MY ACCOUNT
– Fulham are on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions
– Leeds have won just one of their last five
– Recommended bet: Fulham to win
Two Premier League teams with contrasting aspirations for the rest of the season, Fulham and Leeds, meet on Tuesday with a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup up for grabs.
Before a ball was kicked this term both would have been focusing on survival in the top flight but the Cottagers have risen up to contend for a shock European place while Leeds are in the relegation scrap.
They can forget about their league aims on Tuesday night, though, and try to sustain a cup run when they clash in the fifth round at Craven Cottage in what should be a tight tie, but it is one the home side can edge in normal time.
Team news
Fulham duo Tom Cairney and Neeskens Kebano remain out injured, while leading goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic has been struggling with a thigh problem recently and is facing a race against time to be fit.
Marco Silva is expected to rotate his line-up with the likes of Marek Rodak, Harry Wilson, Shane Duffy, Tosin Adarabioyo and Layvin Kurzawa all pushing for starts.
Leeds are also set to make changes as they prioritise their league campaign so fringe players like Joel Robles, Marc Roca, Sam Greenwood and Rasmus Kristensen are vying for contention to start, as are recent signing Georginio Rutter and youngster Darko Gyabi.
Rodrigo, Archie Gray, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas remain on the injured list, while Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk are major doubts for the visitors.
The stats
Fulham forward Manor Soloman, on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, has scored in each of his last three games, netting against Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Wolves.
The two sides have already met in the Premier League this season, Fulham winning an entertaining game at Elland Road 3-2 in October.
That win for the Cottagers was their first in five games against Leeds, with the Whites winning the previous four between the two sides, one of which was a League Cup tie on penalties.
Prediction
Considering Fulham have already beaten Leeds and their respective, contrasting, league positions this season, backing a home win in normal time seems logical.
Leeds did get the new manager bounce when Javi Gracia won his first game in charge at the weekend – a tense and much-needed 1-0 success at home against fellow strugglers Southampton – but they remain unpredictable and especially so with a new man in charge.
However, the visitors are likely to focus on staying up, with a long cup run lower down the priority list, so Fulham can capitalise.
Silva’s men, too, could be forgiven for putting more emphasis on their league campaign with a top-six finish possible, but their impressive recent form suggests this will be a home win, backed up by the fact the Cottagers have lost just one of their last seven at home – a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Back Fulham to win in full-time result at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet.
