FA Cup 3rd round: Moyes to hand Bielsa familiar early exit

Leeds United’s one and only FA Cup title came back in 1972 and, on current form in the competition, it looks like the Whites will have to wait a fair while longer to get their hands on the famous trophy.

Having crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round in all of the last five seasons, it looks set to be another tough afternoon for the injury-plagued side on the road at West Ham United on Sunday.

One step forward, two steps back

Injuries have been the story of Leeds’ season so far this term, with manager Marcelo Bielsa having to cope with a threadbare squad at times.

As the West Yorkshire outfit welcome striker Patrick Bamford back to fitness, Bielsa confirmed on Friday that forward Joe Gelhardt and Tyler Roberts have picked up fresh injuries and will be sidelined for a month.

Leeds continue to try and cope without star England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, while skipper Liam Cooper is also sidelined until March.

With Leeds battling for their Premier League survival this term, and the Whites are 23% in our market to be relegated from the top flight, it’s likely Bielsa will make significant changes to his side for the trip to the capital.

West Ham have greater strength in depth than the visitors and at 1.9 should secure the victory in the 90 minutes at the London Stadium.

West Ham manager David Moyes might well be eyeing a cup run for the Hammers this season

Leeds will have their moments

While West Ham might well run out winners this weekend, expect Leeds to have their moments in the contest.

The Whites were leading against West Ham up until the 69th minute in their Premier League meeting at Elland Road earlier this season, before losing the encounter 2-1.

West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last five games in all competitions, so this could be a high-scoring game at the London Stadium.

The 2.08 on offer for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in the game looks to be good value in a match where there will be plenty of chances.

Hammers can hit on the break

Known as a side that have an aerial presence and a serious threat from set-pieces, West Ham also have the pace to hit teams on the counter attack.

If Leeds do find themselves behind at the break, Bielsa won’t have any issue introducing attacking players from the bench.

This would leave the Whites even more vulnerable at the back and West Ham might well profit.

It would be no surprise to see the Hammers find the back of the net in both halves and they are 2.66 to achieve this, in what should be an exciting FA Cup showdown in the capital.

Recommended Bets:

West Ham to win at 1.9

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 2.08

West Ham to score in both halves 2.66