English FA CUP
2013-01-27 - Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English FA Cup Fourth Round
Sunday 27 January 2013 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Leeds United
The first point of call for Leeds United is trying to find a way of being promoted to the Premier League and they once again get a chance to test themselves against a team from that Division. Leeds had to win a replay at Birmingham City in the last Round to get through to this attractive looking tie, one of the ones that some are looking at as a potential shock result.
Neil Warnock will relish the chance of playing against Tottenham Hotspur, although he will want a better result than the 1-5 loss to Chelsea here in the Capital One Cup earlier this season. Leeds haven't had a deep run in the FA Cup in some time although recent seasons have seen them pick up some big results, including a win at Old Trafford and draws at White Hart Lane and the Emirates Stadium. The side have not won any of their last 7 home ties in the FA Cup.
Leeds come into this game with only 1 loss from their last 5 games in all competitions so there should be some confidence going into this live game. They are unbeaten in their last 4 home games since their loss to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup while Leeds have won 6 of their last 8 home games in all competitions.
Tottenham Hotspur
A late goal against Manchester United earned Tottenham Hotspur a big point last weekend and their bid for a Champions League place is still very much on course. Now they will concentrate on the FA Cup and Andre Villas-Boas is a manager that has shown his hand in the Cup competitions during his brief time in England. The manager clearly is of the belief that any silverware is a good thing for a club and that showed from team selections in the Cups this season.
Tottenham Hotspur played a strong team in their 3-0 win over Coventry City in the last Round as all the goals were scored in the first half of an easy win. Spurs have always had a proud history in the FA Cup and they have reached the Semi Final in 2 of the last 3 seasons, including last season when they lost to eventual winners Chelsea. However, their away form has not been so good in the competition in recent seasons and Spurs have won just 2 of their last 8 away ties.
The late equaliser against Manchester United means Spurs are now unbeaten in their last 8 games in all competitions and have lost just 1 of their last 14 games. Tottenham have lost just 1 of their last 6 away games, that coming thanks to 2 late goals by Everton, and they have won 3 of those games although only earning a 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers last time out.
Sandro has been ruled out for the rest of the season and William Gallas is another doubt. Emmanuel Adebayor is still with Togo at the African Cup of Nations.
Head to Head
Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur last met one another in the 2009 FA Cup and that tie ended with a 1-3 win for Spurs at Elland Road following a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 3 visits to Elland Road, and they have won on their last 2 visits.
Spurs have also won 3 of the 4 FA Cup ties played between these sides, although it should be noted that all 3 winning ties have come after replays.
Prediction
While there is a potential for a surprise result here with the Championship side hosting a Premier League one, it has to be said that Elland Road is not a traditional 'lower League' ground and that should allow Tottenham Hotspur the space to win the game.
Leeds United are a hard-working side that will cause problems, as they did for Chelsea for 45 minutes, but Spurs are playing very well at the moment and are a tough team to host with the speed they have on the counter.
It could be close for a while I imagine, but Andre Villas-Boas is clearly a manager that wants to win something and he played a strong team in the last Round and you have to think he will do the same here.
Leeds rarely fail to score at home and it would be no surprise to see them do the same again here, but Spurs should be a little too solid and I like them to win this one.
The Pick :
Leeds United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
