Arsenal v Leeds preview: Prediction, best bet and tips for FA Cup third round tie at the Emirates

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This could well be a Premier League fixture next season if Leeds keep going the way they are, but their quest for the promised land means they're likely to make a lot of changes for the trip south.

Marcelo Bielsa has made changes in cup competitions before and with promotion rivals Fulham and West Brom winning their third round ties and remaining in the FA Cup, there is a feeling that going out may not be the worst thing for their chances.

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As always with these FA Cup third round ties it's all about the team sheets, but the couple of pointers that give Arsenal the advantage are firstly that the changes Arteta can make will still result in a much stronger side than Leeds could hope to put out.

Arteta also has a lot more to prove and the FA Cup is more important to the Gunners than the visitors on this occasion given the league position Leeds find themselves in. They let their promotion bid slip last season and will not want to repeat that again this time around.

The message seems to be getting across to Arsenal from Arteta, with even their defence starting to tighten up in recent games as he's managed the seemingly impossible and got Arsenal to actually enjoy defending.

Best bet:

Arsenal v Leeds United Opta stats

  • This will be the 17th FA Cup match between Arsenal and Leeds and the first since January 2012, when the Gunners won 1-0 in the third round thanks to a goal from Thierry Henry.
  • Leeds have lost five of their last six matches against Arsenal (D1 L5) since a 3-2 win at Highbury in the Premier League in May 2003.
  • Arsenal have been eliminated from two of their last three FA Cup ties, having been eliminated from just one of their previous 22 ties in the competition.
  • Since being relegated from the Premier League in 2004, Leeds have played nine away FA Cup matches against top-flight opponents and won just once, a 1-0 win at Manchester United in January 2010.
  • This is the third time Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has faced a Premier League side in his managerial career – he won both legs of the Last 16 of the 2011-12 Europa League against Manchester United as manager of Athletic Club.

Odds correct as of 1002 GMT on 06/01/20

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