Key events
I’ve had a guess at a Leeds formation but they’ve got so many attacking players in their team that we’ll have to wait until kick-off to be sure.
There are two attack-minded wingers (Gnonto and Harrison) and another three forwards (Okafor, Nmecha and Piroe), with no recognised full-backs in the XI.
Starting lineups
The teams are in from Pride Park:
Derby (4-4-1-1): Zetterström; Ward, Langås, Batth, Forsyth; Brereton Díaz, Travis, Fraulo, Blackett-Taylor; Clark; Salvesen
Subs: O’Donnell, Agyemang, Brewster, Weimann, Ozoh, Elder, Adams, Nelson, Eames.
Leeds (3-4-3): Darlow; Bornauw, Bijol, Ampadu; Gnonto, Gruev, Tanaka, Harrison; Okafor, Piroe, Nmecha.
Subs: Perri, Byram, Justin, Struijk, Longstaff, Stach, Aaronson, Chambers, Calvert-Lewin.
Preamble
As the defender Callum Elder described it this week, Derby v Leeds is “an amazing fixture”. Stuffed full of history and storylines, from the scraps of the 70s to the spy plots of Bielsa and Lampard, it is a game that never lacks a bit of needle. The rivalry renews in the FA Cup this lunchtime as John Eustace’s Championship side take on Daniel Farke’s Premier League team at Pride Park, where Elder expects a “fierce atmosphere”.
Derby haven’t beaten Leeds since those infamous 2019 Championship playoffs and will look to do so today in this midday kick-off. A spot in the fourth round is at stake.
You can get in touch with me with your thoughts on today’s game, or memories of previous meetings, via this email. Team news is coming up shortly.
#Derby #Leeds #United #Cup #live #Cup
