Accrington v Leeds predictions: Marsch's men can avoid Stanley shock

Where to watch

BBC One, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Leeds and under 4.5 goals
2pts 3-4 BoyleSports, Coral

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Team news

Accrington
Michael Nottingham has joined Seamus Conneely, Matt Lowe, Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Mohammed Sangare, Mitch Clark and Joe Pritchard in a crowded treatment room.

Leeds
Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray, Crysensio Summerville and Stuart Dallasmiss out and Liam Cooper and Tyler Adams are doubts.

Match preview

Leeds have not won a major knockout competition since lifting the FA Cup in 1972 but they should have no problem easing to victory over League One strugglers Accrington in their FA Cup fourth-round clash at the Wham Stadium.

From an Accrington perspective the contest is among the most glamourous in their history.

Stanley manager John Coleman has done an incredible job over two separate spells spanning 21 years, leading them from the Northern Premier League Division One to League One.

The 60-year-old has presided over four promotions and no relegations, although he has a battle on his hands this season with Accrington in 20th place – just one point above the drop zone.

Coleman's task has been made more difficult by injuries but his players have been digging deep and came through an FA Cup third-round replay at home to Boreham Wood on Tuesday, winning 1-0 after extra-time.

Towering defender Michael Nottingham was added to the pool of absentees when he was forced off in the first half against Boreham Wood, but Accrington reorganised and Tommy Leigh's penalty secured them a deserved success.

Reaching the fourth round equals Accrington's best effort in the competition, but facing Leeds looks a huge challenge.

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch has injury concerns over captain Liam Cooper and key midfielder Tyler Adams.

But he went with a strong side for the third round replay at home to Cardiff, helping his team seal a 5-2 success, and has little need to make wholesale changes for the trip to Accrington which comes in the middle of a two-week break from Premier League action.

Leeds are facing a possibility of another relegation battle, but action has been taken to strengthen the squad with defender Max Wober arriving from Salzburg and winger Georginio Rutter joining from Hoffenheim.

Wober has settled in straight away – featuring in each of the last four games – while Rutter is being prepped for his first taste of action this weekend.

Marsch needs to balance the needs of new signings and fringe men with the importance of the game and he will also be aware that his position is far from watertight.

The American's main focus will be on securing a place in the next round and that should be achieved in a reasonably comfortable fashion.

Key stat

Eleven of Accrington's 12 defeats this season have featured fewer than five goals

Probable teams

Accrington (3-1-4-2): Savin; Astley, Tharme, Rodgers; Coyle; Quirk, Martin, Hamilton, McConville; Whalley, Leigh.
Subs: Jensen, Perritt, Longelo, Adekoya, Woods, Fernandes, Pressley, Nolan, Pickles.

Leeds (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Kristensen, Wober, Firpo; Greenwood, Roca; Rutter, Harrison, Sinisterra, Bamford.
Subs: Robles, Llorente, Ayling, Struijk, Gnonto, Aaronson, Rodrigo, Cooper, Adams.

Inside info

Accrington

Penalty taker Tommy Leigh
Assist ace Sean McConville
Set-piece aerial threat Ryan Astley
Card magnet Liam Coyle

Leeds

Penalty taker Patrick Bamford
Assist ace Jack Harrison
Set-piece aerial threat Robin Koch
Card magnet Robin Koch

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