Leeds United vs. Newport County preview: The Carabao Cup Continues
The Exiles are exiled to Elland Road for their home cup tie, but the Whites should triumph, injuries and other questions aside.
Tuesday night delivers a dilemma to Elland Road in the shape of the Second Round of the Carabao Cup, a 7:45pm fixture against Newport County.
The dilemma is a familiar one: on the one hand, playing lower-league opposition offers up an opportunity for Leeds United to progress into round three and meet one of the Premiership teams, as well as build momentum with another win while giving playing time to those that might need it. On the other hand, however, as the Whites’ squad is currently depleted in key positions, is it worth risking players in what could be a fruitless fantasy of cup glory and before an important league game away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday?
Whatever stance Thomas Christiansen takes, (and I suspect he’ll consider the latter) history will be made. This is the first-ever meeting between the two sides in the League Cup and only the second-ever meeting in all competitions.
Drawn at home, Newport County switched this game to Elland Road due to renovation works at their Rodney Parade ground. And, in yet another PR win, Leeds United Chairman Andrea Radrizzani agreed to Newport keeping their percentage of the gate receipts. County will be expected to play in their home strip of Yellow and black, which will allow Leeds to wear their famous white strip, if chosen.
County will not be taking this game lightly. They will be well aware of the injury woes at Elland Road and could fancy their chances. This fixture for their fans is a highlight, and at time of writing, they have sold nearly 600 tickets, which is more than that of Preston and Fulham.
What we know about Newport County
They have only played Leeds United once previously... and that was in 1949,at Elland Road, where they turned out victors in a 1–3 reversal in the FA Cup.
By playing this tie at Elland Road, they are living up to their nickname of the ‘Exiles’.
They won the Welsh Cup in 1980 and qualified for the UEFA Cup of 1980/81, reaching the quarter finals. The club were relegated from the football league and folded in 1989. However, in true footballing spirit, they reformed and fought their way back into the league in 2013.
They narrowly avoided relegation from the football league again on the very last day of last season. An 89th minute winner in a 2–1 home win against Notts County ensured they finished 22nd in League Two.
Key battle
I expect Newport Manager Micky Flynn to get men behind the ball and use a counter attack and long ball game. I would think Flynn would try and stifle any build up play from Leeds with the formation he chooses, possibly bringing on pacier players as the game progresses and defenders’ legs get weary.
County added attacking strength to their side just last week in the shape of Joe Quigley, on loan from Bournemouth, a big addition for them. At 6 foot 3 inch, I expect a few balls over the top to him, cutting out our defensive midfielders from the game.
Additionally, the Exiles’ top scorer with 3 goals is the pacey 20 year old Shawn McCoulsky. He will be looking to hit on the break, seeking to exploit any weak spots in United’s unfamiliar defensive line up.
If I had to guess, United’s back four will likely be Ayling, Shaughnessy, Cooper and Anita. The key battle will be between these four and how Quigley and McCoulsky are deployed.
Personal battle
One man who could be faced with a personal battle is Souleymane Doukara. Light on attackers, Thomas Christiansen may choose to bring back Doukara to the line up. If so, it could be his one chance to shine and regain a place in the Leeds United squad. He will have to overcome his disappointment at being left out of United’s encouraging start to the season… if not, a move before the end of August would not surprise.
Form
Leeds United (all competitions): W3 D2 L0
Newport County (all competitions): W2 D2
WHAT
Newport County vs. Leeds United
Carabao Cup Second Round
WHERE
Elland Road, Leeds
LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds
WHEN
Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017
7:45 pm BT
WHO
Leeds United predicted starting XI
Green, Ayling, Shaughnessy, Cooper, Anita, Klich, Vieira, Dallas, Roofe, Sacko, Doukara
Newport County predicted starting XI
Day, O’Brien, White, Demetriou, Pipe, Dolan, Labadie, Bennett, Wilmott, McCoulsky, Quigley
ODDS
Leeds 4/11
Draw 19/5
Newport 7/1
PREDICTION
This is a cup game, and for a side with injuries and who have lost their main striker, the line up is hard to predict. Even with United’s good start to the season, County can likely sense an upset and need a lucrative cup run more than the Whites do right now. I actually think this game will be closer than the odds suggest, but should we need them, I predict Saiz and Alioski will be on the bench to ensure safe passage. 2–0 Leeds.
