Arsenal vs Leeds Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 04/01/2020, 08:35  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 04/01/2020 at 09:36 in FA Cup Prediction

Arsenal have won the FA Cup a record 13 times and might need to do so again if they want European football next season. They begin the year outside of the European places in the Premier League down in 10th place and host Championship leaders Leeds United in the FA Cup third round. The two sides famously met in the 100th cup final, way back in 1972 when Leeds won 1-0. Both clubs are doing their best to recapture the golden days. Arsenal beat Manchester United in their last game, ending a run of five games without a win. It was their first win under Mikel Arteta and he'll be looking for another one here. Plenty of changes will be made but Arsenal have done that in the Europa League and carved out plenty of wins. Another home win for them is important after a poor spell of form at the Emirates. They have a good FA Cup record at home with only two defeats in the last six years.

Leeds United are top of the Championship and winning promotion back to the Premier League is their key aim for this season. They want to be playing teams like Arsenal every week and not need a cup draw to get a game against a Premier League side. United are top on goal difference from West Brom and nine points clear of third place, so promotion is looking distinctly possible. Current form isn't that good though with only one win in their last five games, a crazy 5-4 win at Birmingham City. They have been conceding a fair few goals of late too with 11 let in during the last five matches. Away form has seen Leeds lose three league games this season. You have to go back to 2017 for the last time Leeds won an FA Cup tie and they have lost their last three games in the competition including defeats by non-league Sutton United and League Two Newport County. They will also be fielding a weakened side and with Arsenal having the stronger squad, the tip here is for a home win.