The Cobblers travel to Elland Road tonight to take on Leeds United in the First Round of the F.A. Cup with a real underdog tag on them. We would be certain outsiders going into the game even without the injury list that has crept up on us in previous weeks so there's really nothing to lose this evening.
Team News
Andrew Hughes should come back into the Leeds side after recovering from a groin injury but Rui Marques, who scored against the Cobblers in the league last season, and Alan Sheehan both miss out. Young midfielder Josh Falkingham has been given a squad number ahead of the game.
The Cobblers' injury list continues to grow and we will definately be without Adebayo Akinfenwa, Luke Guttridge, Colin Larkin and Abdul Osman while Ryan Gilligan and Liam Davis are both borderline on being fit in time. Loanees Scott McGleish and Nicholas Bignall are set to play, with Bignall set for his Cobblers debut.
Form
Leeds had a difficult month of October that saw them beaten four times in all competitions including a 4-2 defeat at Rotherham in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Peterborough, Millwall and Southend also beat them on their travels but home wins over Brighton, Orient and Walsall kept them in touch at the top. Last weekend, United climbed into the top two with a 1-0 away win at Cheltenham.
The Cobblers have faced three consecutive away games after the home game with Colchester was postponed due to snow. Defeat at Swindon was followed by a good draw at Leicester. But last weekend we were hammered 3-1 by Walsall at the Bescot Stadium and injuries continued to have their effect on the squad.
Recent Meetings
09/02/08: COBBLERS 1-1 LEEDS
Jonathon Howson puts Leeds ahead in the first half but with fifteen minutes to go Adebayo Akinfenwa powered through the visitors' defence to strike a deserved equaliser.
05/01/08: LEEDS 3-0 COBBLERS
The Cobblers are well beaten at Elland Road as Fraser Richardson, Rui Marques and Curtis Weston score the goals to condem us to defeat.
Head to Head
Games Played: 6
Leeds Wins: 3
Draws: 2
Cobblers Wins: 1
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