Birmingham City v Leeds United Match Thread
Sunday 15th February@12:00 | St Andrews
Leeds United head to St Andrews on Sunday for a tricky fourth‑round FA Cup tie against Championship play off hopefuls Birmingham City. The two clubs have produced more than a handful of feisty duels over the years, but for both bosses the fixture is more an inconvenience than a genuine pathway to the last 16. Leeds boss Daniel Farke has been blunt in his pre‑match briefing: Premier League survival is the priority and he will not gamble on any player who harbours doubts about their fitness. Consequently, midfield workhorses Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk will sit out, still completing their rehabilitation programmes, while striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin, who has just shaken off an illness, is back in contention.
Farke reiterated that the league remains the “priority” for the Whites, but refused to treat the cup as a sacrificial lamb. “We are big believers in cup competitions,” he said, adding that Birmingham “have a quality group of players and definitely have a chance of being promoted.” The Blues sit a solitary point outside the play‑off places, riding an eight‑game unbeaten run (five wins, three draws) that has seen them unbeaten in every competition since New Year’s Day. Their home record at St Andrews is likewise impressive; only one loss in sixteen second‑tier fixtures this season, and they will be hungry to extend that run.
For Leeds, Sunday offers a chance to hand fringe players a meaningful test. Expected starters include Dan James, back from a long‑term injury, Joel Piroe, AO Tanaka, Sean Longstaff, Sam Byram and Wilfred Gnonto. The inclusion of former Chelsea midfielder Facundo Buonanotte is now possible after the FA relaxed its cup‑tie rules, allowing a player to represent two clubs in the competition. Between the sticks the decision is less clear‑cut; Lucas Perri was dropped after the Newcastle match in favour of Karl Darlow, and Farke has a habit of rotating his reserve goalkeeper for cup ties, so the final call will be watched closely.
Chris Davies' side have only lost once at St Andrews in their last sixteen games; and will be desperate to put up a good fight. He has several selection dilemmas. Winger Demarai Gray, who returned from a calf knock to feature against West Brom, is likely to start, while Paik Seung‑ho suffers his second shoulder injury of the campaign. Long‑term absences continue to bite, with Ethan Laird (hamstring), Alex Cochrane (ankle) and Lee Buchanan (knee) are all still on the side-lines.