Emirates FA Cup Preview: Birmingham City vs Leeds United | OneFootball

Following a memorable comeback to draw 2-2 against Chelsea midweek in the Premier League, attentions now turn to the Emirates FA Cup where Leeds United face Sky Bet Championship side Birmingham City away from home in the Fourth Round.

Kicking off the cup journey against Derby County in January, the Whites rallied from down a goal at the half to win comfortably 3-1, with Wilfried Gnonto, Ao Tanaka and James Justin’s goals delivering the victory.

It was another positive result taken from a losing position on Tuesday, as Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor’s goals earned United a valuable point at Stamford Bridge, continuing their bright run in 2026.

Since facing the Rams, Leeds have two wins and two draws in five matches, and in their last 14 matches in all competitions, Daniel Farke’s men have lost just twice – to Arsenal and Newcastle.

During that period, Leeds have amassed big wins against Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Chelsea, in the reverse fixture.

United have an illustrious history in the prestigious FA Cup, having won the centenary edition of the tournament thanks to Allan Clarke’s famous winner against Arsenal in the 1972 final.

Birmingham City also have pedigree in the FA Cup, having reached the semi-finals four times in its early decades and the final twice. There, they lost to West Bromwich Albion in 1931 and Manchester City in 1956, though the club has not made it past the quarter-finals in 51 years.

On their return to the Championship this season, the Blues have represented themselves well and sit in 10th place, just one point off the Play-Off places amid the congestion of mid-table.

For Birmingham City, it would be almost impossible to recreate the highs of last season, when they took the League One title with 111 points, an EFL record and 19 above Wrexham in second place.

But Chris Davies’ men have been up to the challenge of the second tier so far and boast wins over the likes of Coventry City, Millwall and Preston North End.

And, after a difficult December that saw the Blues take just three points from seven matches, the West Midlands side have righted themselves in recent times, winning 15 points and avoiding defeat in their last seven Championship matches.

On Tuesday, they played out a largely quiet 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion. And, in the Third Round of FA Cup action a month ago, Davies’ team defeated League Two Cambridge United 3-2 away.

At St. Andrew’s, the Blues have lost just once in the league this season, 3-2 to Hull City in October, and are sure to pose a real challenge for Farke’s resurgent United.

Leeds and Birmingham have quite a history. The Whites have won 38 and lost 24 of the sides’ 98 matches.

United have emerged victorious in five of the six FA Cup fixtures between the two, dating back to 1972, when Leeds beat Birmingham 3-0 at Hillsborough in the semi-finals of their incredible FA Cup-winning run. That night, Mick Jones and Peter Lorimer – twice – were on the scoresheet.

In the league, Leeds have won three of the sides’ previous four meetings, including another 3-0 victory on New Year’s Day 2024, with Patrick Bamford, Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville scoring and Junior Firpo registering a pair of assists.

And, memorably, the team came away from St. Andrew’s with a chaotic 5-4 win in 2019 thanks to a 95th-minute own goal!

Action from St. Andrew’s gets underway at 12pm.

We’ve met before:

Team news:

Farke told the media he expects to have a very similar squad available following the trip to Stamford Bridge. He did, however, admit the clash comes too soon for Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk who are still making their way back from injury.

How to follow:

Monthly audio subscribers around the world can listen to every minute of Sunday’s fixture LIVE on LUTV. Bryn Law will be joined by Tony Dorigo on commentary. Pre-match build up begins at 11:30am with Simon Grayson and Dom Matteo in the studio! The match has also been selected for television coverage in the UK by TNT Sports.

The view from inside the camp:

Speaking exclusively to Premier League Productions, captain Ethan Ampadu said: “I think it is going to be very difficult.

“The game against Derby was a tight game. Our quality showed at the end. We want to get to the next round, so we want to try and control the game and win the game of football.

“The cup is maybe a little bit like the Play-Offs, it is one game so you know you have to win it. And that is what we are going to try and do.”

Read the full interview HERE.

Important supporter information:

Due to a large number of supporters travelling to Birmingham, for the safety and security of vehicles and ease of spectators, fans are encouraged to park in designated car parks, which can be purchased in advance. More information, including how to book, can be found below.

Entry to the stadium is via the Away carpark on Coventry Road only. At the end of the game however the exit will be via an alternate Gate at the rear of the stadium and this is where all coaches will be parked. This also provides an alternative walking route back to the City Centre.

Please note, road closures outside the venue will be enforced 90 minutes before kick-off. Please follow the stewarding and police directions and we thank you for your cooperation.

Discriminatory language or chanting, including tragedy chanting, is not acceptable, and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.

Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.

What has Daniel Farke said ahead of the match?

League position:

Leeds: 15th (Premier League)

Birmingham: 10th (Championship)

Top scorer:

Leeds: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (10)

Birmingham: Jay Stansfield (9)

Officials:

Referee – Paul Tierney

Assistant Referees – Adrian Holmes & Craig Taylor

Fourth Official – Craig Pawson