West Ham and Leeds United meet in an FA Cup tie where both teams’ focus may be split.
Relegation Battle Weighs on Both Teams
The most intriguing thing about this tie is how both teams are going to approach it.
They are both in the thick of the relegation battle at the bottom of the table and will surely have at least one eye on that, rather than being fully focused on the FA Cup.
Leeds don’t play in the league until the following Monday, when they go to Old Trafford, but West Ham are back in action on Friday, at home to bottom side Wolves.
Wolves Game a Priority for West Ham
Out of the two games, Wolves is surely the one that Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo will prioritise, because it has to be seen as ‘must win’ for them.
You could argue Leeds manager Daniel Farke will do the same before his side play Manchester United too.
Sutton’s Prediction: Extra Time Needed
The one thing both teams definitely don’t want here is extra time, and what usually happens in that scenario is that the tie goes the distance.
So, that’s what I am going to say we will see here, too. You won’t be able to split the teams over 90 minutes, but then Leeds will be the ones who find a winner.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2 (after extra time)