Leeds United

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Daniel Farke now has the highest win percentage of any manager in Leeds United's history and a run of nine consecutive victories has not been seen by a Leeds team since 1931.

But it will be another record that the German is eyeing up this week, as the Peacocks have never - in all their storied battles - beaten bitter rivals Chelsea in a cup competition.

The rivalry was born in the 1960s. Don Revie's dour northerners drank bitter and played bingo. Dave Sexton's Chelsea side were the flashy frequenters of London's West End. Both teams were notoriously aggressive and as the rivalry intensified - with increasing brutality - the battles became box office.

The 1970 FA Cup final, the sixth most-watched televised broadcast in UK history, took the hatred global.

In the replay, Billy Bremner was kicked in the head, Norman Hunter and Ian Hutchinson had a fist-fight and Jack Charlton headbutted Peter Osgood. A solitary yellow card was recorded. When David Elleray re-refereed the match in 1997, he issued six red cards and 20 bookings.

In the 12 cup matches contested between the sides, the best United have done is four draws. Leeds will have to break records again to beat Chelsea, but Farke is making a habit of that.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Image source, Getty Images

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix says "there's no reason" why Leeds can't beat Chelsea on Wednesday to reach the FA Cup quarter-final.

"In my heart we can easily beat Chelsea because we're in good form and we've scored loads of goals this year," he told the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet Podcast.

"There's no reason we can't give them a good game. They've had two less days rest but they've got loads of players, so it will be interesting to see who they play.

"If Leeds get at them early doors then they will have to be pushing us back."

So will Chelsea, who lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool on Sunday, be a tough test for Daniel Farke's men?

"They've just blown a mega chance there [to win a trophy] and as a club they are going to be really hurting," added Adam Pope.

"So are they going to be more motivated to try and win the FA Cup now? It would be silly if Pochettino weakened his side too much to play Leeds."

Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Were you part of the "incredible" scenes at Elland Road after Leeds' comeback victory over Leicester City?

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the panel discuss the "almost unprecedented" atmosphere, picture putting the scene into Game of Thrones and get Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix to reflect on hearing his band's anthem reverberate around the stadium.

Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

It is 21 years since Leeds United last made the quarter finals of the FA Cup. Boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before the Whites travel to play losing Carabao Cup finalists Chelsea on Tuesday night.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Farke said he has recovered from the adrenaline of beating leaders Leicester on Friday: "After such a game, I'm always very tired. I need a bit of relax time on the sofa, to get levelled again. We're heading into a pretty busy period now. It was important in the last two days to calm the load and clear heads."

• Leeds are 12 games unbeaten but Farke does not see that as a psychological advantage, even given Chelsea's defeat at Wembley: "I don't think so. I expect an opponent who will be very focused on this game. It's their best chance to play in Europe. But for us it's also a big game. We'd like to extend our cup run."

• Patrick Bamford is a doubt with minor calf and ankle injuries while Crysencio Summerville has rolled an ankle. Dan James is in contention despite a "little bruise" and a hip flexor problem for Georginio Rutter means there will be a late call on his fitness.

• However, defender Sam Byram is back in training and Farke indicated that he should be in the squad.

• Farke said Leeds were managing Summerville's load given his importance to the side's success: "He gets many hits and knocks because of the way he plays. We need his bravery on the ball. [In] recent weeks, it’s been a bit stop and go for him in training. They have not been ideal."

• On an intense schedule between now and Friday, 8 March: "I'd prefer to have this game in different circumstances - not four games in 10 days and three league games in six [days]. It's a bit unlucky. I'd like to be able to concentrate even more on this game. But you have to take things as they are."

Joe Wilkinson opens up to Patrick Bamford on the struggles of being an up-and-coming comedian.

Listen to more from Bamford on the My Mate's A Footballer podcast here

English midfielder Jack Harrison wants to turn his loan move from Leeds United to Everton into a permanent deal in the summer, even if the Elland Road side are promoted back to the Premier League. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Tom Gayle
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter at Elland Road

Image source, Getty Images

For 77 minutes Archie Gray was experiencing what was surely one of the toughest games of his fledgling career.

Now the 17-year-old is quick, and surprisingly strong, given his age and slight stature. Yet he was no match for Stephy Mavididi, who prior to being substituted in 78th minute, had the youngster on toast.

On multiple occasions Leicester exploited Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s ability to caress a range of pin point through balls, which Mavididi was always first to, and would go onto either out muscle, or leave Gray chasing his shadow.

On another night it could have been Mavididi creating headlines, especially had he put away the one-on-one chance just before the hour mark, and given his side the breathing space they needed.

I won’t be the first or last to say Gray’s maturity is beyond his years. This performance was a clear example. Despite his defensive difficulties, the teenager never once hid, stuck to his task, and took any opportunity he could to get up the pitch and support the Leeds attack.

He’ll no doubt score better goals in his career, but what a way to get started. Putting your team in front, under the Elland Road lights, in front of 36,000, in the biggest game of the Championship season so far, with your family watching on from the stands.

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Elland Road awaits Leicester City in a top-of-the-table contest on Friday, exactly two months on from Leeds' 4-0 win against Ipswich. Leeds were 13 points behind Leicester before that game, but now they are looking to go just six points behind with 12 matches remaining.

Following Saturday's trip to Plymouth - my neck is still sore from the pile-on after Georginio Rutter's goal - Leeds have won eight successive league games for the first time since 1931.

It is testament to Daniel Farke's record-breaking campaign, as he became the first Leeds United manager to go 18 straight home games unbeaten in their debut season, and the first to win more than four games at the start of a calendar year.

The narrative that Leeds have had it easy frustrates me. People forget that we were a complete mess in August. A haul of 69 points after 33 games would have us top in most other seasons, but this just happens to be the most competitive top four in Championship history.

It is funny - you go through a bad break-up and think it is impossible to love again, but then you do. Farke is writing himself into the Leeds United history books and, with players like Patrick Bamford and Daniel James thriving again, I hope it will be much to the compersion of a certain 68-year-old Argentine in Uruguay.

Southampton were a point behind us before their 25-game unbeaten run, but they ended it two points behind us with a game in hand against Hull. Having lost that game in hand on Tuesday, Leeds - for the first time this season - are now in the driver's seat for automatic promotion.

All eyes are on Friday night.

Lewis Deighton can be found at LUFC Lewis, external

Leeds United reduced the gap at the top of the Championship table to nine points with their 2-0 win against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, and Daniel Farke's side will be hoping to further close in on leaders Leicester City when the top two teams face each other at Elland Road on Friday (20:00 GMT).

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix has been previewing the "massive game" on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast: "I think when we beat them before [earlier this season], they lost the game after that and lost a couple in a row, but that's all they have done. They are on an amazing run.

"Usually you would say a 'free hit' is about playing Manchester City, when we were in the Premier League or whatever, and seeing whatever happens. But I think it's going to be a little bit like that on Friday because they are way ahead. If they win, it's not like 'someone is going to catch us'.

"They are kind of gone. If we can catch them, then amazing. I think, just because of our amazing run of form, that we can afford to lose. It's completely in our hands at the moment, and you feel like Southampton and Ipswich won't win every game until the end of the season.

"Hopefully we can just go in to win and play our football. If we were still three points behind Southampton, or six points behind like we were at points, then it does become a stressed, must-win game. I just feel like we just need to go in and see what happens basically."

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope added: "I don't think you're really going to change much coming into the game. Personnel-wise, there's not too many people you can change anyway. He's already ruled out [Patrick] Bamford and [Sam] Byram, so I don't see him changing it.

"That winning team, and hence winning formula, means that we should really stick with it, unless injuries say otherwise. The thing is, if they win the game and they pull Leicester in, it might make Leicester quiver a little bit.

"Daniel [Farke] was asked, after the last game, if Leicester are catchable and he said they will finish in the top two regardless, so he didn't rule it out. I bet you in his head he is still thinking that they can win this title."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Substitute the Fox for the Vixen and the Championship has its very own version of the popular TV quiz show 'The Chase'.

Leicester City playing the role of the Beast as professional chaser trying to prevent Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Southampton from taking the lucrative first prize.

The title, let alone promotion, looks like Leicester's to lose, with Enzo Maresca's side sitting nine points clear with 13 games left. When asked the question, they have only slipped up on five occasions, notably to Leeds but remarkably twice to mid-table Middlesbrough after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the King Power.

Ahead of that unexpected result, United had seen off Plymouth Argyle in a filthy early kick-off, after which Farke was asked whether the Foxes could still be caught. He said: "It depends a bit what happens this afternoon and perhaps next Friday. They are also crucial days. But you have to say Leicester are there with such a points tally at the moment that they will finish in the top two.

"If a different team can finish in the number one position it depends probably on the next couple of weeks."

The race for the title is definitely on but Farke is not obsessed by it and has said: "It's nice to have something in the cupboard or the club museum. It's also a nice feeling to lift the trophy, but the main topic is to be there with promotion."

When United's eight-match winning run began with a 3-0 win over Birmingham City, the Whites were 17 points and three places behind leaders Leicester. Now in second, they are looking to equal a 92-year-old club record of nine straight league wins when they host the Foxes on Friday and, in doing so, close the gap to six points.

Farke said the table would have to swing in these weeks. It has and that momentum is with his side, who are very much enjoying the chase. It is all set for an epic night in Leeds where Enzo, which translates as "home ruler", will be up against someone who knows exactly what that means when the Foxes try to be the first side to beat Farke in the bear pit of Elland Road.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Leeds United host Leicester City in the Championship.

You have to go back to the 1931-32 season for the last time United won nine league games in a row - and they face the stiffest of challenges against the leaders at Elland Road on Friday (20:00 GMT kick-off).

Here are the key lines from the Whites boss:

• Striker Patrick Bamford has an outside chance of recovering from a hamstring problem. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow is fit again after a thumb injury and Jaidon Anthony is available after a personal issue. Sam Byram (muscle) is expected to return next week and Pascal Struijk (abductor) can increase his training load after having positive results of a re-scan.

• Asked how Leeds make the most of a potential momentum swing following defeats this week for Leicester and Southampton, Farke said: "We want to use our own momentum. We've delivered top consistency this year. Each game has the same value. I know this is a spotlight game but in 46, you always have the chance to win one or three points."

• Eight games ago the gulf between Leeds and the Foxes was 17 points and the Whites now have the chance to narrow that to six. But Farke said: "I was never concentrated on the points gap to Leicester. Even now, I'm not too bothered. They still have everything in their hands. What I like is our consistency and performance levels. Even if we win this game, [Leicester] will definitely finish in the top two."

• On whether he feels Leeds are the best team: "I think you are just allowed to speak about this topic after the season. The team who wins the title are definitely the best and the most consistent in the league. In this moment, you have to say credit to Leicester. So far, they are the most consistent side in this league - otherwise they wouldn't be in position one."

• Asked how much he enjoys it when the top two sides in a league go head to head, the German replied: "It's important not to be overmotivated for a game like this."

• On potentially challenging for a title again having done it twice with Norwich City: "It's nice to win silverware... I’ve had that feeling. But the result is the same if you finish second - promotion to the Premier League."

• He said finishing first gives you no advantage the following season, highlighting the case of Aston Villa, who were promoted via the play-offs and then spent what was required to stay in the top flight.