In a first-ever meeting between these two Yorkshire outfits, Leeds United welcome Harrogate Town to Elland Road in one of the ties of the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Leeds are accustomed to facing local rivals in the form of Bradford City and Huddersfield Town, but this will be a new experience for everybody at Elland Road this weekend.
For 1972 winners Leeds, this should be a routine afternoon given the margin between the sides in the pyramid, with the home side top of the Championship, and Harrogate scrapping near the bottom of League Two.
Daniel Farke‘s side are unbeaten in eight matches – winning five – moving to the Championship summit in recent weeks, and staying there despite dropping two points late on at Hull City last weekend.
Promotion matters will be shelved for the time being though, with attention turning to cup matters, and Leeds seeking to advance past the third round for the third season running.
After going out at this stage five years running between 2018 and 2022, Leeds have now reached the fifth round in back-to-back seasons, and they have been handed a favourable draw in the hope of an even better run this time around.
Harrogate’s rise up the divisions in recent years has seen them become regulars in the FA Cup proper, and they will not make the short trip without hope, given that Leeds have only won one of the last five ties they have played against fourth-tier opponents in this competition.
However, the Whites are unbeaten at home in the FA Cup since a defeat to Arsenal in the 2010-11 season, winning three and drawing two of the games here.
The hosts have also progressed from four of their last five FA Cup ties against fellow Yorkshire sides, with the most recent coming against Rotherham United in 2016.
For Harrogate, this will be just the second third-round tie in their history, with the only other ending in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Luton Town in 2022.
