Salford City vs Leeds United tips: Free-scoring Whites to outclass the Ammies
- George Dempsey
- 28 August 2023
Leeds United will be looking to avoid a second-round shock when they visit Salford City in front of the Sky cameras on Tuesday.
Salford City will welcome Leeds United to Peninsula Stadium in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
Carabao Cup, Tuesday, August 29, Kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
Predicted score
Salford City 1-3 Leeds United
Carabao Cup betting tips
Bet: Over 3.5 goals
Salford City vs Leeds United team news
Matt Smith scored 12 goals in two years at Elland Road and would relish the chance to face his old club. He played 90 minutes at the weekend alongside top-scorer Callum Hendry.
City's first-round hero Connor McLennan could return to the side alongside Ossama Ashley, Ryan Watson and Marcus Dackers, all of whom featured from the bench on Saturday.
Leeds United could opt to rest at least one of Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter, Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra, with Joe Gelhardt and Crysencio Summerville an option.
Leo Hjelde, Charlie Cresswell and in particular Cody Drameh, who came on after 20 minutes and was hooked at half-time, will be desperate for a start.
Salford City vs Leeds United betting preview
Salford City have yet to record a win at home this season, opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Crawley before going down 2-1 to Accrington Stanley last time out.
The level of performance was adequate with the hosts having the majority of the ball and creating 16 chances, but it took until the 88th minute to find the net.
Leeds made a typically shaky start at Portman Road with Joe Rodon's own goal meaning the Whites have now trailed in all five matches they've played, conceding nine goals.
However, Piroe, Rutter, Gnonto and Sinisterra represent serious firepower at this level, and the talented quarter all scored en route to a 4-3 victory.
These two sides last met in 2019 when Premier League-bound Leeds beat the Ammies 3-0 thanks to goals from Gaetano Berardi, Eddie Nketiah and Mateusz Klich.
Both sides made hard work of their first-round ties, with Salford progressing on penalties against Championship opposition in Preston despite leading 2-0 at Deepdale.
Daniel Farke's produced a six-minute turnaround to beat a plucky Shrewsbury Town 2-1 at Elland Road, controlling 77% of possession and firing 21 shots at goal.
Such a stat line has been typical of the German's side this season and whatever strength of team they field on Tuesday, you'd expect their style to take hold and allow them to control the game.
But they've been extremely vulnerable in possession with mistakes on the ball and wandering fullbacks gifting the opposition plenty of opportunity to counter.
The host's game plan will likely look to utilise the likes of Luke Bolton in said spaces out wide, while Smith's size could make him a threat from set pieces.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Salford get on the scoresheet, but there's far too much firepower in this Leeds team and they should be able to handle League Two opposition with ease.
