Key Points
- Leeds United travel to Derby County in the FA Cup third round after a late league defeat to Newcastle United.
- Supporters expect a convincing performance and progression, viewing the cup tie as a chance to respond to recent disappointment.
- The clubs renew a long-standing rivalry, with Leeds United historically dominant in head-to-head meetings.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) January 10, 2026 – Leeds United supporters are heading into Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at Derby County with a clear expectation: a strong reaction and safe passage into the next round after a dramatic late defeat in the Premier League.
According to Leeds United’s official match preview, the club begin their 2026 Emirates FA Cup campaign at Pride Park on Sunday lunchtime, just four days after a 4–3 loss to Newcastle United decided deep into stoppage time. The preview notes that the defeat ended a seven-match unbeaten run that had included wins over Chelsea and Crystal Palace and draws against Liverpool, form which has raised hopes among fans that the team can mount a serious cup run this season.
Why are Leeds United fans focused on a response against Derby County?
Leeds United’s own pre-match coverage frames the Newcastle defeat as “cruel” and highlights the impressive sequence of results that preceded it, underlining the sense that the FA Cup tie offers an immediate opportunity to reset momentum. The club’s account of that run – seven games unbeaten, including victories over two established Premier League sides and positive results against Liverpool – has shaped expectations among supporters that the team should assert their top-flight status against lower-division opposition.
As reported by club media staff of Leeds United, the side face Derby County on the back of a “strong run of form in the Premier League,” even with the setback against Newcastle United, and the fixture is presented as the start of a new cup campaign rather than a distraction from league duties. That emphasis has fed into supporter sentiment that a controlled, professional performance is the minimum requirement after the disappointment in midweek.
How does the rivalry and recent form shape fan expectations?
The long-standing rivalry between Leeds United and Derby County is a significant backdrop to the tie. Leeds United’s official preview points out that Derby are the club’s fourth most-frequent opponent in all competitions, behind only Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton, with 115 meetings recorded. Leeds have won 54 of those fixtures and lost 26, a statistical edge that reinforces the belief among fans that their team should be favourites in a one-off cup tie.
Historical FA Cup meetings also favour Leeds United. The club notes that they have won four of the six previous FA Cup encounters between the sides, although they have not been drawn together in the competition since 1996. More recently, last season’s league fixtures between the clubs both went Leeds United’s way: a 2–0 home victory at Elland Road through goals from Joe Rodon and Max Wöber and a 1–0 away win secured by a Brenden Aaronson finish at the end of a “beautiful team move,” as described in the club’s coverage. Those results have set a benchmark that many supporters now expect to see matched or exceeded in the cup.
What is the context around Derby County’s current situation?
Derby County come into the tie as a Championship side sitting 12th in the table after 26 matches, according to Leeds United’s preview and Derby County’s own FA Cup build-up. That mid-table position, combined with inconsistent home form, shapes the perception among Leeds supporters that the Premier League club should dominate the contest.
Derby County’s official channels describe the match as a break from league action and an opportunity to test themselves against top-flight opposition at Pride Park. However, Leeds United’s preview notes that Derby’s home results have been patchy and highlights a recent 2–1 defeat at home to Wrexham, despite a first-half goal from Chile international Ben Brereton Díaz. That setback has been interpreted by many Leeds fans as further evidence that their side should control the tie if they perform to recent Premier League standards.
What are the key stakes and implications of the FA Cup clash?
The match is scheduled for a 12:00 GMT kick-off at Pride Park, with live coverage provided by major broadcasters and football outlets, including fixtures listings from Sky Sports and TNT Sports that confirm the tie as a third-round FA Cup encounter between Derby County and Leeds United. For Leeds United, the game represents both the launch of their cup campaign and a chance to demonstrate resilience after the late defeat to Newcastle United.
Should Leeds United advance, it would reinforce the positive trajectory established by their recent league form and sustain optimism among supporters about a meaningful FA Cup run. Conversely, an early exit to lower-tier opposition would be regarded by many fans as a significant setback, given the club’s current status, historical record against Derby County and the expectations set by their own pre-match messaging.
