Chris Sutton anticipates Javi Gracia to rest key players for Leeds United's FA Cup fifth round tie against Fulham, as he predicts the Whites' journey in the competition to end at Craven Cottage.
Gracia marked his debut with a 1-0 victory over Southampton at Elland Road. Leeds ended their 10-match winless run in the Premier League, and climbed out of the relegation zone in the process.
The Whites have eliminated Cardiff City and Accrington Stanley respectively to reach this stage of the competition for the first time since 2016.
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But Sutton expects Gracia to keep his players fresh for the upcoming league game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, as the Spaniard aims to keep Leeds in the Premier League.
Therefore, the former Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Celtic forward has predicted Fulham to run out 2-0 winners on Tuesday under the lights.
“Leeds got the victory they had been waiting for on Saturday, in Javi Gracia’s first game in charge," Sutton wrote on his BBC Sport predictions column.
“Avoiding relegation is clearly going to be Gracia’s priority from here – they are away at Chelsea on Saturday in their next league match and they will see that as being winnable.
“So, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gracia rest some of his players and, on that basis, you have to fancy Fulham to progress.
“It doesn’t always work out as simply as that, of course, but Fulham do not have to worry about going down so they can view the FA Cup differently. I’m expecting them to give this a bit more of a go, and they certainly should do.”
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