Kettering Town v Leeds United
England : FA Cup : 2nd Round
Rockingham Road, Kettering
Sunday 29th November 2009 - Kickoff 1.45pm

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Kettering (4-4-3 16:10)

This game has everything you need for a classic FA Cup giantkilling. Kettering beat league sides in the FA Cup last year and they have the scalp of league side Hartlepool under their belt already this season.

This is a team that should never be underestimated, especially at home. They are tough, gritty, and Rockingham Road is a classically unfashionable 1970's style ground.

But its been a hell of a month for the Poppies. Ground problems, disputes with councils, public spats with the conference board. The Chairman has this week announced the club has weeks to survive unless things change.

Crucially from a football perspective, they have also lost manager Mark Cooper, a highly rated manager at this level, who has gone to Championship Peterborough. The fact that he took centre half Exodus Geohagen with him tells you how importsnt he felt the towering centre half was to Ketterings success. They have also lost key forward Francis Green to Oxford.

Veteran goalkeeper Lee Harper has been promoted to player/manager, and he has struggled to steady the ship since taking control. Losing important players has not helped, but trying to play in goal and manage simultaneously can’t be easy for an inexperienced manager either. So far Harper has only managed to oversee two home defeats.

On the positive side, the club has brought in five loanees in the
last week, its expected that all but one of these ( Craig Dobson) will be eligible to play on Sunday.

Kettering Town Team News :
Kettering can play four of their new loanees but miss midfielder Dance (cuptied) and Jennings (cup tied).

Of these loan arrivals, full back Sol Davis could be important for Kettering as manager Lee Harper said on Thursday that he only has three fit defenders. It isn’t clear whether he was including the new players in that statement.

Leeds United (6-1-1 14:4)

Leeds are finally finding their feet in League One under Simon Grayson and are pulling clear at the top of the table. Six wins out of seven is an excellent away record in a league with some big contrasts in grounds and facilities, and so a visit to Kettering’s 1970’s style ground should not be too much of a shock for Leeds.

Leeds were on the end of an embarrassing FA Cup giant killing last season at Histon, and this game bears a lot of similarities. However Leeds showed in the last round victory at Oldham that they are taking the competition seriously enough to avoid another humiliation.

Leeds United Team News :
Leeds have three new loan signings themselves, but only Tony Capaldi can play. Andrew Hughes, Sam Vokes and Max Gradel all miss out. Becchio might play after injury.

The Betting Verdict :

This game has been picked for the television cameras for two reasons: to take advantage of the large Leeds support who cannot get a ticket, and for its upset potential.

This game has all the makings of an old fashioned FA Cup giant killing. Kettering have recent success in the conference and against league sides in the cup, are tough and organised at home, they have the classic throwback ground. Throw in Leeds have embarrassment at Histon this time last season and everything is in place for a famous Kettering victory.

However, Kettering’s recent successes have been under different, more experienced management and with a more settled squad. If Kettering do have defensive problems, Leeds certainly have the firepower to take advantage.

It is these factors that should swing it for Leeds, against a Kettering side reeling from changes in management and playing staff.

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Kettering 10% - Draw 20% - Leeds United 70%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take LEEDS UNITED to win.