Harrogate resident and former Leeds United player Danny Mills has shared his prediction for this weekend's big FA Cup clash.
Harrogate Town travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United in the third round tomorrow (Saturday), with kick off at 5:45pm.
Town are 21st in League Two, whilst Leeds are sitting at the top of the Championship - two divisions above.
And Danny Mills, who played for Leeds from 1999 until 2004, said it’ll be a “great day out” for the fans - but he’s not expecting an upset.
Speaking to OLBG, he said:
“It's a great experience for the fans. It's a fantastic experience for the players to play in a stadium of that size and I'm pretty sure Leeds will be sold out for that game.
“It's a great place to go Leeds, I've always said, Leeds when the atmosphere is good and the team is doing well, is one of the best atmospheres that you can ever go to. Simple as that!
“It's technically a local derby - it's only sort of 15 miles down the road. It'll be a great day out.”
Speaking about his prediction for the match, Danny said:
“It might have been slightly different had it been at Harrogate Town. The pitch is slightly different, facilities, stadium, everything is different within that.
“I guess it depends on how many players Leeds rotate or rest. Leeds so far have had spectacular performances, but it's a little bit like when they played under Bielsa, it's a little bit all-out attack, no matter what.
“I've looked at the games and their game management hasn't been great.
“Even when they're up 2-1, with five minutes to go, they've gone and tried to score three or four goals, which is great, It's great for the neutral and great for the fans to see, but sometimes you get caught on the counterattack.
“It'll be a great day out, but I'd be very, very surprised if Harrogate come away with anything but a defeat.”
Danny also spoke about Town boss Simon Weaver, who has been in charge of the first team since 2009.
He said:
“Simon Weaver, who's been manager of Harrogate Town and must be the longest-serving manager in the Football League, as he’s been there forever.
“It probably helps when your dad (Irving Weaver) owns the football club - it probably means you're less likely to get sacked at some point, but again, he's got close links to Leeds and he's been in this area for a long, long time.
“I think it'll be a very, very difficult game for Harrogate Town, but it'll be a great experience.”
Harrogate Town v Leeds United at Elland Road will be broadcasted live on BBC One from 5:45pm tomorrow (Saturday).
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