Leeds United v Everton: Warnock has eye on another Cup run at Leeds

Leeds United host in-form Everton in what is arguably the tie of the Capital One Cup third round.

The odds are firmly stacked against the Yorkshire club due to a crippling injury list that may well claim two more victims before kick-off with Lee Peltier out and Paddy Kenny possibly joining the United captain in having to sit out the tie.

Everton are also a side bang in form, as underlined by the 10 points David Moyes’s side have collected from their opening five games to sit third in the Premier League table.

Warnock, however, knows better than most how the form-book can be upset with his Sheffield United side claiming a host of Premier League scalps en route to reaching the semi-finals of both the League and FA Cups in 2002-03.

“If you were a betting man,” said the Leeds manager to the Yorkshire Post yesterday, “you would put your money on Everton.

“Even if they make a couple of changes, they will still be strong. I would imagine Everton would be very, very high on the list of potential favourites for this competition.

“Teams like them and Newcastle have a great chance of winning it this year. But, equally, in the Cup upsets do happen and I believe we can give most teams a run for their money.

“We showed on Saturday against Forest (in a game Leeds won 2-1) that if you have the right attitude and good players then anything can happen. There are upsets all the time.”

Warnock is the first to admit that the odds are against his side tonight as they prepare to do battle without not only Peltier but also key players Ross McCormack, David Norris and Paul Green.

Top scorer Luciano Becchio has also been feeling a knock but will be asked to play an hour against what is likely to be a strong Everton side as Moyes looks to continue his side’s encouraging start to the season.

“We are a little bit like the Everton of the Championship,” said Warnock, who has revealed he tried to sign Nikica Jelavic from Rangers when in charge of Queens Park Rangers only to be sacked, which allowed the Merseysiders to nip in.

“They are a hard-working group of players and a club whose first XI would give anyone a game. Just like Everton’s.

“But maybe where we lose four or five players and can’t cope, they are a little bit more geared up this season with a stronger squad than for a few years.

“I spoke to David early doors (after the draw had been made) because I was after one of their players at the time. I said, ‘It is a fabulous tie’. I wasn’t surprised it was picked for television.

“The atmosphere at Elland Road and the players they have got now augurs well. There will be bags of excitement.

“Everton are quite capable of inflicting a heavy defeat on us. But, at the same time, we are quite capable of beating them. I can’t see it being a dull game.”

On the chances of Leeds causing an upset, Warnock added: “I am not being disrespectful but I think you’d fancy it more against one of the glamour clubs. They wouldn’t want to be here.

“Whereas the Everton lads, they could play for Leeds United and it wouldn’t worry them. Everyone of them wouldn’t see the Championship as beneath them.

“That makes it more difficult for us than it would against some Premier League clubs.”

Leeds are in for a tough battle tonight but if Warnock’s side need any inspiration they could do no better than think of the run his Blades side had in the League Cup a decade ago.

After beating then Premier League Leeds in dramatic fashion courtesy of two stoppage-time goals from Phil Jagielka and Peter Ndlovu, the Blades went on to knock Sunderland and Crystal Palace out before beating Liverpool in a semi-final first leg tie at Bramall Lane.

The Reds hit back to win the second leg 2-0 at Anfield. Further disappointment followed in the FA Cup courtesy of a defeat to Arsenal in the last four but only after beating Terry Venables’s Leeds once again at the Lane.

Warnock said: “To beat Premier League teams like we did at Sheffield United that year, you need a bit of luck. You also need to be ready for it and you need to take your chances when they come along. They are the ingredients.

“Cup runs can bring momentum. There is always a team that comes from nowhere to do well. Cardiff did it last year (to reach the final, where they lost on penalties to Liverpool). The draw was kind.

“Some good teams will be going out this round as well.”

Last six games: Leeds United WWDLLW, Everton WWWLDW.

Last time: Leeds United 1 Everton 1; April 13, 2004; Premier League.