Newport County and Leeds United lock horns in an FA Cup Third Round clash at Rodney Parade on Sunday at noon.
Both will be content with their domestic campaigns so far as the Welsh side are three points off the play-offs in League Two following a great escape last term, while the Whites sit in the top six.
Having lost 5-1 at Elland Road in August’s League Cup tie, The Exiles have unfinished business with the West Yorkshire outfit and so does manager Michael Flynn; he netted an excellent goal against them for rivals Bradford back in 2011 but was on the losing side.
Match odds
Newport are 7/2 (4.5) to be the first League Two team to defeat a Championship side in this competition since Rochdale, who themselves beat Leeds in January 2014.
The Amber Army have drawn three of their last six while the visitors were held to a 0-0 draw by Nottingham Forest last time out and another tie is 14/5 (3.8).
Leeds, meanwhile, are 3/4 (1.75) to assert their dominance and record a 16th win of the campaign in all competitions.
Team News
Newport normally play a 3-5-2 and should field almost the same side that beat Exeter City 2-1 on New Year's Day. Forward Shawn McCoulsky – 13/5 (3.6) to score anytime – could come in for Padraig Amond to offer extra pace on the break and partner Frank Nouble, who is 12/5 (3.4) for his eighth of the campaign.
Thomas Christiansen is expected to make wholesale changes but even a second-string side could include the likes of winger Pawel Cibicki and target man Pierre-Michel Lasogga, the latter being 13/8 (2.63) to add to his five-goal tally.
The head coach confirmed that left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson will start for the first time since October, while right-back Luke Ayling is unlikely to be risked after injury with Vurnon Anita available.
Second-half surge for Leeds
Leeds should have the strength in depth to avoid another FA Cup exit at the hands of lower league opposition having been defeated at Sutton United last term, and their bench could include stars Samuel Saiz and Kemar Roofe - who has scored four career goals against Newport and is 9/2 (5.5) to score last.
We’re taking the 4/1 (5.0) on Leeds to win the second half with a -1 handicap, which will come off if they score two or more goals than their opponents after the interval.
Tips and predictions
Our best bet, though, is the half-time/full-time draw/Leeds at 7/2 (4.50), which will land if the away side leave Rodney Parade victorious after going in level at the break.
We should expect a gallant effort from Newport, who have been transformed over the last nine months from League Two relegation bankers to top half challengers due to shrewd recruitment off the field and spirited performances on it.
However, Leeds will have some strong players waiting on the bench and we see their Championship quality coming to the fore in the latter stages.
Half-time/Full-time: Draw/Leeds 7/2 (4.5) for a 1pt stake with Betfair