Leeds United destined for FA Cup third round exit after shocking Daniel Farke reveal

Leeds United travel to Derby County on Sunday lunchtime as both teams get their FA Cup campaigns underway.

Daniel Farke has revived Leeds’ form in recent weeks, with Premier League survival now highly probable.

As a result, many of the Elland Road faithful will be hoping for a cup run in the second half of the campaign, especially after their dire defeat to Sheffield Wednesday that saw them knocked out of the Carabao Cup.

Leeds will be heavily favoured to beat the Rams on Sunday, with Derby out of form in the Championship with just one win in their last five matches.

However, a victory may not be a guarantee, with Farke possessing an awful record against the East Midlands outfit.

Daniel Farke has only beaten Derby County three times

Despite Farke usually dominating the Championship, he has often struggled against Derby County.

In his eight clashes against the Rams, only three have ended in victories for the German manager, with the former Norwich City boss also overseeing three defeats.

This is despite Farke usually dominating the Championship, with the manager holding three second-tier titles.

⏪ Rewind: Derby County pic.twitter.com/rLFS3Lngyp— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 9, 2026

Therefore, with Derby holding an advantage in the tie thanks to it being at Pride Park Stadium, Leeds seem destined for a third round exit in the FA Cup.

However, it remains to be seen if Farke is able to once again overcome the Rams and give the visiting supporters the cup run that they have been begging for.

What has Farke said ahead of the Derby clash?

While Leeds may have been shocking in the cup in recent years under Farke, the manager is extremely keen to progress into the next round.

Since coming into Elland Road, Farke has overseen several embarrassing defeats in cup competitions.

The aforementioned loss to Sheffield Wednesday still haunts many supporters, while the penalty defeat to Salford in the Carabao Cup a few years back is an eye sore.

💬 “𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿”
Daniel Farke sends his thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Terry Yorath pic.twitter.com/fYKkuCktm0— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 8, 2026

 Yet, speaking to BBC Sport on 8 January, Farke expressed his desire to win a cup at Leeds United, as he explained that he wants to go far in this year’s FA Cup.

He said: “I don’t want to come across that it is over-ambition off back of defeat that I want to win a major competition.

“We know it is not realistic as promoted side, but we have shown, whether it be a quarter-final, semi-final, final, against top sides we are capable to win this.

“But to get there, you have to make sure you win early rounds and we respect Derby.”

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