It has been an up and down season so far for Leeds United.

They produced an excellent performance on the opening weekend to outclass Bristol City at Ashton Gate, but gave away a one-goal lead late on against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and had to settle for a draw in their first home game of the season.

They now travel to Salford City in the Carabao Cup first round and Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that he will use the game as an opportunity to give game time to some players who haven’t seen much action this season.

However, the Ammies are a Football League side now, after securing promotion to League Two last season, and this is a huge game for them at Moor Lane – they should not be underestimated.

With that in mind, we’ve outlined three reasons why Bielsa’s side might not have it all their own way this evening.

1. It’s one of the biggest matches in Salford’s history.

Salford were only promoted to the Football League via the Conference play-offs last season and boss Graham Alexander has suggested that, while this game isn’t as significant as the play-off final, Leeds are the biggest opposition they have faced in their history.

This is one of the biggest matches in Salford’s history and they are going to be up for it, Bielsa needs to ensure his team aren’t going out there expecting an easy win or they could be in for a surprise.

2. Salford are no stranger to a cup upset.

Leeds may be the biggest opposition that the Ammies have faced but the club are no strangers to a cup upset.

In 2015, Salford were a non-league side but secured a big upset by beating Notts County, who were 59 league places above them in the English football pyramid, in the first round of the FA Cup.

They then earned a replay in the second round against another League Two side, Hartlepool United.

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Leeds are only 56 places above Salford, so in a sense, this would not even be the biggest cup upset in their history.

The hosts are going to be going into this hungry for a Championship scalp.

3. The League Two side will carry a set-piece threat.

There must have been some serious questions asked of the Leeds defensive unit after the Forest equaliser on Saturday.

The corner should have been dealt with on a couple of occasions by multiple Whites players before it found its way, however flukily, into the back of the net via Lewis Grabban.

The Championship club should not expect a respite when it comes to defending set-pieces against Salford.

Alexander’s side includes some big, physical players – as eluded to by Bielsa – and one of their two goals this season has already come from a set-piece, with six-foot-five Emmanuel Dieseruvwe converting it.

Set pieces will provide a good opportunity for Salford to pile players forward, so Leeds will have to be more organised than they were on Saturday.