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Leicester logo
FA Cup | Third Round
Jan 20, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
Spurs logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Heung-Min (39'), Chadli (66')

Preview: Leicester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Sports Mole looks ahead to the FA Cup third-round replay between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the King Power Stadium.

By the end of tomorrow night, there will not be much that Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur do not know about each other.

After all, this FA Cup third-round replay at the King Power Stadium will be the third meeting between the two sides over the last 11 days. The reward for the victor will be a trip to League One outfit Colchester United in the next round.


Leicester

Claudio Ranieri has a chuckle prior to the game between Aston Villa and Leicester on January 16, 2016© Getty Images

When Leicester's great rivals Nottingham Forest - managed by Brian Clough - mounted an ultimately successful First Division title challenge during the 1977-78 campaign, the media in particular were waiting for the bubble to burst.

However, it did not happen and Forest were crowned champions by a seven-point margin, which sparked a remarkable run that also included two League Cups and two European Cups.

While nobody is suggesting that the Foxes are going to enjoy similar success, it does appear that like the Forest side that included the likes of John Robertson, Ian Bowyer and former Leicester boss Martin O'Neill, Claudio Ranieri's men are not for budging.

They have shown as much during their two recent clashes with Spurs, both of which were played at White Hart Lane.

Despite ringing the changes for the first FA Cup tie, Leicester were just one minute away from booking their place in the next round when a highly controversial penalty was awarded against Nathan Dyer, which Harry Kane duly dispatched.

Then, just a few days later Ranieri took his side back to the capital, where they won 1-0 thanks to Robert Huth's late header. It was a result that lifted Leicester - one of the favourites to go down at the start of the season - to the top of the table. They have since been dislodged by Tottenham's neighbours Arsenal, yet that is only on goal difference.

Recent form (all competitions): LDDDWD


Spurs

Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at White Hart Lane on December 13, 2015 in London, England.© Getty Images

Having failed to win either of the meetings with Leicester, it was vitally important that Spurs return to winning ways against Sunderland at the weekend.

While the work that Mauricio Pochettino has carried out in the Spurs dugout this season should be commended, there had been audible groans from sections of the White Hart Lane faithful following Huth's intervention.

So, when Patrick van Aanholt gave the visiting Black Cats a 1-0 lead on Saturday, frustration levels would have been simmering.

To Tottenham's credit, thanks in part to a brace from Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen, they responded positively to win the encounter 4-1.

Finishing in the top four to nab all of the riches that the Champions League provides is undoubtedly top of Pochettino's remit in North London, but supporters are also likely to be keen for their team to get their hands on the famous old trophy again.

Only Arsenal and Manchester United can better Tottenham's return of eight triumphs, but the last of those came in 1991 in a final perhaps best remembered for the knee injury that Paul Gascoigne sustained during a wild challenge on Nottingham Forest's Gary Charles.

Recent form (all competitions): WWDDLW


Team News

Matty James in action for Leicester on December 28, 2014© Getty Images

After eight months on the sidelines with a cruciate knee ligament injury, Matty James could be back in the Leicester squad for this fixture.

The 24-year-old, who recently turned out for the club's development squad, has been tipped to feature among the substitutes.

Just as he did when the teams met less than a fortnight ago, Ranieri is expected to rotate his starting lineup.

With that in mind, the likes of Ben Chilwell, Marcin Wasilewski, Ritchie De Laet, Andy King, Leonardo Ulloa and Damarai Gray are all likely to come into contention.

As for Spurs, leading goalscorer Kane started the first match on the bench and he could be rested again in the East Midlands.

Ryan Mason is rated as a doubt, but there may be starting opportunities for young attacker Joshua Onomah and left-back Ben Davies.

Leicester possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; De Laet, Wasilewski, Benalouane, Chilwell; Inler, Kante, King, Dyer, Gray; Ulloa

Tottenham possible starting lineup:
Vorm; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Dier; Chadli, Eriksen, Onomah; Son


Head To Head

The recent clashes between the pair have already been well documented, but overall it is Spurs that lead the head-to-head record 51-34, with 20 draws also played out.

Nevertheless, Leicester can take some confidence from the fact that they have won their last two FA Cup ties against Tottenham.

Spurs' last victory over Leicester in the competition came in 1982 when Garth Crooks was among the goalscorers.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leicester 1-1 Spurs

There has not been much to split these sides so far in January and there is no reason why that will change on Wednesday. They are two pretty evenly matched teams and with both expected to make alterations, it could be a close encounter. It would not be a surprise if this one went all the way to penalties.



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Written by
Liam Apicella
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