Our featured match in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday night sees Leicester City host Birmingham City
Leicester
The FA Cup looks a realistic opportunity for Leicester this season although they will have to put some indifferent Premier League form behind them. Last weekend Leicester lost 1-0 at Norwich, a fourth game without a victory and a third consecutive match where they failed to register a goal. Despite the recent dip in form Leicester remain third in the standings, 5 points clear of Chelsea and 8 better off than Manchester United. A top 4 finish may well be the priority but Leicester should also fancy a tilt at the FA Cup, especially after missing out in the League Cup where they lost a semi final to Aston Villa over 2 legs.
In the earlier rounds Leicester also faced opposition from the Championship. They were 2-0 winners at home to Wigan in the third round and in the fourth round they came through an awkward looking tie at promotion chasing Brentford with a 1-0 win.
Birmingham
An extended cup run would do no harm to Birmingham's finances and they take aim at Premier League opposition after coming through a fourth round replay against League 1 side Coventry on spot kicks. The cup run started with a 2-1 home win over Blackburn on 4th January and that was the start of a 13 match unbeaten run for the Blues across league and cup. Their last 4 league games have finished all square and Birmingham are just below half way in the Championship, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
The Betting:
Team news can make the betting markets in cup competitions pretty volatile but at the time of writing Leicester are 1 / 4 favourites to win in 90 minutes with the draw at 21/4 and Birmingham are trading at around 11/1.
A game of 3 goals or more is 5/10 and it's even money for both sides to find the net. (90 minutes)
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Verdict:
It's worth pointing out that there are no replays in the fifth round, if the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes we go to extra time and if needed, penalty kicks. That should make for some decent viewing and as far as this game is concerned I expect Birmingham to be reasonably competitive but I will stop short of calling a surprise.
Second guessing the team news can be hazardous but I would expect Leicester to field a strong line up and they should end a mini goal drought. Birmingham arrive in decent enough shape to earn the vote to contribute to the scoring.
Bet: Both teams to score? (yes) at even money (90 mins)
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