Prediction and odds for the game: Leicester (1/4) v Birmingham (10/1)
We are backing the home win
When: Wednesday 04th March 2020, Kick-off 7:45 PM
Where: The King Power Stadium
On Wednesday night, Premier League Leicester host Championship Birmingham at the King Power Stadium in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Leicester
The Foxes have hit an inconsistent run of form of late. In fact, Brendan Rodgers team has failed to win in their last five matches in all competitions, having picked up just two wins and having suffered three defeats. Last time out, the team from the Midlands suffer a 1-0 defeat struggling Norwich.
The defeat saw the Foxes fail to score for a third straight game. The absence of star striker Jamie Vardy was maybe a factor in the lack of goals. The veteran striker is still a doubt for this clash.
Leicester have beaten Wigan and Brentford so far this season in the FA Cup, having lost their previous two games in the competition against Chelsea and Newport. The Foxes went out of this competition at the third round stage last season, so have already bettered last season’s record. The team from the Midlands are unbeaten in five home matches in the FA Cup, having won three of their last four games.
Birmingham
The Blues head to the King Power for this Midlands derby in good form. In fact, Josep Ruiz’s team are unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions. However, the visitors have drawn their last four games, while winning just once in five outings. Last time out, they drew 2-2 at QPR.
The recent decent form has moved City away from the Championship relegation zone. They are now nine points clear of the drop zone, so can focus their attention fully on this tough clash.
Birmingham have beaten Blackburn and Coventry in the previous rounds, although they did need penalty kicks to defeat the latter in the last the fourth round.
The visitors do not have a great recent record in the FA Cup, as they have won just two of their last 11 matches in 90 minutes in the famous old competition. Their recent matches in the FA Cup have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last six games.
Birmingham have won just once in their last seven away matches in the FA Cup. The Blues have only failed to score in one of those seven games on their travels.
Conclusion
This is a potential banana skin for the home side. Birmingham are in the better form of the two teams. However, we believe that the Foxes will have too much quality for the home side, which why we are backing the home win. We are also backing the under 2.5 goals, as neither team has been that prolific.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 1/4 and/or under 2.5 goals 6/4. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Can Leicester avoid the banana skin and book their place in the FA Cup quarter-final?
