Foxes to test Tottenham home advantage in FA Cup third round fray
Published:
Holly Thackeray | January 8, 2016
Tottenham v Leicester City
- FA Cup third round
- Sunday, January 10th
- Kick-off: 16:00
- White Hart Lane, north London
- Live on BBC One
Foxes can thrive if Spurs send out squad players
Tottenham and Leicester City make for an enthralling FA Cup third round pairing, as the duo take a break from Premier League top four pushing duty to tussle at White Hart Lane.
Home advantage and the absence of injured flying Foxes forward Jamie Vardy make Spurs odds-on 4/7 favourites with Coral to dispatch Claudio Ranieri’s side. Yet, Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-match comments mean not everything may be so clear cut.
Speaking to press, the Argentine coach confirmed his own injury concerns, stating: “Ryan Mason and Mousa Dembele are very close but still out for Sunday. Pritchard is close to start working with the team.”
Any customers wanting to back hitman and homegrown hero Harry Kane (10/3 to have the final say), or England starlet Dele Alli (5/4 to net anytime) for more goals, may want to look at those last or anytime scorer markets, as Pochettino hinted he could rest stars. The coach continued: “It is the oldest competition in the world and we respect it.
“We have a strong squad and Christmas was busy. It’s a good chance for some players who deserve to play to show their quality and fight for a place in the team.”
In the frame instead of usual starters may be midfielder Tom Carroll (7/1 to strike anytime) or South Korea forward Son Heung-Min (9/2 to notch the opener).
Foxes fired up for cup
The potential for a weaker starting XI could allow Leicester (9/2 for victory) to take advantage, with magnificent match specials available, including Ranieri’s guys to win and both teams to score at 9/1, with a maximum stake of £20 for punters.
In all of their last 10 meetings there have been goals from each side, so this looks a tip worth taking, especially as the visiting Midlands outfit ousted Spurs from this same competition at White Hart Lane last campaign. In fact, fan favourites the Foxes have smashed seven past the capital club across all competitions in the past two terms.
Although, should you fancy the Londoners for revenge instead, they are also available in a Coral special at a shorter 3/1 to win this wrangle with both sides on the scoresheet (also max stake £20).
Imitation game
Speaking about his side’s ambition to emulate Tottenham’s standing, Ranieri said: “It is difficult to play Tottenham because they have fantastic players. They have a first team and second team the same.
“They have a lot of young players. Why? Because they started earlier than us. We want to follow their example.”
It seems that formula is already underway, as recent winter window signing and teenage sensation Demarai Gray could be handed his debut. While, Algeria magician Riyad Mahrez has already struck against Spurs this season and is 2/1 to do so again anytime, with Japan striker Shinji Okazaki is 11/4 in the same market.
Related
For more FA Cup content, take a peek at our special page for the prestigious cup.
Coral’s top tip: Leicester 9/1 to beat Spurs and both teams score (max stake £20).
