Kick Off: 1955, 27/01/2017
Stadium: iPro Stadium
TV: BBC One
Leicester get another welcome break from their Premier League struggles when visiting Derby in the FA Cup fourth round and will hope to again show the kind of form which saw them win at Everton in this competition three weeks ago.
However, the Rams have already claimed one top-flight scalp by knocking out West Brom and are also pushing for promotion from the Championship this season.
A Look At Derby’s Betting Odds
Derby’s league form has been a touch up and down this term but they are coming off a gutsy 3-2 defeat of third-placed Reading, with Darren Bent and Tom Ince again amongst the goals after doing well in that department of late.
Steve McClaren had to rouse his troops after going behind but highlighted what Leicester can expect when stating: “We made it a bit feisty. We always talk about lighting a fire and we needed something to do that; a tackle, a melee, or a goal – it got pretty feisty but we felt we needed to get the intensity up on and off the field and we did that.”
County had gone nearly 13 hours without conceding at home before that game and no team has a better defensive record on their own ground in the Championship this season, so we’re backing Derby at 3/2 to outbattle a Leicester side low on confidence and spirit.
A Look At Leicester’s Betting Odds
Leicester have failed to score in six of their last 10 matches following back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Chelsea at home and Southampton away, so 16/5 for a well-drilled Derby side to win to nil has obvious appeal.
Claudio Ranieri has admitted tinkering with City’s tactical formation hasn’t worked and accepts they are facing a relegation battle, commenting: “Look, our goal, our target, is 40 points. I said this from the beginning of the season and I maintain the focus on 40 points, it’s important to achieve that as soon as possible.”
With a crucial trip to Burnley up next on Tuesday and Champions League action returning next month, the Foxes could arguably do without the added distraction of an FA Cup run, so we like 11/1 for Derby to take this 2-0.
Additional stats
Last result:
DERBY 3-2 Reading – Darren Bent, Tom Ince, Will Hughes
Southampton 3-0 LEICESTER
Head-to-head: Leicester 4-1 Derby, Leicester 2-1 Derby, Derby 0-1 Leicester, Derby 2-1 Leicester, Leicester 4-1 Derby
