FA Cup betting – Leicester City vs Man City

Leicester City vs Man City betting preview

Leicester City: League Position: 12th, League Form: LDLWW

Sven Goran Eriksson is manager of a Leicester side with lofty ambitions. Sound familiar? Except this time, everything is a touch scaled down.

The man who first took on the job of managing the new, cash rich Manchester City (who later got even richer) faces his old club.

The team come off two consecutive wins. One of English football’s forgotten men Darius Vassell got them the winner on Monday against Swansea, and is another man facing a former club. This tie can be summed up for Leicester by looking at the cost and quality of the reserve side they’ll be playing.

It’s the FA Cup, and as such there are always shocks, but the emphatically professional style that Mancini has drilled into Manchester City means Leicester will have to be at their best to even score. Check out all the latest FA Cup free bet offers.

Manchester City: League Position: 2nd, League Form: LWWWD

Manchester City stifled any life out of their game at The Emirates on Wednesday and came away with a valuable point. It was the style you’d only find either in Italy or a team guided by an Italian. Job done was the conclusion of that match.

Away at Leicester things will be more difficult to predict, well in terms of the line up anyway. Don’t expect to see the likes of Silva, Yaya Toure, Balotelli or Tevez. Jo may be left to lead the line, especially as they look to get rid of Santa Cruz and Adebayor, who they won’t want cup tied.

Much depends on how important Mancini believes the FA Cup to be this year. The team are quite capable of winning the Europa League and still in the hunt for the Premier League title. Saying that even if he doesn’t focus on this competition, a weakened Man City are too good for Leicester.

Match Prediction: MANCHESTER CITY WIN – 1.7 William Hill – Get a £25 free bet here

Players with something to prove coming into the second half of the season should get their chance here against Leicester. City don’t have a game for a week and don’t need to rest all their players. Adam Johnson, Jo and Patrick Vieira are the types that come in when others need a break, and all are too good for the home side.

As such, it’s hard to look at this one as the shock the third round of the FA Cup always produces, especially with the closed, defensive system that suffocates the style of others. Not to suggest Leicester would come full of flair and panache, Vassell didn’t guarantee that in his prime, and he’s definitely clear of his prime.

Johnson will be the reason to watch this game. Exciting, skilful, direct and confident, he’s opened up better teams and will do the same here. Too easy for City.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.8 Paddy Power
First Goalscorer: Adam Johnson – 8.5 Bet365
Correct Score: 3-0 Man City Win – 13.00 Bet365

Match Odds:-

Leicester City – 5.5 Bet365
Draw – 4.00 Sky Bet
Manchester City – 1.7 William Hill

By Chris Wilkerson

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