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2012-08-28 - Leicester City vs Burton Albion
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Capital One Cup Second Round
Tuesday 28 August 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Leicester City
Leicester City were crushed under the weight of expectation last season and they were hoping that they could move under the radar this season under Nigel Pearson. However, a positive start to the season has evaporated a little bit as they have lost back to back League games in the last week.
After opening the season with two wins from two in the Capital One Cup and then the first game of the season against Peterborough United, Leicester were beaten at Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, both by the same 2-1 scoreline. They have felt that they have been a little unlucky in both of their away games, but this game does represent a chance to build back some confidence.
The Foxes won 0-4 at Torquay United in the first round of the Capital One Cup, but they will appreciate this game being at the KP Stadium. Leicester have only lost 1 of their last 13 home games in all competitions going back to last season and they have won 8 of those games.
Sean St Ledger and Zak Whitbread are hoping to make their returns to the squad, but Liam Moore looks set to miss out. It would be a surprise if Nigel Pearson makes too many changes to his starting line up, but he will likely make some as it has been a busy start to the season for the squad.
Burton Albion
Burton Albion have had a mixed start to the season that has seen them progress in the Capital One Cup, but lose 2 of their 3 opening League games. The win in the first round was the first time Burton have progressed in the League Cup since entering the Football League.
The team actually earned a surprise victory at Sheffield United in the first round of the competition although it did take a penalty shoot-out for them to confirm the shock. However, they have failed to score in 2 of their 3 League games, although the other game saw Burton put 6 past Wimbledon in a home game.
Rotherham United beat Burton 3-0 in the latter's only away game in the League this season and Burton have now won just 1 of their last 14 away games in all competitions (counting the win at Sheffield United as a draw as it was decided after regulation). Of those 14 games, Burton have lost 8.
Marcus Holness and Lee Bell have already served suspensions for the away side, but they had been available for Saturday and could only force their way onto the bench. They may be given a chance if Gary Rowett decides to rotate some of his squad.
Head to Head
These two clubs have only met once previously, that coming back in 1985 in the FA Cup- Leicester City won that tie 0-1.
Prediction
Leicester City should bounce back from a couple of recent setbacks with a comfortable win in this one and I will be backing them to cover the Asian Handicap against Burton Albion.
While Burton did cause one of the surprise results of the first round in the competition by winning at Sheffield United, you can't ignore the hammering they took at Rotherham United nor the fact that 6 of their last 8 defeats away from home have come by at least a couple of goals.
I expect Leicester are going to make one or two changes to their starting XI for this game, but they were very comfortable winners against Torquay United away from home in the last round, a team that is in the same Division as Burton, and the Foxes have been a much stronger proposition at home over their last few games than they have away from home.
With the attacking talent at Nigel Pearson's disposal, I think he will look for his side to have an impressive win to give them some confidence moving forward into the season after a couple of tight losses.
I'll be taking them to do so with a win by a couple of goals at the least.
The Pick :
Leicester City 2-0 Burton Albion
