English FA CUP
2013-02-12 - Leicester City vs Huddersfield Town
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: England FA Cup Fourth Round Replay
Tuesday 12 February 2013 - Kick Off 7:30pm
This game is live on TV
Leicester City
You can't always tell what kind of motivation a team has for an FA Cup game when they are chasing promotion as Leicester City are, but it was clear from the reaction of Nigel Pearson after the initial tie that it is important to them. Leicester have also cleared their weekend schedule, by postponing a League game, in anticipation of a potential FA Cup Fifth Round clash at Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
The Foxes are currently 2nd in the Championship and promotion to the Premier League is the absolute bottom line for the club. However, it is clear that they are looking to maintain momentum and will certainly want to remove the memories of a 2-1 loss at Peterborough United over the weekend. Leicester beat Burton Albion 2-0 here in the Third Round before scoring the late equaliser to force this replay at Huddersfield Town a couple of weeks ago.
Before the loss at London Road on Saturday, Leicester had been unbeaten in 8 games in all competition of which they had won 6. Leicester have also won 4 straight at home since a 0-1 loss to Cardiff City, a run that includes a 6-1 win over Huddersfield.
Huddersfield Town
Mark Lillis is still the caretaker manager of Huddersfield Town after the club dispensed with Simon Grayson days before the initial Fourth Round game at home. They are still in some difficulties when it comes to their position in the Championship, especially with the sides below them winning games to close the gap over the weekend.
While their opponents are looking to move out of the Championship to the Premier League, Huddersfield are looking to avoid an immediate return to League One following promotion last season. There are only 3 points separating Huddersfield from the relegation zone so this Cup game may not be high on their list of priorities. The Terriers did beat Charlton Athletic away from home in the Third Round of the FA Cup before the home draw with Leicester City.
Huddersfield have won 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions, although they did earn a precious goalless draw against Cardiff City at home over the weekend. They have won just 1 of their last 8 away games in all competitions, losing 3 in a row in the Championship by a combined 13-1 scoreline.
Head to Head
Leicester City had already completed the League double over Huddersfield Town before the 1-1 draw in the initial tie in the FA Cup.
Leicester have now won 5 in a row at home against Huddersfield, putting up 6-1, 4-2, and 3-0 scorelines in that run.
Prediction
With a 'free' weekend in place, I think Nigel Pearson is going to play a strong team for his Leicester City team, mainly to erase the memories of their 2-1 loss at Peterborough United on Saturday.
They also have a TV game on slate if they get through and I think there is enough motivation for Leicester to get the win here.
On the other hand, Huddersfield Town have really struggled in their recent away games and they may write off the FA Cup and prepare for their League games. The key for the club is surviving in the Championship and I think this Cup is a distraction they can do without.
With some heavy away losses in the last couple of months, I think Leicester City can beat Huddersfield Town by at least a couple of goals in this one.
The Pick :
Leicester City 3-1 Huddersfield Town
