In the fifth round of the FA Cup, Leicester City will be looking to return to winning ways when Birmingham visit the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Foxes are without a win in their last five games in all competitions, while Blues are enjoying a remarkable 13-match unbeaten run.
Leicester were beaten by bottom club Norwich City on Friday. Brendan Rodgers’ side remain 3rd in the Premier League table, but they are now seven points behind second-place Manchester City and only five clear of Chelsea in fourth.
Following a flying start to the season, the Foxes have hit a rough patch of late. Champions League football is still looking likely for next season, but Rodgers’ men will need to rediscover some form soon.
Leicester entered the FA Cup in the third round this season and cruised past Championship strugglers Wigan in their first games.
However, the Premier League outfit were tested by Brentford in the previous round. But Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal was eventually enough to see Leicester book their place in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Birmingham kicked off their FA Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Blackburn. Blues then edged past Coventry in the previous round thanks to a penalty shootout victory.
Birmingham were lingering just above the relegation zone not so long ago. But an outstanding start to 2020 means Pep Clotet’s side have shot up the Championship table in recent weeks.
Four wins and six draws since the turn of the year have seen Birmingham move up to 15th in the second tier – ten points clear of the relegation zone and nine shy of the playoff places.
#BCFC now have the current longest unbeaten run in English football. This. Team. ✊🔵 pic.twitter.com/hNCwV9tEly— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) March 1, 2020
#BCFC now have the current longest unbeaten run in English football. This. Team. ✊🔵 pic.twitter.com/hNCwV9tEly
Scott Hogan scored a brace against QPR last time out, and the forward has now netted six goals in his last seven league appearances for Birmingham.
The recent head-to-head record between these two teams doesn’t look pretty for Birmingham. Leicester are unbeaten in their last five meetings, while the Foxes have progressed from all six of their FA Cup ties against Blues.
Additionally, Leicester haven’t lost an FA Cup game at home against lower-league opponents since 2001 – winning ten and drawing one since then.
Star striker Jamie Vardy is ruled out with an injury, so Kelechi Iheanacho is likely to lead the line for the Leicester on Wednesday. The Nigerian has netted ten goals in 13 FA Cup appearances, so he’s more than capable of filling in for Vardy.
Birmingham have no fresh injury worries, so Pep Clotet looks set to field a full-strength lineup at the King Power Stadium.
The visit of a Championship side provides Leicester with the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways this week.
Forebet predicts that the Foxes will extend their excellent record against Birmingham. Leicester are likely to keep a clean sheet, while scoring over 1.5 goals on their way to victory.