Leicester City will travel to league cup holders Chelsea in this fourth round match on Halowe’en.
Both teams will be full of confidence after home wins at the weekend, City overcoming Barnsley 2-0 while Chelsea cruised to a 6-0 victory over Man City.
This will be City’s first encouter with Roman Abramovich’s new look Chelsea side and 6,500 fans are expected to pack the away section for the match.
How many of them hold any reasonable hope of progressing past a Premiership side finding it’s feet under Avram Grant is unsure, but those who traveled to Villa will be firmly of the belief that anything can happen, as it has before for Leicester in this very competition.
Frank Burrows threw his cap in the managerial ring this week following on from the victory against Barnsley, another win tonight would do his chances no harm at all.
Although all the odds may be against us, all many fans will be hoping for is a City side that competes well and put up a good performance against a vastly superior outfit in Chelsea.
How they got here
Leicester booked their passage into round four after victories over Acrington Stanley, Notts Forest and most recently Aston Villa.
Chelsea’s only game in the competition this year was a 4-0 victory over Hull, Grant’s first victory after taking over from Jose Mourinho.
Vital Quotes:
Mandaric is impressed with the City home support at the weekend.
‘Saturday’s game gave me an immense sense of pride. It was fantastic to see so many supporters inside the stadium to help us during what are difficult times.
‘I had stressed last week the importance of us all remaining united. The support the players and staff received on Saturday just proved to me again why I came to this great club.
‘To have registered the sixth biggest attendance in the country on the day just goes to prove once again the size and potential we have here. Together we can make it happen.’
Interestingly only 18,413 turned up for Bolton’s match, obviously they didn’t feel as enthusiastic about the change in management as we did.
Chelsea Team News:
Chelsea could field any number of teams against Leicester, and may opt to rest key personnel, John Terry is one who almost certainly will not play.
Player to watch: Shevchenko
Shevchenko has never really settled in at Chelsea, and he may be given an extended run out to try and find some form, managed a last minute goal against Man City
Leicester City Team News:
Goal scorer Collins John is cup-tied, Wesoloski and Clemence are doubtful in the middle of midfield, and even stand in midfielder Iain Hume may not play.
Player to watch: Fulop
I picked Fulop as the important man in the Villa match and Marton will again need to be in top form if City are to make a decent go of the game.
Match Facts & Stats
Chelsea and Leicester both have history in the League Cup with 7 wins between them, Chelsea with 4 and Leicester 3.
Match Prediction:
Hopefully we can not embarrass ourselves and keep the confidence up from our weekend victory. Keep it to within a goal and anything is possible.
Next Fixtures:
Leicester continue on their travels with games against:
Colchester (A) 3rd Nov
reston (A) 6th Nov
3-1 to Chelsea me thinks!
I’d love to see a City win, but even a fully fit squad would struggle, 1-1 would be nice
Depends. If Leicester score first, you have a chance. Trouble is that I really cant see Chelsea not scoring meaning Leicester will need two. Depending on whose in Chelsea’s defence, I can’t see them letting two in.
I predict a comfortable 3-1 to the league Cup holders. Best of luck to your lot tho.
Was must closer than that!
4-3 in the end, but fair play to you guys. you played well and made it very difficult for us at times and at points looked like you’d take our home record away from us! well played and best of luck for the rest of the season!
CAREFREEE
What a feckin fright you gave us!