English FA CUP
2012-02-18 - Norwich City vs Leicester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: FA Cup 5th Round
Saturday 18 February 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Norwich City
Paul Lambert has surely moved his side into a position where their Premier League status is secure for next season having beaten Swansea 2-3 at the Liberty Stadium last week. The job he is doing at Carrow Road is not going unnoticed and it would be no surprise to see him being linked with some of the big jobs that may come up this Summer.
Norwich City have picked up 35 points so far this season and need to find 7 more from their remaining 13 League games that would take them above the 40 point mark that managers aim for when looking to avoid relegation at the start of the season. They have entertained with their style of play and can give the FA Cup their full attention having beaten Burnley and West Brom in their previous Rounds.
The only time I have seen Norwich City outclassed this season was at a recent game at Sunderland, but they have been competitive in most of the games they have played. There should be plenty of confidence in the players ranks as that defeat at Sunderland is the only one they have suffered in 9 games in all competitions. The Canaries are unbeaten in their last 4 at Carrow Road, and have kept clean sheets in their last 2 games here.
While Norwich were guilty of playing a weakened team in the Carling Cup, it is unlikely that they will do the same this weekend with the Premier League priorities firmly in hand and a real chance to do something in a competition missing Manchester United and Manchester City.
Leicester City
Nigel Pearson returned to Leicester City as the manager of the club following a successful period at Hull City, but the expected up-turn of fortunes has not been as forthcoming as expected and the pre-season favourites for promotion remain out of contention to even make the Play Offs. The owners might like the exposure of an FA Cup run, but the real ambition is to make the Premier League.
Leicester are down in 12th position in the Championship and that leaves them 9 points from Reading in the final Play Off position, a tough gap for them to bridge with 15 games left to play. They have been a mixed bag away from home, recording a 4-5-6 record, and this is their first away game in the FA Cup this season following wins over Nottingham Forest and Swindon Town.
Inconsistencies continue to blight this talented squad as they have now won just 1 of their last 4 games following a run of 3 consecutive wins. The Foxes come into this one off consecutive away losses, although they had been unbeaten in 3 on their travels before those defeats.
Danny Drinkwater is ineligible for this game having played for Barnsley earlier in the competition, but Sol Bamba and John Pantsil are back in the squad after representing their countries in the African Cup of Nations. Nathan Delfouneso has been given permission by Aston Villa to take part for Leicester.
Head to Head
Norwich and Leicester met in two thrilling games last season when both were playing in the Championship.
It was the Canaries that won both matches, beating Leicester 4-3 here and 2-3 away from home.
Norwich have won 3 of their last 4 home games against Leicester.
Prediction
Norwich City had found it very tough to record clean sheets this season, but they do come into this one having done so in back to back games at Carrow Road. That should give the defence a bit of confidence but they are going to be faced by some decent attackers in the form of David Nugent, Jermaine Beckford and Delfouneso.
On the other hand, I am sure Paul Lambert will look at this tie as one his side can win with the way they like to swarm teams at Carrow Road. A potential Quarter Final appearance in the FA Cup should inspire Lambert to play a strong team in this game, especially now their Premier League future looks set to be extended for another season, but I don't feel comfortable backing them at odds on to win the game.
Instead, I am going to play the Overs again in this one as both teams have the capabilities to get on the scoresheet, while Norwich managed 4 goals alone in their win over Burnley from the same Division earlier in the competition.
The home side create plenty of chances when they play here, but they will also be a little vulnerable at the back and Leicester certainly have the players that can score goals at Premier League level.
The Foxes have scored in 8 of their last 10 away games and, if they manage one here, I can see this game ending with at least 3 goals.
The Pick :
Norwich City 2-1 Leicester City
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.75 Goals @ 2.05 (Bet Victor)
