In the FA Cup third round, Cheltenham Town is set to face Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are eager to progress in the competition and potentially claim silverware this season.
Match Preview
Cheltenham Town has struggled since their drop from the third tier of English football at the end of the 2023-24 season. Currently, they sit in the middle of League Two, experiencing another season of mediocrity. However, the Robins secured a significant 3-0 victory over Crawley Town in their last match, with goals from Hakeeb Adelakun, Jordan Thomas, and Robbie Cundy.
So far in January, Cheltenham has collected three points from two matches. They currently rank 18th in League Two, trailing seventh-placed Chesterfield by ten points. Remarkably, the Robins remain unbeaten in their past six matches at EV Charger Points Stadium, winning four and drawing two.
This matchup marks Cheltenham’s third consecutive home game in the FA Cup. They advanced past Bradford City in the first round before defeating Buxton 6-2 to earn the right to host Leicester City.
Leicester City’s Recent Form
On the other hand, Leicester City has recently rebounded from two back-to-back losses, winning two of their last three Championship matches. Their last win was a narrow victory against West Bromwich Albion, where Abdul Fatawu scored a last-minute goal to secure the points.
Despite feeling the pressure due to a looming potential points deduction, manager Marti Cifuentes is focusing on getting positive results. However, Leicester’s away form has been concerning, with a recent aggregate score of 7-2 in their last two defeats on the road.
FA Cup History
Leicester City boasts a more prestigious recent history in the FA Cup, having claimed the trophy in the 2020-21 season with a memorable strike from Youri Tielemans in the final. In contrast, Cheltenham Town aims to make a strong impression by advancing in this year’s tournament.
Team News
Cheltenham has encountered challenges in player retention this January. Following his strong performance against Crawley, Hakeeb Adelakun transferred to Doncaster Rovers. Additionally, leading goalscorer Isaac Hutchinson has returned to Bristol Rovers.
Leicester City will be without loanee Aaron Ramsey, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Cifuentes may alter his lineup to adapt to recent performances, potentially including Patson Daka and Louis Page.
Possible Lineups
- Cheltenham Town: Day; Tomkinson, Cundy, Wilson; Stevenson, Jude-Boyd, Young, Kinsella, Thomas; Bickerstaff, Miller
- Leicester City: Begovic; Pereira, Vestergaard, Nelson, L Thomas; James, Skipp, S Thomas, Page, Mavididi; Daka
Prediction
Given recent player departures and their inconsistent form, Cheltenham Town faces a challenging match against Leicester City. The Foxes, despite their fluctuating performances, are expected to prevail. A final prediction could see Leicester winning 3-1.
