Cheltenham Town is set to face Leicester City, the 2021 FA Cup champions, in the third round of the prestigious tournament. This match will take place at Cheltenham’s home ground during the weekend of January 10, 2026.
Match Details
The third-round ties will occur over the weekend, with Cheltenham keen to make an impact against the former Premier League club. Leicester City, now managed by Martí Cifuentes, currently sits 14th in the Championship, following their relegation last season.
History of Encounters
Historically, Cheltenham Town has competed against Leicester City in several matches:
- In the 2008/09 League One season, Cheltenham lost twice to Leicester, with a score of 4-0 on both occasions.
- They triumphed over Leicester’s Under-21 team in the EFL Trophy, winning 6-1 during the 2016/17 campaign.
- A friendly match held in 2019 ended with Leicester winning 2-1, despite Cheltenham initially leading through Luke Varney.
- Another pre-season friendly in 2007 saw Leicester win again, this time with a score of 2-1.
Current Team Insights
At present, Cheltenham Town is making its 11th appearance in the FA Cup third round, marking their first since the 2020/21 season. Manager Steve Cotterill, who has a history with Leicester City as a former first-team coach, is eager to lead the Robins to victory.
In the previous rounds, Cheltenham achieved notable success by eliminating League One’s Bradford City, thanks to a header by Isaac Hutchinson. They further impressed by overcoming National League North side Buxton with a 6-2 victory, featuring two goals each from Hutchinson and Jordan Thomas, in addition to contributions from Robbie Cundy and Ethon Archer.
Prize Money
Winners of this round stand to receive £121,500, while the losers receive £26,500, adding extra motivation for both teams to secure a win.
Upcoming Match Schedule
Before this prestigious clash, Cheltenham Town will face Swindon Town away in League Two. The match is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:45 PM.
The anticipation is building as Cheltenham Town prepares to take on Leicester City, hoping to create an unforgettable moment in their FA Cup journey.
