Prediction: Tottenham vs Leicester

Having edged closer to the Capital One Cup final with a narrow win over Sheffield United in the semi-final first leg, Spurs aim to continue their FA Cup run by eliminating Leicester City. After beating Newcastle United to reach the fourth round, the Foxes will be looking to claim another major scalp at White Hart Lane.

Judging by how this season started, Tottenham were not exactly expected to turn it into a success, but, midway through the campaign, they are still quite successful on all four fronts. And while the Premiership top 4 race remains the priority, Spurs are also looking to do well in other competitions entered, with big strength in depth proving a major advantage. Spurs currently sit three points behind Champions League positions in the Premier League standings, but they have reached the Capital One Cup semi-final, Europa League Last 32 stage and FA Cup fourth round. Manager Muricio Pochettino surprised everyone with an under-strength side in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Sheffield United, and the decision almost came back to haunt him as Spurs were somewhat fortunate to record a 1-0 win. Tottenham now turn their attention towards their FA Cup campaign, where they play host to Leicester after hammering Burnley in the previous round. Mauricio Pochettino is widely expected to make changes to the side that defeated Sheffield, with the likes of Hugo Lloris, Danny Rose and Roberto Soldado set to be recalled. Ryan Mason and Younes Kaboul should be back in contention, but Erik Lamela, Vlad Chiriches and Federico Fazio are all rated doubtful.

Leicester City played some good football in the opening exchanges, with the 5-3 triumph over Manchester United especially impressive, but the Foxes then suffered a huge dip in form. A run of 13 matches without a league win that saw them pick up mere two points in the process seriously damaged club’s survival chances, although Nigel Pearson’s side have finally returned to the right track. Premier League wins over Hull City and Aston Villa as well as the FA Cup triumph over Newcastle seriously improved the atmosphere in the squad, although the Foxes could have done without a home loss to Stoke City. Leicester did well to win the chase for Croatian starlet Andrej Kramaric, who is tipped to make an instant impact, and they are expected to make few more signings in an attempt to escape the Premiership rock bottom. Even if the survival fight obviously has the priority at the moment, the Foxes will attempt to further improve the atmosphere with a good result at White Hart Lane, although I am not convinced they can stop Spurs in their tracks. The likes of Esteban Cambiasso and Dean Hammond are back in contention, but Matty James is banned and Chris Wood faces a fitness test. Kasper Schmeichel, Zoumana Bakayogo and Matt Upson are out injured.

Conclusion

Buoyed by three successive victories in all competitions, Tottenham Hotspur go into the match high on confidence and with several important players back to the side, they should be able to show an improvement on their last performance. Meanwhile, Leicester have shown some improvement of late, but I don’t think they have what it takes to avoid a defeat at the Lane.

Verdict: Home win Tottenham (1)

Best Odds: 5/8

Bookmaker: bet365