FA Cup: Stoke City v Leicester City match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s clash at the Britannia Stadium

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Nigel Pearson’s Foxes will be looking to translate their fine league form into cup success as they take on top flight Stoke. Leicester have won their last four games to open up a five-point advantage at the top of the Championship, and the visit to the Britannia will provide a real test of their Premier League aspirations.

Stoke have endured a wobbly run of late, with heavy defeats to Newcastle and Tottenham followed by a disappointing draw against Everton on New Year’s Day, when they conceded an injury-time equaliser. They will however by buoyed by the continued fine form of winger Oussama Assaidi, the Liverpool loanee who looks their most lively attacking outlet.

The Potters have a very decent record in this competition, making two quarter-finals and a final in the last four seasons, and they will be confident of seeing off the challenge of Leicester. But the visitors have already claimed the scalp of Fulham in the League Cup this season, and they will relish the opportunity to inflict another ‘cupset’.

KICK OFF:Saturday, 3pm

LAST THREE MEETINGS:

Stoke City 0 Leicester City 0, Championship, May 2008

Leicester City 1 (Fryatt) Stoke City 1 (Fuller), Championship, September 2007

Stoke City 4 (Parkin, Fuller, Sidibe, Lawrence) Leicester City 2 (Kenton, Hammond), Championship, March 2007

STATS:

These sides have 3 wins each from their last 10 meetings. Leicester haven’t won at Stoke since August 2002, when they beat them 0-1 in the old Division One.

The home side has won 5 of the last 7 games between these sides.

Stoke have lost only 1 of their last 8 home games.

Oussama Assaidi has scored 3 of Stoke’s last 5 goals.

Leicester have won 12 of 14 games this season where they have taken the lead.

ODDS:

Stoke City to win: 2.1

Leicester City to win: 3.25

Draw: 3.25

TV: Highlights on ITV1 at 11.05pm.