Saturday 17 March 2012

Pensioners vs. Foxes: FA Cup Quarter Final Preview

Leicester City face the hugest test of their season when they travel to London to play Chelsea in the quarter finals of the FA Cup tomorrow afternoon (kick off 14:05, live on ESPN).

The Pensioners are England's final remaining representative in European competitions this season and will play Benfica in the last eight of the Champions League in ten days' time. They must first overcome the Foxes, however, with manager Nigel Pearson keen to emphasise his players' ability to beat the Premier League club.

"Clearly we've got to catch them on a not-so-good day and we'll have to be at our best, but it's an opportunity for the players to show what we can do," said the City manager, "We're all looking forward to the game, but we're conscious that there is a job to do as well. It's not all about us being underdogs, we want to go there and give a good account of ourselves and cause them problems."

To beat Chelsea remains a massive challenge for the last club outside of the top flight to remain in the cup, with Leicester having only beaten the home side in a quarter of their meetings. The Blues, meanwhile, have an impeccable FA Cup record. Three-times winners in the last six finals, Chelsea have lost just two FA Cup matches in the last 31 and have only been knocked-out by a lower league side once in the last four seasons, losing to Barnsley in 2008.

Leicester have never beaten Chelsea in the FA Cup and the sides have not met in the competition for twelve years. This, then, is a hotly anticipated fixture and, with the likes of John Terry and David Luiz doubtful through injury, the Foxes could spring a surprise with Paul Konchesky returning from suspension and only Danny Drinkwater unavailable: he is cup-tied.

No comments: