Leicester vs Blackburn prediction: ENGLAND: FA Cup betting tips on match 2023-02-27 19:30.
On a journey to recreate their famous FA Cup triumph in 2020/21, Leicester City will host six-time winners Blackburn Rovers for a crunch fifth-round clash. Brendan Rodgers’ struggling Foxes arrive in less-than-impressive form for the first competitive H2H meeting since 2014, having lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the Premier League (PL) last weekend, with a torrid league campaign placing them firmly in the battle to avoid relegation.
Continuing their FA Cup run could provide a welcome distraction, but Leicester haven’t exactly waltzed their way through the competition after narrowly beating two fourth-tier sides (Gillingham and Walsall) 1-0. The Foxes have, however, progressed from their last three FA Cup fifth-round ties – also winning each contest by a 1-0 scoreline – and they should be fired up knowing that winning this famous trophy remains their only realistic route of securing European football next season.
Rovers might represent a step-up in quality from Leicester’s previous FA Cup opposition, but they haven’t won any of their last ten competitive away clashes with the Foxes (D4, L6). That means they’ll have to tip the historical scales if they want to progress to the quarter-finals of a domestic cup this season, after being dumped out of the Carabao Cup in a 4-1 fourth-round defeat to another PL side, Nottingham Forest.
With a congested Championship play-off race intensifying, Blackburn may prioritise league football ahead of this competition as they aim for their first top-flight appearance since 2011/12. A win surely wouldn’t hurt their confidence though, and by setting up camp in the Midlands to avoid fatigue after winning 3-1 away at QPR on Saturday, they may arrive fresh and confident of securing a first FA Cup quarter-finals appearance since 2014/15.
Players to watch: Kelechi Iheanacho has been dangerous in this tournament, striking in both of Leicester’s FA Cup victories this season, whilst no player has scored more goals in the competition since his debut in 2016 (G17). The visitors will hope that midfielder Joe Rankin-Costello can provide the footings for victory after he grabbed a Championship assist last weekend, following a goal in this competition last month.
Hot stat: Blackburn have conceded just one first-half goal across their past five away outings.