Goooooood evening! The
FA Cup fourth-round lineup is just two names light and tonight we will find out which two of Leicester, Tottenham, Liverpool and Exeter will complete the last 32. Here we'll be focussing on the King Power Stadium and Leicester vs. Tottenham.
As mentioned above, this is the third game in 10 days between the two Premier League title contenders and Leicester have the better record in the first two meetings,
drawing 2-2 in the initial third-round tie at White Hart Lane before snatching a 1-0 win in North London three days later.
Team news is just reaching us here at SM HQ, so let's see who's playing tonight...
LEICESTER XI: Schmeichel; De Laet, Wasilewski, Benalouane, Chilwell; Dyer, King, Inler, Drinkwater, Gray; Ulloa
Subs: Schwarzer, Morgan, Kante, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy, Mahrez
SPURS XI: Vorm; Walker, Dier, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Bentaleb; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Son
Subs: Lloris, Trippier, Vertonghen, Alli, Onomah, Winks, Kane
Starting with the home side,
Claudio Ranieri makes just one change to the side that started the initial tie 10 days ago. It comes in central midfield, with Danny Drinkwater getting the nod over N'Golo Kante. The latter is on the bench, along with the likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Shinji Okazaki.
As for Spurs, they have two changes from the 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane. Nabil Bentaleb makes his first start since August in midfield, so Eric Dier drops back into defence. Further forward, Erik Lamela is chosen ahead of Josh Onomah.
So now we know the teams, let's look back on the first leg at White Hart Lane: Spurs took the lead inside eight minutes through Christian Eriksen, but Leicester were soon level through Marcin Wasilewski, who headed home a corner from debutant Demarai Gray. Shinji Okazaki then gave the Foxes the lead shortly after half time before Harry Kane came off the bench to score from the spot late on and force a replay.
© Getty Images
By the way, if you were wondering about tonight's other replay between Liverpool and Exeter then yes, we have got it covered as well.
Open this link in a new tab to follow that one with
the completely-biased Liverpool fan Barney Corkhill.
There's also a tasty Copa del Rey tie between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona that we've got covered
here.
So 2-2 in the initial third-round tie, but Leicester got the better of Spurs in the league game between the two a week ago. Spurs were the better team for the most part, but they could not find a way through the Foxes backline.
Claudio Ranieri's side then silenced the home crowd with a thunderous late header from Robert Huth to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the table.
Both teams were in action at the weekend and they played the Premier League's bottom two sides. Leicester only
managed a 1-1 draw at rockbottom Aston Villa, while Spurs recovered from going a goal down to
beat Sunderland 4-1.
Had Leicester beaten Villa they would be top of the Premier League. As it is, they are only
behind Arsenal on goal difference and just a point ahead of chasing Man City. Spurs complete the top four and they are only five behind the leaders after both the Foxes and Arsenal dropped points on matchday 22.
These two also met in the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage last year - Leicester won 2-1 - so tonight's game will be the seventh meeting in the last two seasons between the two. So far Spurs have won two, Leicester have won two and there have been two draws. So I guess the winner of tonight's match can be crowned the champion of the best-of-seven series.
It's a clear night in Leicester, but temperatures are around the freezing mark. Cold one!
As mentioned above, the winner of tonight's match will travel to League One side Colchester United in the fourth round. It will be a lunchtime kickoff in Essex on Saturday, January 30 and is
due to be broadcast on BT Sport. Colchester, by the way, beat Charlton in the third round.
REFEREE WATCH: The man with the whistle today is
Anthony Taylor, who at the weekend officiated the Yorkshire derby between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United in the Championship. My flatmate who is a Leeds fan regularly calls him Calamity Taylor and he did not exactly cover himself in glory at Hillsborough.
Overall there have been 12 FA Cup meetings between these two, with Spurs winning seven to Leicester's three victories. In those games there have been 45 goals, so hopefully a few more tonight!
Spurs have won the FA Cup eight times, last triumphing in the famous old competition in 1991. They have a pretty incredible record having won eight of the nine finals that they've appeared in, only losing in 1987 3-2 to Coventry City.
Leicester are quite the opposite, getting to the final four times and losing each time. Could this be their year to finally win the trophy? They last got there in 1969 and in fact made it to the final three times in the 60s. In the first of those in 61 they lost to Spurs in front of about 100,000 at Wembley.
CHANGE! Leicester have been forced into a late change at right-back, with Danny Simpson in for Ritchie de Laet. The club haven't said why on Twitter, but one would assume that the latter injured himself in the warm-up.
Speaking of the warm-up...
Bottom-left in that below tweet is Demarai Gray. The youngster impressed on his debut in the initial tie and will want to impress tonight on his home debut. I've seen a lot of him in the Championship and when he's on song, he can be pretty unstoppable. I'm not sure he'll get into Ranieri's Premier League starting lineup this season unless either Albrighton or Mahrez gets injured, but he should have a great future. Left-back Ben Chilwell also makes his home debut tonight.
Here come the two teams out of the tunnel. I've got a feeling that tonight's game could be won or lost from Spurs perspective on the performance of Christian Eriksen. He scored twice at the weekend and also netted in the initial tie at White Hart Lane.
KICKOFF! Off we go then! Spurs get us underway.
Oh, I forgot to make my pre-match prediction. There's not been much to separate these two, so I think it could go into extra time before Spurs just edge it. Who knows, though.
Fast start from Leicester as they give the ball away to Gray and he immediately showcases his rapid pace down the left. His cross is cleared, but then Leicester win a free kick as Lamela goes in high on Inler. Gray swings in the free kick but it's too long and Vorm gobbles it up.
Walker, who is captaining Spurs tonight, looks for Lamela with an incisive pass inside but the Argentinian can't bring it under control. It will be interesting to see who starts at the weekend now that both Walker and Trippier are fit. Walker was the regular in the first half of the season, but Trippier has really impressed of late.
Leicester are pressing Spurs really high early on and their snappiness almost results in a great chance as Drinkwater robs Bentaleb, but the ball runs through to Vorm, who was well off his line and out quickly.
This is one of three straight home games for Leicester, with league visits from Stoke and Liverpool to come, while Spurs start a three-match away stint tonight. They go to Palace and Norwich after this.
You would have though that Son would lead the line for Spurs, but it looks like Chadli is playing the central role at the moment, with Son out on the left and Lamela on the right.
Leicester started the better, but Spurs have got into their rhythm the last few minutes. Eriksen is beginning to pull the strings in the middle and both full-backs are seeing plenty of the ball early on.
CHANCE! First moment of note as Davies picks out Son down the inside-left channel. Eriksen is arriving and Son finds him, although the Dane sidefoots it wide from 16 yards. Not an easy chance, but a player of his technical quality will feel that he should have at least hit the target there.
Spurs have had a whopping 77% possession in the early stages, but that's not Leicester's game. They like to counter-attack and have a knack of taking their chances when they come.
Chadli and Wasilewski in action early on© Getty Images
BOOKING! Spurs left-back Davies is first in the book for a blatant tug on Dyer's shorts after the winger had beat him on the outside.
The resulting free kick is headed out, but Leicester get it back and Gray produces a superb inswinging cross from the left that Davies clears away well under pressure at the back post.
Gray is certainly keen to impress in his first match as a Leicester player at the King Power. It doesn't look like he's going to shy away and just try to not make any mistakes tonight. He wants to showcase his ability.
Spurs work a corner to the edge of the box and although Davies has space to shoot, hitting it first time across your body like that is a difficult skill and the left-back slices it over.
UPDATE: "He's turning into a goal machine!"
says Barney as Joe Allen puts Liverpool 1-0 in front against Exeter.
Back to the King Power and Leicester have a free kick right on the edge of the box as Chilwell goes on a run down the left before cutting inside and getting brought down by Carroll, who already tonight has gone in half-heartedly in three or four tackles.
SAVE! Our first shot on target comes from the free kick as Inler's curling effort goes straight at Vorm. Well-hit, but far too central from the Leicester midfielder.
Davies tries his luck again from range after a corner was cleared his way and once again he doesn't trouble Schmeichel, this time dragging it wide.
Chadli receives the ball in a good position in the left-hand corner of the box and uses Davies's overlapping run for a bit of room before having his shot blocked. Schmeichel still to be tested in the Leicester goal.
Schmeichel was diving there as Eriksen curled for the far corner, but Benalouane made a good block to stop the Dane's shot.
CHANCE! Lamela isn't known for his heading ability and you can see why here as he heads well over the top from a great Davies cross.
Carroll has a pop after being given space 25 yards out, but that's another off-target effort from the visitors.
Here's the moment Davies hauled back Dyer to go into the book© Getty Images
GOAL! LEICESTER 0-1 SPURS (SON HEUNG-MIN)
Deadlock broken out of nowhere as Son runs at Chilwell before shifting the ball quickly to his right and lashing a dipping drive past Schmeichel at the near post. The keeper will be angry to have let one in there, but it was a sweet hit from Son.
Leicester look for a quick fightback and Ulloa has space about 20 yards out, but that was never troubling Vorm as the Dutch keeper watches it over the top.
Wimmer makes a key interception to clear out Gray's cross after more exciting play by the youngster down the left. Nothing from the resulting corner. If Spurs can keep this lead to half time, Pochettino will be a happy man.
CLOSE! A second goal would be even better and the visitors threaten it as Walker produces a fantastic cross from the right that is just too far ahead of Chadli. The Belgian might have been able to lunge for it had Simpson not got his body in the way and shepherded it out well.
Just a minute of added time at the end of the opening 45.
Son in a very similar position to where he scored the goal, but this time Chilwell doesn't let him get away and makes the block.
HALF-TIME: LEICESTER 0-1 SPURS
Not much to speak of in the first half there, but it's Spurs who lead at the break thanks to a great hit from Son. As it stands, the North London side will be advancing to face Colchester in the fourth round. We'll be back for the second half in no time!
OK then. Players not quite back out for the second half yet, but I'm hearing that Leicester are going to make a half-time change and bring on Shinji Okazaki. They do need something more in attack.
LEICESTER SUB: It's Drinkwater off for the Japanese striker.
KICKOFF! Aaand we're back underway at the King Power.
Bright start to the half from Spurs and they almost have a chance on the counter-attack, but Leicester just about scramble back and prevent Eriksen finding the right pass.
Spurs are threatening a second goal here as Eriksen curls over an inviting ball from the right that Benalouane heads out for a corner.
Pretty big crowd in tonight, with 30,006 total, including 3,257 Spurs fans who have made the trip North.
SAVE! Gray almost scores a beauty on his home debut! Spurs make a mess of clearing their lines and the ball is worked wide to Gray, who looks for the far corner with a curler that Vorm pushes wide.
Dear me! Lamela has had a shocker here. Spurs break after Leicester almost have a chance of their own and Lamela has Eriksen to one side and Son the other, but somehow manages to pass in the middle of the two and through to Schmeichel.
Spurs started the half well, but it's been all Leicester the last seven-eight minutes. Gray continues to impress out on the left and Okazaki has given them some life in attack.
SPURS SUB: The visitors make a change and it's certainly one of intent as Kane replaces Lamela. The latter has been pretty anonymous and it's no surprise to see him taken off.
SAVE! And Kane is straight into the action as he works Schmeichel with a drive from a tight angle. It all came after some really neat footwork from Eriksen, who fed Son and then Kane was found on the right. That's the first save Schmeichel has made.
LEICESTER SUB: Albrighton on for the home side and he will play at right-back as he takes Simpson's place.
The first thing Albrighton produces is a lovely crossfield ball to Dyer, whose first touch is great but he then overhits his dinked ball over the top for Okazaki. Very end-to-end since half time. Hard to keep up!
GOAL! LEICESTER 0-2 SPURS (NACER CHADLI)
Is that game over? Schmeichel beaten again at his near post as Chadli slides it home after a superb through-ball from Son. Are the eight-time champions on their way to the fourth round?
CLOSE! Leicester need a goal to give themselves hope of staying alive in the Cup and they almost get it as Albrighton pings over a low cross that Ulloa tries to flick home. He doesn't get enough on it though and Spurs survive.
SAVE! A third goal would put this to bed and Kane goes close, surging forward before testing Schmeichel with a low shot across goal. He didn't quite hit it as sweetly as he would have liked.
SPURS SUB: After scoring the second goal, Chadli is off. Onomah on in his place.
LEICESTER SUB: The crowd get very excited as Vardy replaces Dyer. That makes it three strikers on the field for Leicester.
Not quite sure how Wasilewski hasn't been booked here. He nearly kicked Kane in the face after the England striker had beaten him to the ball down the left touchline. Maybe Taylor was scared of the big defender.
The Spurs fans have started to "Ole!" They look pretty comfortable in possession at the moment and it's hard to see the home side scoring twice in the final 10 minutes or so.
Almost an opening for Leicester as Vardy volleys the ball into Ulloa's path. The ball is just ahead of the Argentine and he tries to prod it back across for his striker partner, but Vorm is out to gather.
SPURS SUB: Son's been impressive for Spurs, but his evening is over as Dele Alli comes on for the last few minutes.
Gray has a go from distance and although it's well-struck, Vorm always knew it was going over the top.
Vardy has gone off the boil of late and he looks a bit desperate for a goal here as he swipes at the ball with his weaker left foot after just failing to take the initial loose ball in his stride. Surely it's too late for Leicester to mount a fightback now.
SAVE! A goal here might have made it interesting! Chilwell floats a cross to the back post where Albrighton is waiting and his volley at goal is straight at Vorm, who makes the save.
BOOKING! Albrighton is then booked for a foul as Spurs looked to counter.
There will be three minutes of added time, but Spurs are home and dry now.
SAVE! Albrighton's deep free kick is met by Ulloa and Vorm takes no chances, palming it over the bar for a corner.
FULL-TIME: LEICESTER 0-2 SPURS
It's Spurs who advance to the fourth round and you have to say that they fully deserve it. Two very well-taken goals against a Leicester side who rarely cut open the visitors' backline.
Mauricio Pochettino's side will travel to Colchester United in the fourth round on Saturday, January 30. As for Leicester, it's all about the league for them now. Can they finish in the top four, or maybe even win the whole thing?!
Anyway, that's all we've got time for on this commentary. I'll leave you with our
match report and urge you to come back for the fourth round in 10 days' time here on
Sports Mole!