Leicester City bring the Quarter-Finals to a close as they welcome Manchester United to King Power Stadium in 2020-21 FA Cup.
Having exited at this stage in two of the last three seasons, Leicester are looking to advance to the semi-finals for the first time in 39 years.
Man Utd meanwhile are looking to reach the last four for a fourth time in the last six seasons.
Team News
Ricardo Pereira is ruled out for Leicester after failing to recover from a hamstring strain suffered in last weekend’s league win over Sheffield United.
Dennis Praet (hamstring) and Sidnei Tavares (illness) are expected to be in contention but Harvey Barnes, James Justin (both knee), Wes Morgan (back), James Maddison (hip) and Cengiz Under (thigh) remain ruled out.
Man Utd could be without Marcus Rashford after the England international was substituted at half-time with a knock in Thursday’s away Europa League win at AC Milan.
Eric Bailly, Edinson Cavani (both knock) and Anthony Martial (hip) also face late fitness tests alongside Rashford, whilst Juan Mata (unspecified) and Phil Jones (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Leicester have lost each of their two previous FA Cup meetings against Manchester United (L2).
- Man Utd are visiting the King Power Stadium for the first time in Cup competition, but won one of their two visits in all cup competitions to Leicester’s old Filbert Street ground (W1, L1).
- All eight of Leicester’s FA Cup goals this season have each come from a different goal scorer.
- Two of United’s five FA Cup goals this season were scored by Scott McTominay.
- Craig Pawson is refereeing a Leicester game in domestic cup competitions for the first time this season, although he was in charge of Utd’s Fourth Round 20 over Liverpool which was also live on BBC1 with 5pm kick-off.
Prediction
Following a fairly shaky few weeks following the loss of two key players in Barnes and Maddison, Leicester look to have finally found a way to cope without them after a impressive attacking win over Sheffield United last weekend with strong pressing and counter-attacks.
Man Utd meanwhile have certainly found themselves in some scrappy contests in recent weeks against tough competition, yet have managed to dig deep and only concede once despite often lacking end product up front at times despite dominance.
We however are coming towards the final throes of a cramped season and having exited the Europa League last month on top of last week’s dominant performance, I feel that Leicester will have enough in them to cause a cupset unless Utd are clinical.
Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 (AET) Manchester United