Leicester City kick off their title defence against ex Foxes manager – Claudio Ranieri as the Italian brings Watford to King Power Stadium.
Victory would see the reigning champions advance to the Fourth Round for the fifth time in six seasons, whereas Watford are looking to reach the next stage for the first time since reaching the Final of 2018-19 season.
Team News
Ryan Bertrand could return for Leicester after recovering from a knee injury which forced him to miss their win over Liverpool during the festive period.
Harvey Barnes (illness) and James Maddison (knock) are set to also be in contention.
Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are absent due to international call-ups for Africa Cup of Nations.
Ricardo Pereira (shin), James Justin (knee), Wesley Fofana (leg), Jonny Evans, Jamie Vardy (both thigh), Caglar Soyuncu and Patson Daka (both hamstring) remain absent.
Watford could welcome Ben Foster back from a groin injury which had sidelined him in recent weeks.
Samir and Hassane Kamara are in contention to make their Hornets debut after joining the club this week.
Danny Rose (knee), Christian Kabasele (calf) and Emmanuel Dennis (knock) are doubts and won’t be risked in the starting line-up unless they pass late fitness tests.
Peter Etebo (quad), Kwadwo Baah (ankle), Nicolas N’Koulou, Kiko Femenia (both hamstring), Ismaila Sarr (knee) remain absent.
Imran Louza, Adam Masina and William Troost-Ekong are away on international duty at Africa Cup of Nations.
Stat Attack
- Leicester are unbeaten against Watford in four matches across three FA Cup ties (W3, D1).
- Watford have lost all three FA Cup visits to Leicester (L3), although this is the first FA Cup tie between these two teams at King Power Stadium as all three previous ties were held at Filbert Street.
- Both teams have netted in three of four FA Cup matches in this fixture.
- All three of Youri Tielemans’ FA Cup goals for Leicester last season came after half-time.
- Watford have lost each of their last two FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition without scoring, during which they conceded seven goals.
Prediction
Having experienced an upturn in attacking fortunes in recent games despite their defensive issues, Leicester should really come here as favourites but their injury crisis makes it difficult to guess how serious they could take this match.
Watford meanwhile will be eager to build on a stubborn defensive performance in their cruel New Years’ Day loss to Tottenham, although their priority will be on their Premier League relegation scrap so I am expecting a second-choice line-up here who should take this chance to impress.
I am therefore anticipating a tough battle here because the Foxes won’t want their title defence to end early, whereas Watford could do with a cup run to boost morale but if Dennis misses out, I can see just one result coming here given Leicester’s freshness.
Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Watford
Result: Leicester 4-1 Watford
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