>
>
Less than 30 miles separate the two clubs, and when Nottingham Forest take on Leicester, there are usually fireworks.
So when the two were drawn alongside one another in the third round of the FA Cup this year, many expected that to be the case once again.
It was not to be, the two sides fought out a rather bland 0-0 that meant they would face each other once again in a replay.
One thing is true, however, this time it cannot end goalless. There must be a winner by the end of Tuesday night, even if that means it going to penalties at the King Power Stadium.
Neither of these sides will see the FA Cup as the be-all and end-all of their season. Both have more pressing matters in the Championship to deal with. Forest are deeply embroiled in a relegation battle, while Leicester will still have aspirations of reaching the play-offs.
But this is and East Midlands derby, and after serving up a damp squib in the first game, these two sides will be going at one another hammer and tongs.
Remarkably, considering the history of the two sides, last week’s game was the first time that the two had met in the FA Cup.
However, they had already met in the Championship this season, in a game that also ended up all square – 2-2 on that occasion.
Last time Forest visited Leicester, though, it was the Foxes who came out on top, winning the game 1-0.
Indeed, it is a fixture that in recent years has tended to favour the home side. Merely two seasons ago, Forest thrashed Leicester 5-1 at the City Ground, before heading to what was then called the Walkers Stadium to be beaten 3-0.
Match Winner
So what can we expect on this occasion? Form would certainly point towards a home win, with big spending Leicester faring much better in the league than their local rivals.
However, if the FA Cup is the place for upsets, then the local derby almost certainly is the game for tearing up the form guide.
Leicester will be the favourites going into this game, with Bet365 offering odds of 1.73 (8/11). Forest can be backed at 5.00 (4/1), while the draw (inside the regulation 90 minutes) is 3.50 (5/2).
First Goal Scorer
David Nugent is the bookies favourite to open the scoring – he scored the winner at this stage of the tournament for Portsmouth against Ipswich in 2008, as Pompey went on to win the tournament. He is 5.50 (9/2) with SkyBet.
Jermaine Beckford and Steve Howard can both be backed at 6.00 (5/1), with Jeffrey Schlupp available at 7.00 (6/1).
Nottingham Forest’s Marcus Tudgay is 9.00 (8/1) with Ladbrokes to get the game’s first goal, while his team mate, Marlon Harewood is 11.00 (10/1).
Recommended Bets
A repeat of last season’s 1-0 Championship win for Leicester may well be a likely outcome, and at 7.00 (6/1) seems very tempting.
Another 0-0, like it was in the previous game, could well be the case after 90 minutes, and for that to happen, TitanBet are offering 9.00 (8/1).
Finally, you may just decide to back one of these sides to qualify for the next round by any means. Forest are 2.75 (7/4) to do just that with Bet365.
