Soccer has a history of random draws for all sorts of competitions. At least in international affairs like the World Cup and the Euros, the best teams in the world aren't going to play against each other until the knockout rounds instead of in the group stages. However, when it comes time for knockout play, all bets are off.
In the case of the FA Cup, both Tottenham and Leicester City have gotten the short end of the stick. Entering this week, they're the No. 4 and No. 2 teams in all of England respectively per their standings in the Premier League, but instead of being drawn against some League 2 side still kicking around after playing a couple matches, they have to play against each other. One of the true giants of the season will be knocked out of the FA Cup after playing just 90 (or 180!) minutes.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tottenham -143
Leicester City +415
Draw +285
Over/Under 2.5 (over -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
You can pretty much rip up the form book when you're talking about cup competition, especially here in the early stages of the FA Cup where big time teams tend to rest their players without any guarantee of advancement even if all of the regulars were in the fold.
In this case though, Tottenham and Leicester City are on even terms, at least in terms of what they're playing for. Both have to be far more concerned about the Premier League and the chance to play in the Champions League next year than what happens in the third round of the FA Cup.
That said, Tottenham is favored by a -143 margin on the moneyline due to the fact that its reserves are largely looked upon as deeper and generally better than those of the Foxes. Let's not forget as well that Mauricio Pochettino has a history of playing strong sides in matches which don't necessarily mean all that much in the Europa League and the Capital One Cup, so we wouldn't be shocked to see at least half of the regular Starting XI on Sunday.
RECENT FORM
Tottenham's run of three straight wins came to a close on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. It was considered to be a drab showing for the Spurs after being in such great form with wins over Watford, Norwich and Southampton in succession around the holidays. What is worth noting is that the Spurs have already had one awful draw to their name in a domestic cup, getting beaten in their opening Capital One Cup match by Arsenal 2-1 at home.
One has to wonder if the cracks are starting to show for the Foxes. They're still hanging firm going into the new year, but they've now managed just two points from their last three matches, and they're facing the prospects of perhaps selling Jamie Vardy when his asking price on the transfer window would be sky high. It's an interesting storyline to continue to visit before this fixture and for the rest of January.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Tottenham is probably going to end up playing this one out a little more diligently than Leicester City will. All too often, motivation is the decisive factor in these early round FA Cup matches, and we just don't see the tired and worn out Foxes being ready to put up a fight on the road against a very good team, even if it is just a second-team on the pitch for both sides.
The Spurs will probably field a few of the regulars one way or the other, and though we haven't heard a lot yet in the 2015-16 term from Harry Kane, this might be the day that all that changes.
Tottenham 3, Leicester City 1
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