Match Pack: Leicester City v Watford

By: Watford FC Staff

Match Info

  • Leicester City v Watford
  • King Power Stadium
  • Emirates FA Cup, third round
  • Saturday January 8, 3pm GMT
  • Red away kit with red shorts

Officials

  • Referee: Mike Dean
  • Assistant Referees: Simon Beck, Timothy Wood
  • Fourth Official: James Linington
  • VAR: Stuart Attwell
  • Assistant VAR: Marc Perry

Opposition

Watford last faced Leicester City in November, with the Foxes winning the game 4-2 at the King Power Stadium. Since then, Brendan Rodgers' side have won once in the Premier League and currently sit in 10th place. Leicester are the current holders of the FA Cup, having beaten Chelsea in the final last year.

Key Stats

  • Watford last faced Leicester City in the FA Cup in February 1982 during a fifth-round clash, with the Foxes coming out on top 2-0 at Filbert Street.

  • Watford have been eliminated in all three of their previous FA Cup ties with the Foxes, losing in 1909 (following a replay), 1936 and 1982.

  • The last time the Golden Boys faced the holders of the FA Cup was against Arsenal in the 2015/16 season, with Watford coming out on top 2-1 en route to the semi-finals that campaign.

For all of the stats ahead of our third-round tie, check out Stats Buzz FA Cup: Foxes In Figures

Team News

A slight knock suffered in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur means Emmanuel Dennis will likely be absent this weekend.

Ben Foster (groin) has been training with the team and is getting closer to full fitness, while Christian Kabasele (calf) returned to training in the latter part of this week and Kiko Femenía (hamstring) hopes to re-join the group at London Colney next week.

New signings Hassane Kamara and Samir are being assessed today (Friday) before a decision is made on their inclusion in this weekend’s FA Cup tie.

The hosts will be without Jamie Vardy due to injury, as well as Jonny Evans. Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Luke Thomas are out. Daniel Amartey, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Nampalys Mendy are also unavailable due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

What Are They Saying?

Claudio Ranieri, Watford Head Coach:
“The FA Cup is important. I reached the final with Chelsea, I won the Italian Cup and the Spanish Cup. Of course, I would like to win the FA Cup but now for us it is important to preserve some players for the next matches.

“I’m sure there will be some players who are not used to playing, they will have an opportunity to show their quality and to be part of the Watford squad.”

Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City Head Coach:
“The Liverpool win was a super human effort by the players, with everything surrounding it. What they put into the game was incredible. It tells you everything about the spirit and resilience of the team.

“We’re going to need more of that going forward because we need to keep that spirit and mentality. With a bit of luck, we’ll get more wins.”

Head-to-Head

Overall:

  • Won: 21
  • Drawn: 18
  • Lost: 31

Last Six:
November 2021: Leicester City 4-2 Watford (Premier League)
June 2020: Watford 1-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
December 2019: Leicester City 2-0 Watford (Premier League)
March 2019: Watford 2-1 Leicester City (Premier League)
December 2018: Leicester City 2-0 Watford (Premier League)
January 2018: Leicester City 2-0 Watford (Premier League)

Golden Flashback

Nathaniel Chalobah scored the eventual Goal of the Season against the Foxes as part of a 2-1 victory in the 2012/13 season, just weeks before the sides would clash in the Championship play-offs.

Listen Live

Join host Jon Marks and Hornets legend Tommy Mooney for free live commentary from the King Power Stadium on Saturday by heading to www.watfordfc.com/live from 2.45pm.

Share this article

Other News