Newcastle United vs Leicester City

St James’ Park forms the backdrop for an exciting League Cup quarter-final tie between Newcastle United and Leicester City.

Newcastle United head into proceedings on the back of an underwhelming 2-1 defeat to third-tier Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, with Eddie Howe’s men seemingly running out of steam. After an eye-catching eight-match winning streak in domestic action, the ‘Magpies’ have been winless in their last three outings (D2, L1), failing to get on the scoresheet twice in the process. However, Newcastle dismantled Leicester 3-0 on Boxing Day and could beat them twice in the same season for the first time since 1994/95. Even a narrow win would do for Howe’s team, and after their last six League Cup ties produced a meager seven goals at an average of 1.16 per game, a drab affair seems to be on the cards.

On the other hand, Premier League relegation fighters Leicester City returned to winning ways for the first time since the World Cup, overcoming fourth-tier Gillingham 1-0 in the FA Cup last time out. After halting a dreadful run of three straight league defeats, the ‘Foxes’ will be out to defy a woeful League Cup quarter-final record, having bowed out in four of their last five appearances at this stage. Brendan Rodgers’ men are likely to put their trust in the hands of their defense, which has kept a clean sheet in all three League Cup fixtures this season. Adding to this sentiment, the visitors have racked up five victories ‘to nil’ on their last six competitive road trips (L1), highlighting the importance of scoring the opening goal.