Steve Cooper will be hoping to take Nottingham Forest into the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, but the Reds face difficult opposition in the form of East Midlands rivals Leicester City.
Forest have won seven of their previous ten matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the last round.
The Reds will reach the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2014 if they can defeat the Foxes this weekend.
CBJ Target caught up with several Leicester City supporters to find out their predictions ahead of the meeting at the City Ground.
How long have you followed Leicester City?
I’ve been a Leicester fan for as long as I remember, coming from a family of Foxes fans, I had no choice!
My first game was in April 1999, when I was six and I’ve not looked back since. It’s been a pretty eventful journey since that first game!
What does the FA Cup as a competition mean to you?
There’s always been something very special about the FA Cup, and I have a lot of memories from the competition throughout the years.
It was always the trophy that had evaded Leicester, and I know my dad had always talked about the dream of seeing City lift it one day, a dream which eventually came true last year. I still smile thinking about that day.
How much pressure lies on the Foxes going into this game?
The fact that the league season hasn’t been as successful as first hoped probably puts more pressure on more FA Cup success.
Going into the game as holders puts more expectation on Leicester too, plus the fact that the two teams have not met since 2014.
A big away following will be looking to make more FA Cup memories with anticipation for the game building throughout the week.
Having seen Leicester end their curse in the FA Cup last year by lifting the trophy, how much of an ask is it for Leicester to retain the Cup?
Leicester know what it takes to win the FA Cup now which hopefully has broken the hoodoo around the competition for the club.
However, as holders, they are obviously there to be shot at, teams will see it as even more as a coup to knock out the holders which will make it more difficult.
What’s your score prediction for the game and why?
Leicester have had a two week winter break & the return of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho from AFCON duty will come as a huge boost.
Brendan Rodgers could name a strong lineup and if they play anywhere near their best, then they should have too much for Forest.
Prediction: Forest 1-3 Leicester
How long have you followed Leicester City?
I went to my first game just a few weeks after my fifth birthday. It might have been over 15 years ago now, but I still remember that being the moment where I was hooked. It’s been quite a journey since!
What does the FA Cup mean as a competition for you?
I think there is a habit by some Premier League fans to play down the role of the FA Cup- they suggest the league is more important. But that Saturday in May proved how important this competition is.
I can’t describe how fortunate I was to watch that moment in front of my very eyes. This competition gave me one of the best days of my life- so, for that reason, it’s important.
How much pressure is there on Leicester coming into this tie?
It really depends how you look at it. From the squad’s perspective, it’s just another game and an opportunity to progress into round five. But for supporters, this is the tie they’ve dreamt about since promotion to the top-flight in 2014.
I still remember how I felt when Leicester scored in the last minute of the entire season to snatch Forest’s playoff space- it was a moment which summed up the great rivalry between the two. So perhaps that adds a layer of pressure for the squad going into Sunday.
How much of an ask is it for Leicester to retain their title?
Even at this stage last season there was no talk of Leicester going all the way. Although, last season’s final proved that they can beat anyone on their day.
It’s inevitable that they will be touted from the outside, but one thing Brendan Rodgers is fantastic at is keeping the squad level-headed.
With an injury crisis, it may be a challenge- but one thing you can never do with the Foxes is predict what’s going to happen. That’s why the last decade has been so exciting!
What is you score prediction?
Personally, I think it will be closer than some people think. Browsing through social media on the day of the draw, Forest fans seemed just as hungry.
With a few injuries, it’s inevitable that Rodgers will turn to a few youngsters. But, even with a depleted squad, the Foxes’ comfortably cruised past Watford in round three.
Prediction: Forest 2-3 Leicester
