Millwall vs Leicester Prediction: Back the Foxes to win from behind

The FA Cup really kicks into gear at the weekend, as a host of Third Round ties take over the domestic footballing calendar. On Saturday lunchtime (12:30), we have an all-Championship clash at the New Den, between Millwall and table-topping Leicester City. As always, we've previewed the game and given you our betting predictions. 

What a season it's been so far for Leicester City, as they attempt an immediate bounce back to the Premier League, following their relegation last summer.

Gone is the Brendan Rodgers style and the desperate stop-gap methods employed under Dean Smith, as they fought the drop and in comes a flowing, progressive style under new head coach Enzo Maresco. My colleague Conor Keane covered his playing style in greater depth recently here.

This has resulted in a tremendous run of form, with the Foxes 10 points clear at the top of the Championship more than half way through the season, after 10 games unbeaten and 65 points from a possible 78.

While this game might be seen as a slight irritant to City, it certainly won't be for Millwall, who are sat in the relative comfort of mid-table and will relish another historic FA Cup run.

Of course, back in 2004 the Lions reached their first ever major domestic cup final, before being beaten 3-0 by a Ruud van Nistelrooy-inspired Manchester United.

Those days are long-since gone but the desire remains in South East London to play amongst the elite once more and they will have to beat a fantastic footballing side to get to the fourth round.

Team news

Lions boss Joe Edwards has admitted he may have to make some enforced changes, after a condensed period of fixtures over the festive schedule. Several players are on the treatment table and being assessed by the medical staff at Calmont Road and that will play a huge part on the level of first team that he can muster. Wes Harding is expected to return, however, after his absence for the last two fixtures.

As for Leicester, with Championship promotion their main target,  Maresco could also be tempted to rotate the pack here and give some of his fringe squad players a run out.

Match odds

As reflected by their respective league positions, Millwall come into this as 11/4 outsiders, with Leicester odds on at 5/6 and the draw available at 12/5.

Goals are on the cards with over 2.5 currently trading at 8/11 and BTTS is also a favourite at 4/6.

Leicester City to win and Both Teams To Score - 5/2

With so much uncertainty surrounding both squads, I've ventured away from player-related props and stuck to the major markets.

First up is a bet that would have won on 11 occasions this season for the Foxes. Despite leading the league by some margin, City have struggled to keep clean sheets at times and instead have relied on their scoring prowess.

Meanwhile, Millwall are on a fine run, winning their last three Championship games to nil, so will be no easy pushovers.

With that in mind, I'll take Leicester to win and both teams to score as our main bet.

Millwall/Leicester HT/FT - 22/1

Also along those lines and for a little bit of pocket change, I also like the Lions to take the lead before a second half City fightback.

The odds of 22/1 certainly attract, as the Millwall crowd will be bang up for this one early and it may take a late comeback from Maresco's charges to get them into the hat for the next round.

You can find all our latest Football Betting Tips over at our Betfred Insights hub.