Match overview
Cheltenham Town welcome Leicester City to The EV Charger Points Stadium in a Round 3 FA Cup tie that carries all the romance of cup football: a modest 7,066-capacity ground, a home side riding pockets of form and a Championship opponent expected to provide sterner opposition. Referee James Linington will oversee a fixture scheduled for 12:15 on 10/01/2026, and the scene is set for a classic David vs Goliath narrative — though the numbers suggest this is no foregone conclusion.
Form and recent results
Cheltenham arrive in decent nick. Their last five results reveal a side capable of big swings: a 3-0 league win over Crawley Town preceded by a heavy 4-1 reversal at Crewe, but also recent successes against Shrewsbury and Barrow that show resilience. The home metrics underline who they are — aggressive in attack with 26 total shots across a short sample and 13 on target, averaging six corners and creating 83 attacks per match. That attacking appetite has yielded seven goals at home while only conceding two there, a tidy return.
Leicester’s recent run is more patchy. They edged West Bromwich Albion 2-1 in midweek after some mixed Championship results, including a 3-1 loss at Sheffield United. Their form line counts more defeats than wins over the last ten outings, though they remain capable of turning up when it matters. The Foxes bring confidence from a narrow triumph and will fancy their chances given the perceived gulf in resources and squad depth, a gap reflected in bookmakers’ pricing.
Tactical battle and key numbers
Cheltenham’s data paints them as an energetic pressing side at home, creating dangerous attacks and getting plenty of shots on frame. That bodes well for underdog hope; cup games have a habit of rewarding teams who force the pace and make a lower-ranked opponent uncomfortable. Leicester, meanwhile, travel with Championship momentum and the expectation to control possession and capitalize on mistakes.
The betting market currently leans heavily to Leicester — the away win is priced around 1.58 with a probability implied at about 63%. A draw sits at 4.00 while a Cheltenham victory is long at 5.70. Those odds reflect both Leicester’s standing and the pragmatic wisdom that cup upsets, while celebrated, are not the default outcome.
Prediction and Betting Tips
This FA Cup clash should be competitive, but the smart money aligns with Leicester to progress. Cheltenham’s home strengths — fast attacks, good corner numbers and a recent 3-0 win — make them dangerous and capable of troubling the visitors, and the tie could well see moments of high drama. For punters focused on match outcome the recommended angle is to back Leicester to win on the 1X2 market; the price mirrors bookies’ confidence and Leicester’s status as favorites.
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Final betting suggestion
Best single pick: Leicester City to win (1X2) — stake with discipline given cup volatility and consider a conservative stake size.
