92nd placed Gillingham welcome Premier League Leicester in the FA Cup this weekend. James Cantrill previews the game picking out his best bet.
Football betting tips: Premier League
1pt Youri Tielemans to score anytime at 16/5 (Betfair Sportsbook, Paddy Power)
An illustrious competition, renowned for captivating the imagination, the FA Cup did not disappoint last season as upsets were rife.
In eight of the 32 third round games, lower league sides prevailed.
National League North's Kidderminster Harriers beat a Reading team some four leagues above them in the pyramid, which was undoubtedly the pick of the bunch, with other highlights including Boreham Wood's win against Wimbledon and Cambridge United's triumph away at Premier League Newcastle.
League Two Swindon scored against the best team in the land, Manchester City, Chesterfield scored at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, Morecambe found the net against Tottenham and Shrewsbury did the same away at Anfield.
Gillingham may currently prop up the fourth tier of English football, entering this game some 80 places below Leicester, but the strugglers will draw some inspiration from those results last January.
Despite winning the FA Cup in 2021, during his time with the Foxes, Brendan Rodgers has been known the shuffle his deck in the third round, particularly against lower league opposition.
In his first season at the King Power he made 10 changes in this round, then eight in his second campaign and nine last season.
They are yet to suffer an early elimination under Rodgers, winning those three games by an aggregate score line of 10-1.
Gillingham boss Neil Harris does not seem to be a huge believer in the magic of this competition, making wholesale changes like his counterpart.
Although I have tried, I just cannot find an excuse to get the hosts onside at a big price.
Instead, backing YOURI TIELEMANS to SCORE ANYTIME is the play, his price with Betfair and Paddy Power is considerably bigger then anywhere else.
The midfielder is not enjoying his best stint at the club but has found the net four times this campaign, including one in their most recent cup game against MK Dons.
The Belgian international has scored in half of his eight appearances in the FA Cup, including one at Wembley as his side lifted the trophy.
If he does get the nod to start at Priestfield Stadium, he should show his class, after all this is a player that graced the Champions League at just 16-years old.
Gillingham v Leicester best bets and score prediction
- 1pt Youri Tielemans to score anytime at 16/5 (Betfair Sportsbook, Paddy Power)
Score prediction: Gillingham 0-3 Leicester (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)
Odds correct at 1500 GMT (04/01/23)
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