ANDONI Iraola warned Leicester City will provide his side a “very difficult game”, but described the tie as a “great chance” for Cherries to book a rare FA Cup quarter-final spot.
Only twice in the club’s history have Cherries reached the last eight of the sport’s oldest cup competition, in 1957 and 2021.
They will look to do so again tonight, welcoming Enzo Maresca’s Foxes to Vitality Stadium (7.30pm).
Relegated last season, Leicester currently sit top of the Championship table, but have lost their last two fixtures.
Looking ahead to the game, Iraola said: “I think it’s a good chance for us. It’s a great chance, but also a challenge.
“If we win, I think it’s very nice to have the chance to be in the last eight.
“But also we know it’s going to be a big challenge, because we are going to be facing a very, very good team.
“I think they are playing really, really well. I think they are showing they are the best team in the Championship.
“Even the other day when they lost, I think they deserved to win the game quite easily, I would say.
“I expect a very difficult game. But I hope we are at our best level, then we will have chances.”
He added: “Even when they had their last two defeats, it’s not that they were not doing the same things.
“They have a clear philosophy, they have a clear idea of how they want to play and I expect them full of confidence.
“Also I remember the game they played at Anfield in the Carabao Cup (a 3-1 loss).
“They were very, very close to surprising Liverpool, so I expect them to be strong.
“Maresca comes having learnt from the City Group, especially in the build-up there are a lot of the same ideas we faced the other day against Man City.
“Especially offensively they are a good team.
“I think there is a big, big chance they will be in the Premier League next season.
“I think they have been the best team in the Championship. They are playing very nice football.
“I think it is going to be a difficult game for us. But also, we are in a good moment.
“Even if we are not winning games, we have some players in a good level and if we give our level, I think we have a chance to be in the quarter-finals, which is what we want.”
Asked how he assesses the challenge of facing Leicester compared to other Championship clubs Cherries have faced earlier this season, Iraola said: “We’ve played against some other Championship teams in the cups and in pre-season.
“They (Leicester) have shown they are the best team. They are top of the table, have scored 70 goals, have different options, can change the team with a very good squad.
“I am sure, even if they don’t start, the key players will be on the bench and if they see the chance, they will bring them on at half-time or on 53 minutes.
“They will want to come here, impose their game, show everyone how good they are, because they are. We will try to not let them do it.”
