Leicester City defender Jack Hobbs has promised that his side will be throwing caution to the wind when they visit Cardiff City in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals on Wednesday night (Cardiff evens Draw 23/10 Leicester 11/4).
Cardiff hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Walkers Stadium, after Peter Whittingham scored his 24th goal of the season to give the Bluebirds a vital away win.
Yet the former Liverpool defender Hobbs believes that Leicester can still reach the play-off final: “We will go there with all guns blazing and come flying out of the traps, create as many chances as we can and, hopefully, take them.
“They will have a problem because they have a one-goal lead, so do they sit back or do they come at us? We know we have to come out all guns firing, hopefully get an early goal and then go from there.”
Leicester must overcome the odds to beat a Cardiff side that are unbeaten in their last seven home games at the Cardiff City Stadium, in a run which included a 2-1 win over the Foxes. Cardiff also beat Leicester at home in the FA Cup this season.
History shows that winning promotion might now prove tough for Leicester. No team has overcome a first-leg semi-final deficit and then went on to win the play-offs, since Bolton Wanderers won promotion in 1995 (Cardiff 11/10 to be promoted, Leicester 6/1).
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson’s options may be boosted if defender Wayne Brown and on-loan Everton striker James Vaughan pass late fitness tests, while Steve Howard is available again having served a suspension. Chris Burke and Anthony Gerrard are both doubtful to play for Cardiff.
The winners will face Blackpool in the play-off final at Wembley, after Ian Holloway’s team came from behind twice, to eventually beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 at the City Ground, giving the Seasiders a 6-4 aggregate victory.
Blackpool were not fancied against a Forest side that were unbeaten in their last 20 home games and had not conceded a goal at the City Ground in more than 12 hours. A second half hat-trick from striker DJ Campbell, gave Blackpool an unexpected victory and a shot at their first promotion to the top flight since 1970.
A delighted Ian Holloway said after the match: “I said it would have to be the best we have ever played if we were to do it – and I think it was the best we have ever played.”
“We are still learning and still evolving but we have achieved something mega.
“We are within 90 minutes of playing in the Premier League and that is unbelievable.”
ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.