Chelsea vs Leicester Prediction, Preview, Team News and Betting Tips
Chelsea vs Leicester Premier League
Chelsea and Leicester are set to become the 117th different pairing in the FA Cup’s 140th showpiece event. The ‘Blues’, who saw their seven-game unbeaten run end in midweek (W5, D2), will be eager to avoid becoming the first side since Newcastle (1999) to lose consecutive finals, although only vs Hull (11) have they played more FA Cup games without losing than against the ‘Foxes’ (nine – W7, D2).
Thomas Tuchel makes history here by becoming the first German coach to lead a team out in the final, and he’ll know Chelsea’s defense – which is yet to concede in the competition under his tenure – has been key. He’ll likely rely on that backline again as Chelsea have scored just one goal in four of their previous five final appearances, and have never netted more than twice across 15 previous finals.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is eyeing up his own slice of history as he looks to become the first manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win both Scotland and England’s flagship cup competitions. However, history isn’t on his side given Leicester have made the most FA Cup final appearances without winning (four). It’s been a straightforward run this season though, scoring first in four of their five FA Cup victories.
Within that run, they were particularly dangerous in the 50’-60’ segment, scoring at least once during this period in four fixtures. Whilst across their last four competitive matches (W2, D1, L1), it’s worth noting that five of their seven goals came after the 60th minute.
Players to score: Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic is hoping to follow in the footsteps of club great Didier Drogba by becoming the first player since him to score in consecutive competition finals. No player has scored more competition goals this season than Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho (four) – he’s netted the opener in the last three rounds.
Hot stat: The last final played before the league season ended (2012/13) saw the underdogs secure a shock victory (Wigan 1-0 vs Manchester City).
Prediction: Chelsea [2] vs [1] Leicester