It was an unpleasant experience for Chelsea Football Club on Saturday night as the Blues missed a golden chance to bag their first trophy of the season after a shocking 1-0 loss at the hands of Leicester City in the FA Cup final.
Thomas Tuchel has done a great job since his appointment as Chelsea’s head coach with the London team seeing a good amount of quality results over the past few months which have consequently granted them a place in this year’s Champions League final.
However, they have seen their form dwindle into a more shabby phase as they lost and failed to score in both of their last two games.
Aside the FA Cup Final loss, Chelsea’s result against Arsenal coupled with a recent run of form by Liverpool have put them in a tricky situation as they fight for a top-four finish.
Coincidentally, they face bitter rivals Leicester City – a team also in a healthy top-four battle – in the 37th round of fixture and need to win in order to keep their chances in their own hands before the final match week.
LIVE ODDS AND BETTING PREVIEW
Odds are correct on Betyakata as at the time of publication.
With an eye for revenge, Chelsea are unsurprisingly placed as favourites (1.72) by the bookmakers to secure victory against Brendan Rodgers’ men.
Leicester City will definitely throw a hard fight as they did on Saturday and are 5.35 to get a win. A draw, which seems a likely result considering the potential toughness of the clash, is placed at 3.73.
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea have no major injury concerns or suspension and will have a full squad ready for the tie, however, it is an entirely different case for the visitors as Brendan Rodgers will be without Harvey Barnes, James Justin and Johnny Evans all out through injury. Cengiz Under is also set to miss out on the game through a hip injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
The game at Stamford Bridge will be the third game between both sides this season and the Blues will be looking to get their first point after suffering defeats in both games.
Leicester currently sit in third place, two points above their rivals in fourth with two games left to play and Liverpool patiently waiting for either of them to slip up.
A win will be a huge boost for both sides, but Chelsea are the team who need the three points the most as a draw will still keep Leicester’s top-four hopes in their own hands before they play Spurs on the final day even if Liverpool beat Burnley.
Chelsea have beaten Leicester just once in their last seven encounters in all competitions and will go into the game knowing they won’t have it easy.
Kante and Co will have to put up a strong performance to get away with all three points. Leicester who have missed Champions League football know a win will guarantee them a place in football’s most prestigious club tournament next season and won’t want to leave their fate until the final day. The game promises a cracker.
BETTING TIPS AND PREDICTION
Chelsea will come into the game with blood knowing they are favourites and need the win more than their rivals, however, Leicester have the quality to produce a strong resistance, a draw at 3.73 will be a worthy gamble.
Despite the lack of many goals in the FA Cup final, there is a high chance the number will be more in this game and the bookmakers placed it a 2.07 for both teams to find the back of the net.
