Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images. Pictured: N’Golo Kante.
Chelsea vs. Leicester City Odds
| Chelsea Odds | -112 |
| Leicester City Odds | +310 |
| Draw | +255 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (+123 / -150) |
| Day | Time | Saturday | 12:15 p.m. ET |
| How To Watch | ESPN+ |
| Odds as of Friday afternoon via DraftKings | |
Chelsea look to avenge last year’s FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal against Leicester City on Saturday at Wembley.
Both teams enter with a similar mindset and style, staying solid defensively and looking to do most of their damage on the counter attack. Both managers are among the best in Europe and will make sure their teams are organized and wary of the potent attacking threats this game will present.
Let’s dig in to find out who will be lifting the cup this year.
Chelsea Enters Final After Puzzling Result
Chelsea delivered two of the best results of their season by comprehensively beating Real Madrid in the Champions League then winning away against Manchester City, who they’ll face on May 29 in the Champions League Final.
They then followed that up with a 1-0 loss to … Arsenal?
The Blues were done in by an error by Jorginho that nearly resulted in one of the worst own goals in Premier League history. They spent the final hour of the game looking for an equalizer. While they won the expected goals battle 1.79-0.54, it never came.
Playing from behind is not something Chelsea have done often under Thomas Tuchel. The Blues’ defense has been exceptional under the German, although the Arsenal loss was the second straight game that they have conceded the opener.
Maintaining a strong defensive shape is something Leicester City also does quite well, so going behind won’t be ideal for the Blues. The priority will be maintaining a solid defense, obviously, but getting the first goal would be huge.
Chelsea get a big boost in the form of the returning N’Golo Kante, who missed the Arsenal defeat through injury but is expected to be in the starting XI next to Jorginho for the final.
Leicester Riding Red-Hot Iheanacho In Attack
Expect Leicester to match Chelsea’s setup of three center backs, as the Foxes have done for most of the season. Johnny Evans’ status is up in the air, although Brendan Rodgers seemed optimistic that the veteran defender would be fit to start.
Leicester will need him. A back three of Evans, Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu is very strong. That also frees Timothy Castagne up to play a more comfortable wingback role.
The Foxes are very capable in midfield with Youri Tielemans and Wilfried Ndidi. James Maddison is likely to link that duo to Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy up top.
Chelsea will have to be very careful in dealing with Iheanacho and Vardy. The Nigerian has been sensational for Leicester this season, especially in the FA Cup. Iheanacho had two goals and an assist in the quarterfinals against Manchester United, and he scored the goal in the 1-0 semifinal win over Southampton. He had registered at least one goal or assist in six straight games before that run ended in Leicester’s 2-1 win over Manchester United on Tuesday.
The concern for Leicester came in the form of a 4-2 loss at home to Newcastle last Friday. The Toon Army were good for all three points, winning the xG battle and getting out to a 4-0 lead at one point. Given Leicester’s recent track record, though, I’m willing to give the Foxes the benefit of the doubt.
Betting Analysis & Pick
Leicester’s bounce-back performance against United was definitely encouraging, but Chelsea has been one of the best teams in Europe since Tuchel took charge. Getting them this close to even money is the pick.
My colleague BJ Cunningham’s projected odds have Chelsea as -118 favorites and Leicester listed at +373. While I am high on Leicester’s current form and attacking prowess, oddsmakers haven’t made the number big enough to warrant my bet.
The value is on the Blues to flourish in their first cup final of the month.
Pick: Chelsea -112
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