* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
This feels like an extremely significant week in the coaching career of Brendan Rodgers. If Leicester can edge by Chelsea in the cup final and hold onto their top-four position in the Premier League, then it would give Rodgers the piece of major silverware that his coaching CV is still lacking and put him in pole position should any vacancy arise at England’s biggest clubs.
Even if Leicester were only to achieve one of the above then Rodgers could rightly claim to have had a terrific season. Losing out on both would feel like a crushing disappointment after so much promise, and made worse after being pipped by Manchester United for the top four on the final day of last season having lead them for most of the season. Rodgers will be praying Jonny Evans can be passed fit for Wembley.
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Much like Harry Maguire missing out for Manchester United against Liverpool, sometimes you only realise how valuable a centre-back is when they don’t play. When Evans pulled out of the warm-up against Newcastle, Rodgers tried to play full-back Timothy Castagne as a makeshift centre-half in Leicester’s back three.
Despite having two other very highly rated centre backs in Caglar Soyuncu and Wesley Fofana playing alongside Castagne, Leicester’s defence was ripped apart on the counter-attack by Newcastle and saw Steve Bruce’s team lead 4-0 after 73 minutes. He won’t want a repeat of that on Leicester’s big day.
Saturday 5.15pm: Chelsea v Leicester
BBC One, BT Sport 1, BBC iPlayer and BT Sport Ultimate
Chelsea to Win
With doubts surrounding Evans’ fitness, I’m leaning even more towards Chelsea to Win inside the 90 minutes. N’Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger, Edouard Mendy and Timo Werner should all return to Chelsea’s starting line-up and I would expect a far better performance than in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. If Chelsea play with the same intensity that we have seen throughout Thomas Tuchel’s tenure, they should have too much for Leicester.
Under 3.5 Goals
Under 3.5 Goals is a short-priced selection, but Chelsea’s defensive record is so strong under Thomas Tuchel that its hard to see this being a high scoring game.
N’Golo Kante to be carded
No Chelsea player has more cards this season than Kante and I would expect him to be forced into a few risky challenges to curb the threat of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho on the counterattack. Don’t be surprised to see N’Golo Kante get Booked.
Mason Mount to Have One or More Shot on Target
Mason Mount had three shots on target in midweek against Arsenal and at the price on offer looks fair on Mount to have one shot or more on target.
Chelsea v Leicester Tips
Chelsea to Win
Under 3.5 Goals
N’Golo Kante to be Booked
Mason Mount to Have One or More Shots on Target
These selections in an acca-insured Bet Builder will give you odds of around 17/1 with Paddy Power.
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* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE
- Our 3 best bets for Brighton v West Ham on Saturday
- Thommo’s 7/1 shout and best bets for Chelsea v Leicester FA Cup final
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