Leicester City VS Chelsea Match Prediction
2018-03-18
16:30:00
Leicester City
VS
Chelsea
Our Prediction Tip
Leicester City will win this match.
2018-03-1816:30:00 Leicester City will win this match.
Chelsea have never lost to Leicester in the FA Cup, and they have only lost once against them in the league - during the Foxes' title-winning campaign - in the four seasons since Leicester returned to the top flight. The goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in January ended Chelsea's four-match winning streak in this fixture, which included their 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium - when Alvaro Morata and N'Golo Kante scored for the Blues - earlier this season. Here are the results of their last five matches:
Jan 13, 2018: Chelsea 0-0 Leicester City
Sep 09, 2017: Leicester City 1-2 Chelsea
Jan 14, 2017: Leicester City 3-0 Chelsea
Oct 15, 2016: Chelsea 3-0 Leicester City
Sep 20, 2016: Leicester City 2-4 Chelsea
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Given Chelsea's recent form, Leicester will fancy their chances of booking their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a win on Sunday.
Chelsea are favourites, and it is important to note that their recent defeats have come against Manchester City, United and Barcelona, but they have been underwhelming since the turn of the year in truth.
Leicester, on the other hand, have been in resurgent form and it was important to get back to winning ways when they thrashed West Brom last time out, after two draws in their previous two games.
The Foxes, with Jamie Vardy in goalscoring form, will look to catch Chelsea on the break and the first goal will be crucial - it eluded both teams at Stamford Bridge last time they met.
Given Leicester have scored in every game they have played since, however, Claude Puel's side are definitely capable of striking early on Sunday.
Chelsea, however, know they are set for a trophy-less season - a disappointing comedown after their title win last season, replacing Leicester as champions as it happened - if they lose on Sunday.
After their morale-sapping defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday, however, they will need to dig deep to put that result behind them. Any European hangover and they will not live up to their favourites tag.
Chelsea are 23/20 favourites with Bet365 to win on Sunday, but Leicester should not be discounted - with home advantage, and better form, they are a generous price at 5/2 with Bet365, William Hill and Betfair. A ‘draw no bet’ pick is a slightly safer option, meanwhile, and Leicester are still generously priced at 13/8 with Betfair, while you can back Chelsea at 8/15 with Ladbrokes.
Leicester have scored in each of their last ten matches, since a goalless draw with Chelsea in January, and both teams to score has been set at 8/11 with Betfair.
Jamie Vardy has six goals in his last eight games, and yet the Leicester striker is as high as 2/1 to score at any time with Betfair.
Leicester are in better form than Chelsea, and have home advantage. The first goal will be crucial, but the Foxes are certainly capable of upsetting the odds on Sunday.
£ Daniel Amartey is Leicester's only injury concern, with Claude Puel's biggest selection headache being whether to start Kelechi Iheanacho, who has forced his way back into first-team reckoning thanks to his FA Cup performances this season. Leicester fielded a full-strength team for their fifth-round win at home to Sheffield United, with Kasper Schmeichel back in goal after Eldin Jakupovic played in the two previous rounds. It is likely to be a similar line-up on Sunday.
Jamie Vardy has scored six times his last eight games, and will be hoping to sign off for international duty with a good performance. Riyad Mahrez's return has also lifted the Foxes - the Algerian has scored in each of the last two games and now has 11 goals and eight assists for the season.
Leicester are unbeaten in their last four games, sandwiching two 1-1 home draws with their 1-0 FA Cup fifth round win against Sheffield United and last weekend's 4-1 drubbing of bottom-club West Brom. They have scored in each of their last ten matches, since a goalless draw with Chelsea back in January.
Willy Caballero will start in goal for Chelsea - as he has for all domestic cup games this season - with Thibaut Courtois dropping out after his below-par performance against Barcelona. Former Leicester title winner Danny Drinkwater will be among the players pushing for a start for Chelsea, who could also bring in the likes of Alvaro Morata, Pedro and Gary Cahill to freshen things up. Ross Barkley (hamstring) and David Luiz (ankle) remain sidelined.
Eden Hazard has been Chelsea's star of the season, leading the way for goals (15) and assists (11) this season. He is closely followed by Willian, however, who has cemented his starting place with 13 goals and ten assists.
Chelsea have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, following a difficult run of fixtures which has included the two legs of their Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona and trips to Manchester United, where they lost 2-1, and Manchester City, who beat them 1-0. Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Barcelona followed their lone win in that time - a 2-1 win at home to Crystal Palace in their most recent league game.
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