BET BUILDER
Chelsea to Win
Nicolas Jackson to Score 2 or more Goals
Both Teams to Score
A Goal Scored in Both Halves
Chelsea -1
Chelsea v Leicester
FA Cup match at Stamford Bridge, London
TV: BBC1 & IPLAYER, 12:45pm
Chelsea to Win
For all that Leicester deserve great credit for reaching this far in the competition as a Championship club, the reality is they’ve heavily rotated their team in every round and have arguably enjoyed a kind passage to this point. The only top flight opponent they have faced was Bournemouth in the last round, who didn’t include 16-goal top scorer Dominic Solanke on that occasion.
Plus, the fact of the matter is the FA Cup really is Chelsea’s season now. Leicester have bigger fish to fry in terms of looking to regain their place in the Premier League. The hosts are coming into their own of late and are unbeaten in their last nine over 90 minutes, including against the likes of Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Nicolas Jackson to Score 2 or more Goals
The Senegal international is currently on his best run of form in a Chelsea shirt after scoring in consecutive appearances (three). Strikes against Newcastle, Brentford and Leicester’s Championship rivals Leeds showcases Jackson’s red-hot form and he is clearly full of confidence after a slow start since signing from Villarreal.
He, along with Cole Palmer, are very much the go-to guys for Mauricio Pochettino right now and there is no chance he is going to be rested, especially with Christopher Nkunku still injured. Leicester have shipped 2+ goals in four of their last six games, and with Jackson having all bar one of his shots on target across the past three matches, there’s every chance he can bag a brace.
Both Teams to Score
Leeds gave Chelsea an almighty scare in the previous round of the FA Cup and Leicester are likely to give their Premier League opponents plenty to think about as well. Whilst Enzo Maresca is expected to rotate, a talented line-up will still be named, at least from an offensive perspective. They’ve netted in all bar three Championship clashes so far this season.
A strong case can be made for Chelsea to score, but there is as much of a point for them not to keep a clean sheet.. They’ve conceded at least twice for three games running, despite being unbeaten in that period. It’s only four clean sheets in 2024 for Chelsea and just one in their previous nine.
A Goal Scored in Both Halves
A strong case can be made for goals to flow in any Chelsea game at present. Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score have been regularly winning bets in their matches for a while and it’d be a surprise if 45 minutes passed by in each half without either goalkeeper being beaten.
This should be an open game as Leicester certainly aren’t ones to park the bus. Both teams have their vulnerabilities at the moment and the two coaches will play to their attacking strengths to try and reach the semi-final stage. This certainly won’t be a 0-0!
Chelsea -1
Roughly 55% of Chelsea’s victories in all competitions this season have been by at least a two-goal margin. Things are certainly starting to click for them in attack and given the huge importance of this fixture they certainly won’t be looking to coast through.
The hope is the match becomes stretched in the latter stages for Chelsea to further extend their lead. Pochettino’s men have scored beyond the 75th minute in three straight games, showing they clearly have a good habit for a late goal.
BET BUILDER
Chelsea to Win
Nicolas Jackson to Score 2 or more Goals
Both Teams to Score
A Goal Scored in Both Halves
Chelsea -1
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