Leicester City vs. Chelsea and Pick to Win
Date:Sunday, March 18th, 2018
Where: FA Cup King Power Stadium, Leicester, United Kingdom
by Keith, Professional Soccer/Football Handicapper, Predictem
Match Odds: Leicester City 13/5, Draw 13/5, Chelsea 11/10
Moneyline: Leicester +260, Draw +260, Chelsea +110
Over/Under Best Market: UNDER 2.5 10/11 (-110)
The FA Cup or Football Association Cup is a domestic competition where some of the most unlikely candidates emerge on the national stage within England. The winner of the FA Cup earns the right to vie against the English Premier League Champion in the Community Cup. FA Cup winners also put themselves in position to enter European competition as well. Both teams in this contest are well familiar with such a stage. The Chelsea Blues will travel up north from London to take on the Leicester City Foxes at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, March 18th.
Chelsea limps in after they were defeated in two consecutive games, previous to grabbing a quick win in English Premier League against Crystal Palace by a score of 2-1. Previous to this, the Blues were defeated by both Manchester-based clubs when they fell in back-to-back outings against United and City being outscored 3-1. Nevertheless, the Blues have the talent to be a viable threat when they step on any pitch. The Blues feature the likes of Eden Hazard and two former Leicester City players in Ngolo Conte and Danny Drinkwater. This game will be a bit of a bitter homecoming to the two who took part in Leicesters storied title run two years ago. Now Chelsea enters still as the favorite to win this contest at Leicester outright even when they come in a low note.
Leicester City has since regressed to the Foxes team we are accustomed to seeing. A middling mid-table bunch that has the capability to threaten the heavyweights. However, many have caught on to the Foxes style of play and since made adjustments. Moreover, Leicester City has seen since of its best personnel leave town. However, the architects of the storied title run remain in the Midlands city. Nevertheless, the men from Leicestershire have remained unbeaten in their last four outings.
Despite the talent, Chelsea has had many note struggles on the road historically. The hostility of the King Power Stadium will not play into the Blues hand by any means. Chelsea has been stunned on numerous occasions when they traveled away from Stamford Bridge, and nothing encapsulates this more than their two most recent road outings into hostile confines in Manchester. In fact, Chelsea despite the talent they bolster may not be able to foster any hardware of consequence. The name of Chelsea is surrounded by the fact that they are the defending English Premier League Champions. However, it is certain that they will not repeat as Premier League champs. This is their calling.
Entering this fixture with respect to Leicester Citys quality, Chelsea is the expected winner of this contest. However, there is a right for some to hold dissenting opinions. Let us not forget that Leicester has some weapons in their chest and their names are Mahrez and Vardy. Vardy is a player that knows how to challenge the back line of any team, and if Chelseas defense looks to be amiable to the Leicester City striker, it may be a long day at the office for the Blues. Nevertheless, Leicester City will likely not be able to try to play this match to their own tune. The Foxes may keep this one close, but eventually, Chelsea will overwhelm them. The odds in itself indicate that the likelihood of a Leicester win and draw are one in the same. This means Chelsea is the obvious play. In addition, this contest will likely be a lower scoring affair, and given the fact we can take back a good price on two goals or less, we will happily dive in. Chelsea outright with the Under 2.5 is our call.
Leicester City Recent Form
W West Bromwich Albion 4-1
D Bournemouth 1-1
D Stoke City 1-1
W Sheffield United 1-0
L Manchester City 1-5
Chelsea Recent Form
W Crystal Palace 2-1
L- Manchester City 0-1
L Chelsea 1-2
D Barcelona 1-1
W Hull City 4-0
Keith’s Prediction for the Game: Chelsea +110 and UNDER 2.5 10/11 (-110)
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