FA Cup final betting tips: Leicester out to defy the odds again
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Preview and odds for Chelsea v Leicester
Chelsea could end the season as champions of Europe but can secure a first piece of silverware under Thomas Tuchel on Saturday when they face Leicester in the FA Cup final.
The Londoners are looking to win the competition for the ninth time and this is their fourth appearance in the Wembley showpiece in the last five years.
In contrast, Leicester have never won the FA Cup and the last of their four appearances in the final was back in 1969 but they are no strangers to upsetting the odds in recent years.
Saturday’s final is live on the BBC and BT Sport and kicks off at 5.15pm as we highlight a few potential FA Cup final betting tips.
FA Cup final match odds
Leicester are two points above Chelsea in the Premier League but are very much the underdogs heading into the FA Cup final, with the Foxes 7/4 to lift the trophy and 10/3 to win in 90 minutes.
Eight of their 10 league defeats this season have been at the King Power Stadium so they may be happy to be on neutral ground here.
They began their FA Cup run by twice beating Championship opposition before home wins against Brighton and Manchester United and then a 1-0 semi-final victory over Southampton.
Chelsea are 20/23 to win in normal time and had a much tougher semi-final but Hakim Ziyech’s second-half strike proved enough to beat Manchester City 1-0, meaning they have only conceded one goal on the road to the final.
Clean sheets have been a major part of their improvement under Tuchel and Chelsea are 2/1 to win to nil while under 2.5 total goals can be backed at 11/10.
The match is 23/10 to be drawn after 90 minutes, with Chelsea 9/1 to win in extra time and Leicester available at 14/1.
Chelsea v Leicester head-to-head
Leicester’s confidence heading into the final should be helped by a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in January’s league meeting, although that was before the Blues sacked Frank Lampard and brought in Tuchel.
Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison struck in the first half to secure a win which took Brendan Rodgers’ men back to the top of the table at that point.
The previous three league meetings had all been drawn and that win was the first time either team had prevailed by more than one goal since a 3-0 victory for Chelsea in January 2017.
The teams also met in the FA Cup last season when Ross Barkley scored the only goal for Chelsea just after the hour mark in the quarter-final.
Previous XI
Leicester: Schmeichel, Fofana, Soyuncu, Castagne, Thomas, Tielemans, Albrighton, Ndidi, Vardy, Iheanacho, Perez.
Team news
Chelsea boast a fully-fit squad, with Mateo Kovacic having shaken off a hamstring injury and N’Golo Kante back after Achilles tendon pain. Andreas Christensen is available after a leg tendon issue.
Jonny Evans faces a race to be fit for Leicester. The defender has been nursing a heel problem which has forced him to miss the last two games and he will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness. James Justin and Harvey Barnes (both knee) are sidelined, while Cengiz Under has been nursing a hip problem and Wes Morgan is out with a back issue.
Key battles
Chelsea may be the favourites but Leicester have the two biggest goal threats, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy both in double figures in terms of goals in the Premier League this season. No Chelsea player has more than six.
The front two will be a handful for a Chelsea defence which is likely to contain former Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell while the Foxes know all about Kante, who was such an important part of their 2016 title success.
The Frenchman has been in inspired form for Chelsea recently, most notably in their Champions League semi-final success against Real Madrid, and his work rate in midfield will be vital in stopping the service to Leicester’s front two.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
