The Preview
Leicester City will return to Wembley to take on Chelsea, a bit more difficult than Southampton in the semi’s, but we all know that this will be an open affair, and looking at recent results against this opponent, it’s pleasant reading.
Embed from Getty ImagesLast season Chelsea did win that quarter final against “us” going on to Wembley, and ending as runners-up, defeated by Arsenal. But in the league it’s been close in recent years as you can read about a bit further in the text below.
This is of course a huge opportunity for Leicester City as they are in a final for the first time since defeating Tranmere Rovers in the League Cup back in the year 2000. To win would also be “breaking the duck” as four FA Cup finals in the past has seen “us” walking up the Wembley steps picking up the losers medal.
Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel will play in their first ever final of any tournament and they are both in their thirties and of course seeing this probably as their big chance to get that “double”, not to forget Marc Albrighton who could be in the starting line-up as well among the former Premier League winners.
Possible Line-Up
Kasper Schmeichel is a certain pick in goal, some speculate in a starting position for Jonny Evans, and if he’s fit, he should be in there, if not, Castagne will be pushed into that three men defense, or playing as a fourth man, leaving the left side to Luke Thomas. With Brendan Rodgers you never really know, he is not predictable.
Embed from Getty ImagesA bit uncertainty in midfield as well, either starting James Maddison or bringing him on as a secret weapon towards the end, difficult decision to make. Tielemans and Ndidi are certainties and with them, Thomas and Albrighton are good choices, giving starting positions to Ayoze Perez, Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy to complete the eleven.
Then we have the following team
Schmeichel – Castagne, Fofana, Soyuncu – Albrighton, Ndidi, Tielemans, Perez, Thomas – Iheanacho, Vardy
Previous Games
Looking at recent games, we did see Chelsea winning that FA Cup quarter final last season with a Ross Barkley goal. In the league it’s been a bit different with the five previous games ending with three draws and two wins to Leicester City.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeicester City must have grand memories of the two last games in the FA Cup ending with defeats, both at home.
Looking back at those previous four finals, opponents were Wolverhampton Wanderers (1949), Tottenham Hotspur (1961), Manchester United (1963) and Manchester City (1969).
Leicester City were huge underdogs on three of those occasions, but in 1963 v. Manchester United it was the opposite, playing a struggling league team, close to getting relegated, ending 19th in the 22 league team table. Leicester City were battling for a “The Double”, but sadly losing the final at Wembley and ending 4th in the league.
The Opponent, Key Players
Three picks from the opponent to watch out for,
1. Mason Mount
Mason Mount is a brilliant young player and one to keep quiet if you are in some sort of mode to stop this massive “blue” train. He is still very young, 22 years of age, to date, 16 caps for England, and just one of those great young prospects coming up from a new generation of English footballers build on new and great structures of talent work.
2. N’Golo Kantè
Former Leicester City player and together with Ben Chilwell, being players of our great past of LCFC fantastic footballers. Kantè has shone at Chelsea this season being pivotal in every way. A special game for the France international, sadly not in the Leicester City line-up.
3. Timo Werner
Werner is the key for Chelsea, with his runs and lively presence, and it’s vital to keep him out of the game, very difficult handle, very unpredictable and fast as lightening. He might not have the best ratio on goals scored based on chances, but often getting into those areas that we would not like to see him at all.
Best Bet
All “pundits” and those calling themselves “experts” does see Chelsea as favorites, even if they are behind Leicester City in the PL, and also are in a more and difficult races. Would say it’s an open affair, with everything settled today even if it will go all the way to penalties.
To predict this is difficult, but we believe in fairy stories and Jamie Vardy scoring one of the goals, maybe the other one from a set piece, could we see Caglar again getting on the score sheet. Believing it will end with a great victory for Leicester City.
5th FA Cup final, 5000/1, it’s in the air, isn’t it!
2-1 (Win)
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