Chelsea v Leicester: Expect another low scoring match between cup finalists

Chelsea v Leicester: Expect another low scoring match between cup finalists

There was only one goal scored when Chelsea met Leicester in the FA Cup final on Saturday and Dan Fitch is banking on their Premier League encounter being another tight game...

Pressure rises on Chelsea as they fail first test

Chelsea have not had to wait long for a chance to gain some revenge on Leicester, as the two teams meet just three days after the FA Cup final.

Thomas Tuchel's side had reason to be upset at the nature of their 1-0 loss at Wembley on Saturday. Chelsea claimed that there was a handball by Leicester in the build up to the decisive goal by Youri Tielemans and then saw a last-gasp equaliser ruled out by VAR.

It was the second successive 1-0 defeat that Chelsea have suffered, having been defeated at home by Arsenal in midweek. Having done so well to rescue their season after Tuchel was appointed, Chelsea's FA Cup final loss puts pressure on them to achieve their remaining goals. They need to secure their place in the top four and will face Manchester City in the final of the Champions League at the end of the month.

While there is a lot of pressure on Tuchel to deliver, he's lucky enough to have a full squad to choose from, with no players injured or suspended.

Leicester success is no miracle

Leicester have already defied the odds against Chelsea once this week and will now look to do so again at Stamford Bridge.

The FA Cup victory should act as proof that Leicester's 2016 Premier League title win wasn't the unrepeatable fluke that it was portrayed to be at the time. Leicester have built a sustainable model based on astute transfer business, a successful academy and clever managerial appointments.

Even though Leicester have landed silverware, their season would end in disappointment if they were to not secure qualification for the Champions League. They have occupied a top four spot for most of the season and the memory of losing out on Champions League qualification last season, remains fresh in the mind.

It will be a huge achievement for Leicester and Brendan Rodgers if they can add a top four finish to their FA Cup victory. Jonny Evans was taken off in the final and is a doubt for this match. He could join James Justin and Harvey Barnes on the sidelines.

Leicester big to avoid defeat

Chelsea are the 1.75 favourites, with the draw at 3.95 and Leicester at 5.5.

If the FA Cup final had not taken place, then these set of odds would seem about right. Yet with Leicester having already dealt a big blow to Chelsea this week, it ramps up the pressure on the hosts.

There could be value in backing Leicester to avoid defeat. They are 2.28 in the Double Chance market, while the draw also holds appeal at 3.95.

Great value in under 2.5 goals market

If the match result markets are likely to be something of a lottery, then the goals markets would appear to be more reliable. Under Tuchel, Chelsea's games rarely produce many goals. The FA Cup final was the 23rd game from 27 under the German, that has seen less than three goals. Under 2.5 goals therefore looks great value at 1.8.

Some 13 of those 27 games saw a maximum of one goal and under 1.5 goals is a bet worth considering at 3.4.