FA Cup, quarter-final, Sunday, 17.03.2024
On Sunday afternoon, there will be one of two clashes between a first and second division team in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The Blues will host the Foxes from the Championship. It could be an exciting duel at eye level if the home side are not at full strength.
That’s why my Chelsea Leicester betting tip also assumes a game with few goals in regular time
In the Premier League, things are going well for the Londoners, to put it mildly. Because things are not really moving forward.
Although the Blues are unbeaten in four league games (2S, 2U), they are still stuck in eleventh place in the table
In order to take the shortest route to Europe, the hosts will have to put almost everything on one card and aim for the FA Cup.
This competition has often suited the Blues. In the previous seven seasons, they reached at least the final five times. They won the title once
On paper, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have drawn a second-division team in the Foxes, which would appear to be an easy draw. But only seemingly.
It is highly likely that coach Enzo Maresca’s side will be promoted again, which is why they should not be underestimated.
And so far it has often worked out well for the Foxes, even when the conditions have been extremely difficult.
In the 3rd round, the surprise champions of 2016 won 3:2 in the cauldron of Millwall, and a few weeks ago they won in extra time at Premier League side Bournemouth.
In any case, they have won each of their four away games in the FA Cup since February 2022, conceding just two goals in the process.
A record the home side can only dream of at the moment. In their last nine competitive matches, Chelsea have only kept a clean sheet in the EFL Cup final against Liverpool.
On the other hand, things are often going like clockwork going forward. The Londoners have scored at least twice in five of their last seven games. In three of the four FA Cup games so far, they have scored over 2.5 goals each
In addition, the 2021 final is probably still in the back of both teams’ minds. Back then, the Foxes narrowly won 1:0.
Incidentally, there were no goals for either side in either of the last two FA Cup ties. I can therefore understand the skepticism of the bookies for the Chelsea Leicester betting tip for a game with goals on both sides. The odds for this are over 1.70.
I would expect a close game. While the home side naturally have a lot of quality in their ranks with Palmer & Co, the visitors can rely on their team unity.
The Maresca squad have a broad chest thanks to their many victories in the Championship. Perhaps the visitors can pull off a cup miracle after all. In any case, the Foxes will put up a tough fight.
My Chelsea Leicester betting tip is therefore: There will be under 3.5 goals
