English FA CUP
2024-03-17 - Chelsea vs Leicester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English FA Cup Quarter Final
Sunday 17th March 2024 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino had to be fearing the worst when his Chelsea team conceded out of the blue, pardon the pun, to suddenly only lead Newcastle United 3-2 at Stamford Bridge with minutes remaining on Monday evening. They were able to hang on for the three points and Chelsea will now have a bit of momentum to carry into this FA Cup Quarter Final as Pochettino hopes to end his personal wait for an English trophy.
The win on Monday has given Chelsea hope of at least returning to European Football with a strong finish in the Premier League, but winning the FA Cup feels important after coming up short in the League Cup. They have beaten Preston North End, Aston Villa and Leeds United in the FA Cup this season and two of those wins have been at Stamford Bridge where they host the Quarter Final.
Chelsea have not lost any of their last 7 games in all competitions in normal time, although it will not feel that way with the League Cup Final defeat in Extra Time very much on the mind of the fans. A disappointing 2-4 home loss to Wolves has been followed by consecutive 3-2 wins over Leeds United and Newcastle United.
Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwell are hoping to be available for this Cup Quarter Final, but a host of other players will be using the March international break to try and get back into first team training.
Leicester City
There was always going to be a moment in the long Championship slog where Leicester City were going to hit a slump in form and that is where they stand right now. After looking like they would coast towards promotion back into the Premier League, recent results have suddenly pulled Leicester City back towards the chasing pack and the last two months of the season are going to be filled with tension.
The fans will be keeping an eye on Championship results this weekend, but the players will be attempting to reach the FA Cup Semi Final by upsetting Premier League Chelsea in the Quarter Final. The Foxes were able to earn the upset in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea in 2021, while Leicester City have gotten the better of Millwall, Birmingham City and Bournemouth in their Cup run in 2024.
Leicester City needed Extra Time to beat Bournemouth in the Fifth Round and that means they have won 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions in normal time. They lost 3 consecutive Championship fixtures to give Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leeds United opportunities in the automatic promotion race. Leicester City have maintained strong away form with a single loss in 6 games on their travels.
Head to Head
Chelsea did the Premier League double over Leicester City last season.
They are unbeaten in 4 at Stamford Bridge against Leicester City, but half of those matches have ended in draws.
Prediction
At this stage of the FA Cup, this is a competition that will mean a lot to players, managers and fans and so strong teams have to be expected to be selected for this Quarter Final.
There might be more on the line for Chelsea who will be desperate to make up for the League Cup Final disappointment. Mauricio Pochettino will be well aware that winning the FA Cup would be a big personal achievement, but may also show the Chelsea fans that the work being done will push the team forward on the right track after another inconsistent Premier League campaign.
Chelsea have managed to beat Preston North End and Leeds United at home in the FA Cup, while they were also comfortable home winners against Championship clubs Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough in the League Cup.
Of course less than twelve months ago Leicester City were a Premier League club and they certainly looked on course to return to the top flight before a slump in form over the last month.
The Championship is the priority for the club and earning a return to the Premier League means more than winning the FA Cup for a second time in four years. However, Leicester City are entering the March international break and the chance to reach the Semi Final and earn a return to Wembley may just give the squad a boost in confidence that can help propel a strong end to the season.
Leicester City have a threat away from home with their counter attacking abilities and the Premier League experience will certainly mean they are not overawed here.
However, Chelsea have just found some positive form at Stamford Bridge and they will create chances.
Defensively mistakes continue to just hold Chelsea back, but they have managed to get the better of opponents from the Championship this season. Four of those have been beaten in Cup competitions, including Leeds United who look to be one of the main rivals to Leicester City when it comes to promotion, and Chelsea might just have enough to get the better of The Foxes here.
Leicester City can play their part, as Leeds United did, but Chelsea are likely to come out on top in another high-scoring home Cup tie.
The Pick :
Chelsea 3-1 Leicester City
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Chelsea to Win & Over 2 Total Goals (Bet Builder) at 1.86 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)
