LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea shakes hands with Kurt Zouma of Chelsea after the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2019 in London, UK . (Photo by Michael Regan / Getty Images)
Chelsea faces Leicester City for a place in the semifinals. Our collaborators seem to think that the Blues will have no trouble getting there.
Despite the turbulent season, Chelsea travels to Leicester with a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals at stake. The Blues and Foxes scored draws in both Premier League games this season. One point separates the two sides in the league, making this really anyone’s game. Both managers face the same dilemma: rest players and prioritize a place at UCL or go all for money?
It is almost impossible for many to name a favorite in this tie, but London Pride contributors found it relatively easy. Here are our staff’s scoring predictions for the FA Cup quarterfinal match at King Power Stadium:
Nathaniel Kay: 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea could gain a double advantage over Leicester with the victory at King Power on Sunday. Not only will it propel the Blues to the semifinal, but it will make the Foxes look even more intensely over the shoulder as the Blues climb that third place.
After the excellent victory over Manchester City midweek, you wouldn’t blame Frank Lampard for keeping the same side. However, expect a few changes just to keep the team cool with West Ham in the upcoming league game on Wednesday. Leicester has languished since the restart, so he hopes Chelsea will make the most of it, especially with the red-hot form of Christian Pulisic. There are no clean sheets as the blues always grant; unfortunately that is a fact.
Khaled Abdallah: 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea will be on top after that big win over Manchester City and will use that momentum to overwhelm a Leicester City team that has been a bit boring since the restart. Expect some changes with Frank Lampard going for some youthful vigor; starting Reece James, Tammy Abraham and reinserting Jorginho in the lineup. It will not be easy to contain Leicester’s attack, but the result will simply be the result of which team is in better shape. The blues seem to be peaking at the right time.
Siddharth Bharani-Dharan: 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea has played very well since the restart began. Meanwhile, Leicester City is having trouble. The Foxes are losing easy points and given the Blues’ performance in their last game against Manchester City, they will take advantage against Leicester. Holding Willian and Pedro until the end of the season will prove to be great. The depth in almost every position for Chelsea is what will win them, especially in cup competitions. To beat Leicester, the Blues defense must remain intact, as it was against Man City. Either way, you’re likely to see a Blues victory against the Foxes given its current form.
Oliver Smith: 2-3 Chelsea
Encouraged by a solid, if not surprising, victory over Man City, Chelsea will play the Foxes with great confidence. However, as showcased against City, the Blues defense has been found to be lacking throughout the season, so expect them to award one one-piece and one unlucky one just for the sake of it. Tammy Abraham should get the go-ahead and a goal. Expect to see Reece James tear apart the right flank to help him, while Pedro turns the clock back to get a game winner.
Michael DeVito: 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea is on a streak and the team selection should be interesting. Tammy Abraham should start and be motivated to score. Captain America is the fittest player in the Blues and should also start.
Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 0-3 Chelsea
Frank Lampard will likely deploy Billy Gilmour. Chelsea has a lot of depth. The Blues have more than enough players to rest enough at the key start for the upcoming Premier League game against West Ham. The headlines of this match will want to give Lampard’s team a headache in the middle of the week.
Barrett Rouen: 1-2 Chelsea
Not much to say here other than Chelsea winning 2-1. Tammy to mark as the prince that he is.
Varun Dani: 0-2 Chelsea
Two wins to the trot and Chelsea has returned from the break in good shape. While rotation is a necessity on this busy schedule, the FA Cup represents a plausible opportunity for Frank Lampard to earn his first silver piece as manager. While the Leicester team hasn’t been covered in glory recently, the Foxes aren’t aggressive, so expect the Blues to form a solid lineup. Chelsea put on a pragmatic master class against City and if Lampard can continue to find a way to balance the beauty and boldness of this team, the club could see a successful ending to an eventful season.
Abhishek Pancholi: 1-3 Chelsea
Easy win for a youthful Blues team, with Billy G. dominating midfield and Tammy Abraham with a brace.
Kevin Peacock: 0-3 Chelsea
Chelsea has returned from forced break looking strong. Leicester is reeling and the third-place chase in the PL is heating up. However, this FA Cup game gives Frank Lampard’s team the best chance of winning a trophy this season. After giving Liverpool the league title, Chelsea will want some cutlery of their own. The blues are out of winners.
Travis Tyler: 1-2 Chelsea
The Blues are based on a massive victory shooting early ahead against Leicester. Then Jamie Vardy does Jamie Vardy thing and brings the match level. He’ll stay that way in overtime before Christian Pulisic starts waving the flag and ends Leicester just before the penalties.
Gabe Henderson: 1-1 (Chelsea wins 4-2 in the pen)
Chelsea and Leicester City have found themselves stuck through two ties so far. The third match will be no different. It will take 120 minutes plus penalties to decide the winner of the season series. In the end, it will be the Frank Lampard Blues who carry and win two trophy wins.
Nate Hofmann: 1-2 Chelsea
Another 2-1 victory. Why not?
Who takes the field for either side will remain a mystery until the team sheets are released, but Frank Lampard has a deeper well of talent than Brendan Rodgers. Leicester hasn’t exactly left the gates since the restart, but it would be ridiculous not to treat them like the top four challengers they are. Hopefully this will be the only 2-1 type we haven’t seen yet, where Chelsea scores twice and then concedes a consolation goal right at the end. Fingers crossed we see Tammy Abraham’s name on the score sheet at least once.
Tan Yi Hao: 1-1 (Chelsea wins with the feather)
Leicester City may be a struggling team after their return to action under the project restart, but the fact is, the Foxes remain dangerous going forward and solid on the back. That said, Leicester City will probably give Chelsea’s rotated side a good streak for their money with Kepa Arrizabalaga, once again the hero reached the penalty shootout at the end of 120 minutes.
Ishan Shah: 1-3 Chelsea
This is a game that will show how deep this Chelsea team is. Waiting for changes, but I hope those players are hungry. I still don’t see the Blues keeping a clean sheet, even though Leicester hasn’t had the best restart. This game not only gives Chelsea the opportunity to take another step closer to winning the silverware this season, but also the opportunity to put Leicester under increased pressure as the Blues seek to outpace the Foxes in third place.
Scott Brant: 1-2 Chelsea
Punctuation line 1-2 is not secure. But the blues are rolling and manage to advance to the next round by scoring one too late. Abraham to mark a beauty.
What score do you predict? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!
