Chelsea v Leicester predictions: Cup finalists could produce a more open contest

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Chelsea v Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 8.15pm Tuesday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
3pts 11-10 Betfred

Team news

Chelsea
Mateo Kovacic could return but Andreas Christensen is a doubt after missing the FA Cup final.

Leicester
Jonny Evans joins James Justin and Harvey Barnes on the sidelines. James Maddison is pushing for a start after his substitute appearance at Wembley, but Cengiz Under must be assessed.

Match preview

Leicester's Premier League triumph in 2015-16 sparked joyous scenes in Jamie Vardy's kitchen but they have not had much time to celebrate Saturday's FA Cup victory over Chelsea.

Just three days after Youri Tielemans' glorious strike hit the net at Wembley, the Foxes travel to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League fixture against Thomas Tuchel's Blues.

And Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers will know that any cup final hangover could prove very costly, both in footballing and financial terms, as his side bid to seal a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

Last season, they were overhauled late on by Manchester United and Chelsea, slipping to fifth place after losing three of their last four league games.

And, while the Foxes are third in the table with just two games to go when they kick off at Stamford Bridge they are still far from guaranteed a top-four spot.

Alisson's extraordinary winner for Liverpool at West Brom keeps the pressure on both Chelsea and Leicester, who are no certainties to beat Tottenham at home in Sunday's final round of Premier League fixtures.

It is rare for teams to face each other in such a significant cup and league double-header and the unusual circumstances mean punters should consider the audacious strategy of backing over 2.5 goals in a match featuring Tuchel's Chelsea.

The Blues' 1-0 defeat in the cup final was the 23rd of their 27 matches under the German to produce two goals or fewer but unders backers had some nervy moments.

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel produced a couple of inspired saves to deny former Foxes full-back Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount and Chelsea thought they had bundled in a late equaliser before a VAR review ruled Chilwell fractionally offside.

The Foxes worked hard to preserve their clean sheet despite the setback of losing key centre-back Jonny Evans to injury a little over half an hour into the game.

Evans had been a doubt for the final due to a heel problem and it would be no surprise if Leicester's defensive standards slipped in his absence at Stamford Bridge.

Since January's 2-0 home win over Frank Lampard's Chelsea they have kept only four clean sheets in 17 league matches and those shutouts came against the three relegated clubs and shot-shy Wolves.

Ten of their last 13 games produced over 2.5 goals and the exceptions were 1-1 draws with Burnley and Southampton and a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in which Rodgers admitted his side was "disorganised".

Leicester's 4-2 home defeat to Newcastle on May 7, in which the Magpies led 4-0, should encourage Chelsea although the visitors have an excellent away record, winning 11 of their 18 games on the road.

Chelsea cannot afford to settle for a point so they must take a positive approach as they bid to bounce back from their cup final defeat and secure a top-four finish before turning their attention to the Champions League showdown with Manchester City.

Key stat

Ten of Leicester's last 13 Premier League matches have featured over 2.5 goals.

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