The Big Match: Chelsea v Leicester stats, team news, prediction & TV channel

FA Cup final: Chelsea v Leicester

Where to watch

BBC One & BT Sport 1, 5.15pm Saturday

Odds to win in 90 minutes

20-21 Chelsea, 3-1 Leicester, 14-5 draw

Form

Chelsea missed the chance to go above Leicester into third place in the Premier League on Wednesday, losing 1-0 at home to Arsenal despite dominating possession after conceding a sloppy early goal.

That was only their third defeat in all competitions since Thomas Tuchel arrived in January and they have shown their big-game expertise, knocking Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid out of the Champions League and beating league champions Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final.

Leicester, who have lost to Chelsea in the the FA Cup in two of the last three seasons, beat a second-string Manchester United side 2-1 on Tuesday at Old Trafford.

That was a much-needed victory in the Foxes' pursuit of a top-four spot as they had lost three of their previous six league matches, including last week's 4-2 home defeat to Newcastle in which they trailed 4-0.

Team news

Chelsea
Tuchel made seven changes for the clash with Arsenal but N'Golo Kante, Timo Werner and Marcos Alonso are pushing for recalls at Wembley. Kepa will start in goal but Mateo Kovacic and Andreas Christensen are doubts.

Leicester
James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira should return to the starting 11 after being rested at Old Trafford. Jonny Evans (heel) is a doubt and James Justin, Wes Morgan and Harvey Barnes are sidelined.

The tactical battle

After conceding four goals to Newcastle, Brendan Rodgers switched from three at the back to 4-4-2 at Manchester United but he may return to 3-4-1-2 to accommodate James Maddison behind Jamie Vardy and the in-form Kelechi Iheanacho.

Kante, a title winner with the Foxes, has been in imperious form in Chelsea's midfield and will be charged with negating Maddison's threat. Tuchel may continue with Werner and Kai Havertz up top in a 3-5-2 formation which allows Mason Mount to drop deep or push on as a third forward.

Verdict

Leicester have suffered only three defeats in 25 games away from the King Power Stadium this season, have a solid recent record against Chelsea and have beaten Stoke, Brentford, Brighton, Manchester United and Southampton on a tough cup run.

However, their defence is far from convincing and the Londoners can grind their way to a first trophy of the Tuchel era.

Chelsea 1 Leicester 0

Key stats

• Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho has scored 13 goals in his last 12 appearances
• The Foxes have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Chelsea in 90 minutes
• Chelsea have played 26 matches under Thomas Tuchel and 22 of them ended with under 2.5 goals
• The Blues have conceded only one goal in five FA Cup games this season

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