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March 15, 2024
Chelsea Aim for Wembley Return After EFL Cup Final Defeat
Following their disappointment in the EFL Cup final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Liverpool, Chelsea are determined to swiftly return to Wembley Stadium. The Blues are motivated to put that defeat behind them and refocus their efforts on the FA Cup, one of the few trophies still within their grasp this season. Hosting Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have a golden opportunity to continue their quest for silverware. Leicester, now competing in the Championship after being relegated from the Premier League last season, will face a tough challenge as they are a team hungry for redemption and eager to return to top-flight football.
Chelsea’s path to the quarter-finals has been challenging. Their journey saw them overcome fierce opposition in the 5th Round, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Leeds United. The match was a tightly contested affair, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side displaying resilience and determination to edge past their opponents. With Wembley in sight, Chelsea will be looking to maintain its momentum to keep its FA Cup dreams alive.
Kick-Off Details
Date: Sunday, 17 March 2024
Time: 12:45 PM UK (6:15 PM IST)
Location: Stamford Bridge
Form
Chelsea (all competitions): W-D-W-L-D
Leicester City (all competitions): D-W-L-W-L
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea): Often overshadowed by Chelsea’s other talents, Caicedo has been a consistent performer since his move from Brighton. The Ecuadorian midfielder has participated in four FA Cup, seven EFL Cup, and twenty-four Premier League matches.
Leicester City’s Yunus Akgün, who was on loan from Galatasaray, played a crucial role in the team’s victory in the fifth round. The Turkish winger has made 3 FA Cup appearances, scoring once, and remains a critical threat.
Both Chelsea and Leicester won their 5th-round games by one-goal margins. Chelsea beat Leeds 3-2, while Leicester edged Bournemouth 1-0. Leicester led the Championship by 3 points over second-place Leeds. At the same time, Chelsea sat 11th in the Premier League, having won their last match 3-2 against Newcastle.
Leicester City’s Promotion Push: Leicester, relegated last season, is performing well in the Championship and is determined to return to the Premier League. Under Enzo Maresca, they defeated Bournemouth 1-0 to secure their FA Cup quarter-final spot.
Chelsea needs key players like Christopher Nkunku, Benoit Badiashile, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Wesley Fofana. Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill were both absent from the previous game. Still, Marc Cucurella is back, and Carney Chukwuemeka may start after a substitute appearance. Leicester are missing only two players: Dennis Praet and Ricardo Pereira, both sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Total Matches: 124
Chelsea Wins: 61
Leicester Wins: 28
Draws: 35
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Madueke, Sterling, Mudryk, Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Gilchrist, Caicedo, Fernández, Sánchez (GK); Jackson
Leicester City (4-3-3): Winks, Raikhy, Akgün; Albrighton, Cannon, Marçal; Choudhury, Coady, Vestergaard, Doyle; Stolarczyk (GK).
Chelsea head into this FA Cup quarter-final in solid form, having lost just once in their last seven matches across all competitions. That single defeat came in the EFL Cup final against Liverpool, a narrow 1-0 loss. Despite this setback, Chelsea has shown consistency under Mauricio Pochettino, particularly in the domestic cups. They will be eager to capitalize on their home advantage at Stamford Bridge. The Blues’ attacking options, combined with their strengthened defense, give them an edge, especially against a lower-tier side like Leicester.
On the other hand, Leicester City, the current leaders of the Championship, are no pushovers. Enzo Maresca’s men have been one of the most consistent sides in the second division this season, and they will undoubtedly pose a challenge. Leicester’s strong form in the Championship shows they have the quality to compete at a high level, even against Premier League opponents. Their impressive 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in the 5th Round of the FA Cup is proof of their capability to grind out results when needed.
However, despite Leicester’s impressive run, Chelsea’s squad depth and superior Premier League experience will likely tip the balance in the Blues’ favor. While Leicester will put up an intense fight, especially with players like Yunus Akgün and Hamza Choudhury leading the charge, Chelsea’s firepower in attack and their recent strong performances should see them come out on top.
Expect an entertaining contest, but Chelsea are predicted to progress to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory.
India: Sony Sports
UK: BBC, ITV
US: ESPN
Nigeria: SuperSport
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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