Leicester City and Chelsea match up in the Emirates FA Cup final on Saturday evening, with both Thomas Tuchel’s side and Brendan Rodgers’ looking to go all the way in the competition. 

Tuchel’s blue’s have been in fine form recently despite their most recent encounter as they were 0-1 losers versus Arsenal. Leicester come into the final after beating Manchester United in a pivotal affair for a spot in the top four. 

The managers will have to make tough calls ahead of the final for the starting line-up. Vavel takes a look at how both sides could line up at Wembley Stadium

 

Tuchel’s side lost to Arsenal last time out, so will be hoping things can change this weekend as the manager looks to win silverware for the first time with the London based club. 

In goal is sure to Kepa Arrizabalaga after Tuchel confirmed that he would start over summer signing Edouard Mendy. Sitting in front of the Spaniard is expected to be a back three with wing-backs on either side. In the defensive trio is likley to be Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma. Accompanying the back three could be Reece James on the right side and former Leicester academy graduate, Ben Chilwell on the left. 

In the midfield is likely to be former Leicester title winner, Ngolo Kante alongside Jorginho. The pair will be doing the job of dusting up at the back and denying the Leicester attacks. 

In a more attacking role could consist of the pair of Mason Mount and semi-final goalscorer, Hakim Ziyech. Playing as the lone striker could be either Kai Havertz or Timo Werner. Werner could be given a chance in the role as he looks to find goal scoring form. 

Chelsea Predicted XI: Kepa; James, Azpilicueta, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell; Kante, Jorginho; Mount, Ziyech; Werner. 

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The Foxes have the record for the most losses in the FA Cup final, so Leicester will be in the hunt to receive their long overdue FA Cup trophy. 

In goal will be the trustworthy and reliable, Kasper Schmeichel. Rodgers will be tempted to stick with his formation of a back five including Ricardo Pereira, Wesley Fofana, Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu and Timothy Castagne. Evans could be restored into the line-up, after training with the team.

Ahead of the Leicester backline could contain the central pairing of Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi. The pair played outstandingly in Leicester’s win at Old Trafford recently. In the playmaker role could introduce James Maddison back into the side after starting on the bench versus Man United. 

In the goal scoring roles are expected to be the dangerous duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy. The pair will look to cause issues for Chelsea on Saturday evening, as they look to get in behind the backline. 

Leicester City Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Soyuncu, Castagne; Tielemans, Ndidi; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy. 

 

It will be an intriguing tie to see how this one plays out. Of course form and league positions go out the window when it’s a one off affair to win silverware meaning anything could happen in this game. 

Rodgers will be hungry to go all the way with Leicester and stating in an interview ‘I’d love to win it for Khun Vichai and his family’

0-1 Leicester. 

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