Leicester City comes up against Chelsea on Tuesday next week in a premier league match that may prove decisive to their top-four finish. While the dead-behind-the-eyes pragmatists might argue that Tuesday’s encounter is the most important match, it would also be hard to ignore the euphoria that comes with winning the FA Trophy in front of their fans.
The Fairy Tale that has been Leicester’s
There is something exciting about football. And it is not just about winning a game. By insisting the Tuesday’s game is the most important for Leicester, the proponents of such debate will be missing the fundamental point about football.
And the fundamental football is:
The most exciting and exhilarating football moments come down to a team, like Leicester, winning a magical old competition like the FA. If such a momentous occasion doesn’t excite anyone, then we might as well just pack up and leave the stands.
This will be Leicester’s first-ever cup final, and a win might just reassert the sense that they are here to compete for top honor with the big boys. They won the premier league five years ago, a fairy tale that has continued to make them believe they can go all the way and remain a dominant force in English Football.
Leicester have consistently finished in the top 6 since their Claudio Ranieri-inspired triumph in 2016. They continue to make a mockery of the notion that a big six exists in anything bar inflated egos.
They come up against a rejuvenated Chelsea on Saturday and need special character buoyed by solid performance to lift their first-ever FA Cup.
Kante’s been absent, but his return could just lift Chelsea past Leicester
A midweek defeat to Arsenal might have been a wake-up call to Thomas Tuchel’s side. However, looking at the kind of performance put up by Arsenal, there might just have been little to carry on to the next game. That was an Arsenal side that rode on luck for the better part of the game and will be thankful for the easy goal gifted to them by Jorginho.
Many things didn’t go right on that night. However, there could never be a more glaring and conspicuous error than the omission of Ngolo Kante. It might have been a way to give him enough rest in anticipation for tomorrow’s game.
The diminutive midfielder will certainly return on Saturday to face his former side in a cup final vital for both sides. He’s had a terrific form of late, and Tuchel will be banking on his speed and cunning creativity to unlock a rather stubborn Leicester City defense.
The Game Stats
Chelsea has a better head-to-head record against Leicester City. Out of the 29 meetings between the two, the Blues have emerged winners on 14 occasions, with nine draws. However, the recent performance doesn’t favor Chelsea, and they will have to be wary of a Leicester side that has squeezed in a massive 63 goals this season.
So, who wins?
Comparison based on the 2020/2021 season shows that Chelsea has been more disciplined defensively, keeping an impressive 18 clean sheets so far. Leicester, however, has been ruthless upfront, scoring at will.
It will be a generous forward line coming up against a mean defense. Whoever blinks first, we wait to see!
