Premier League: Tuchel and Chelsea Look for Pick-Me-Up

Chelsea vs Leicester City

As pick-me-ups go, the task facing Thomas Tuchel this week must be one of the hardest he has ever faced.

To lose one cup final on penalties is hard enough, to lose two in the same season via the same route to the same opponents must be devastating.

Yet that is the task facing the German as Chelsea return to Premier League action with Tuchel’s men needing to seal a top three finish to make sure they are competing in the Champions League next term.

The incentive is victory against Leicester City on Thursday night will achieve just that.

Talking Points

It would be wrong and unfair to say this has been an unsuccessful season for the West Londoners.

After all, they have lifted silverware in the shape of the European Super Cup and also been crowned world champions for the first time in their history.

They have also created plenty of Premier League highlights and, until Christmas, looked like they were set to mount a title charge.

Since mid-February, however, inconsistency has been their downfall as, eventually, uncertainty over the future of the club took its toll on the field.

Ironically, this game comes virtually a year to the day since last year’s corresponding fixture which proved crucial in the race for Champions League qualification. – just three days after the Fantastic Foxes lifted the FA Cup.

That was also at Chelsea’s expense.

Indeed, the West Londoners have now lost three successive finals.

The mood in the camp won’t have been helped by the emergence that centre back Andreas Christensen limited their defensive options in Saturday’s FA Cup Final by making himself unavailable for selection on the day of the game.

Christensen, who is poised to join Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the season, was a surprise absentee from the squad that lost on penalties against Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday. He was not carrying an injury and reportedly told Tuchel of his decision on Saturday morning.

One suspects that will have angered team-mates, let alone fans, who will fear his decision robbed the manager of playing the strongest available XI in the showpiece.

With that in mind, I would be surprised if the Dane gets a chance to say farewell on Thursday night or in the final contest of the season at home to West Ham.

Leicester, meanwhile, have endured something of a strange season – certainly by their recent standards.

Last year’s FA Cup success came off the back of two strong league campaigns and it looked like a young, talented, improving squad may push on again but things haven’t quite worked out like that.

They have, of course, continued to defy the odds against much bigger clubs at times and there has been progress in some areas.

For example, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has established himself, James Maddison has found form in recent weeks and Harvey Barnes is improving.

Arguably the most pressing issue for the club is replacing Jamie Vardy. In an ideal world, his role from now on would be as rotation player and impact sub. The question is whether Patson Daka is ready to step up. Though he has shown flashes of immense ability – at both Leicester and RB Salzburg – he has struggled in recent months. The onus is now on the frontman to find the consistency it’ll take to displace a club legend, who was again on target with a double in Leicester’s 5-1 win at relegated Watford last time out.

Leicester will travel to Stamford Bridge with nothing to lose and, should things not go to plan, the atmosphere amongst the home fans could be akin to a wake.

The onus is all on Chelsea.

History

Earlier in the season, Chelsea turned on the style at Leicester, recording a comprehensive 3-0 win, courtesy of goals from Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic.

Overall, Chelsea have a clear edge. They have won 59 of their clashes with 27 Leicester victories and 35 draws.

Betting Tip

Chelsea are big favourites, as you’d expect, with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds.

1X2 @ 1.38 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.13 are among the odds with Leicester out as far as 1X2 @ 8.50 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.40.

The Draw @ 4.40 will certainly be considered an attractive option to many, as will another 2-1 Chelsea success which is available @ 7.20 with Correct Score.

The hosts have to lift themselves for this encounter, something which will be a struggle.

They do have the edge though and I expect a few goals.

 

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