Chelsea need just one point to secure third place, as they host Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Thursday
Chelsea need just one point to secure third place, as they host Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Thursday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side lost the FA Cup at the hands of Liverpool last time out, while Brendan Rodgers’ team thumped Watford.
Chelsea
The loss at Wembley was Chelsea’s third successive FA Cup final defeat, following the 2020 final won by Arsenal and Leicester taking the cup last year, lightning struck three times.
With the final unable to be decided in 120 minutes, it came down to penalties, where Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount – who has lost his last six finals at Wembley – handed Liverpool their first FA Cup win in 16 years.
The Blues need just one point in their last two fixtures against Leicester and the already relegated Watford to secure third place, which will mark the end of a testing season both on and off the pitch from Tuchel.
Leicester
Jamie Vardy rolled back the years as he produced a sublime performance to help put five past a helpless Watford side.
Despite Roy Hodgson’s side initially going ahead after a Joao Pedro goal early on, the Foxes went on to cruise past their opponents with a brace from Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes plus a goal from James Maddison to secure all three points.
Although it’s now not a possibility to be in the European competitions next season, Leicester can finish in eighth at best this season.
Team news
Both Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are both out and set to return for pre-season, while Timo Werner was not able to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup final.
Andreas Christensen looks to have played his last game for Chelsea after pulling out of the final, while Mateo Kovacic is out with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile for Leicester, Youri Tielemans looks to have played his last game for the club after picking up a knee injury.
Nampalys Mendy and Ricardo Pereira are doubts for the match, while Wilfred Ndidi, Hamza Choudhury and Ryan Bertrand remain out until next season.
Chelsea vs Leicester City – kick off at 8pm (UK time) on Thursday 19th May 2022
