{"id":555449,"date":"2020-06-28T00:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-06-28T04:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=555449"},"modified":"2021-05-06T21:34:35","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T01:34:35","slug":"leicester-chelsea-fa-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/28\/leicester-chelsea-fa-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Leicester City and Chelsea: Champions League Qualification or FA Cup Progression?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leicester City<\/a> could reach the FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 1982 if they beat Chelsea<\/a>. The game is a repeat of the 2017-18 FA Cup campaign, which Chelsea won in extra time.<\/p>\n

Leicester City and Chelsea: Champions League Qualification or FA Cup Progression?<\/h2>\n

Both Teams Going Well in the League<\/h3>\n

The teams will meet at the King Power Stadium for what will likely be an evenly matched game.<\/p>\n

However, the Foxes<\/a> have not had the strongest of starts since the season resumed. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be in good spirits off the back of beating Manchester City<\/a> on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Had it not been for Leicester’s success in the first half of the season, the picture would look very different at the top of the league table. They have only won two games since New Year’s Day.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Chelsea have won both of their games since the restart. They are now just one point behind the Foxes in the league.<\/p>\n

Team news<\/h3>\n

Chelsea have an almost fully-fit squad<\/a> to choose from. Fikayo Tomori<\/a> is still working his way back full fitness after an ankle knock, and Callum Hudson-Odoi<\/a> is out with a similar problem.<\/p>\n

Marco van Ginkel<\/a> is still sidelined after a serious knee injury, but Jorginho<\/a> returned from suspension for the City game, despite being unused on the bench.<\/p>\n

Ricardo Pereira<\/a> and Daniel Amartey<\/a> won’t be available for Leicester. Pereira is out for the rest of the season after surgery in March. The full-back tore his ACL in the last game before the season was paused.<\/p>\n

Previous Meetings<\/h3>\n

The teams drew both of their league game earlier this season. It was 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in August and 2-2 in the return fixture in February.<\/p>\n

In their last FA Cup meeting in 2018, Chelsea won 2-1. The game went to extra time and Pedro Rodr\u00edguez sent the Blues through to the semi-final.<\/p>\n

What Would the Win Mean?<\/h3>\n

With both teams eyeing up a Champions League spot, they may have to decide whether they prioritise the Cup or league.<\/p>\n

Given the performances Leicester have produced since the season restart, they will need to excel in their remaining league games to stake their place.<\/p>\n

With Manchester United five points away from fourth place, there is a little room for both teams to put effort into their FA Cup performance. Both will want to lift the trophy after Liverpool secured the league victory<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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Main Photo<\/div>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>