Chelsea predictions at Leicester: Nothing on the line except some top banter

Chelsea face a legend when they square up against the always-charismatic Brendan Rodgers at King Power stadium. How will the Blues manage the pressure of a game with nothing on the line for either team?

Many people talk about the Roman Abramovich era, dividing the club’s history into periods before and after the Russian took over Chelsea. History – with a capital H, and not just because it’s at the beginning of the sentence – will ultimately recognize that the demarcation of “pre” and “post” was Brendan Rodgers’ time at Stamford Bridge. Verily, the Premier League as a whole will wonder if there ever truly was football before him.

Kevin Peacock: Leicester City 1 – 2 Chelsea. Let’s face it – this game doesn’t matter really. Third place in the Premier League no longer gives any advantage over fourth place in terms of Champions League status.

Miraculously, the hard work of actually getting that qualification is done. Maurizio Sarri could play a whole of bunch of yoof and it wouldn’t really matter. Well, maybe to him. Who knows, though, maybe we will see wholesale changes from the side most are expecting. At the best of times, it’s been difficult to predict Chelsea this season so I’m thinking they’ll end their domestic season on a high beating the Foxes of Leicester.

Brendan McDonnell: Chelsea 1 – Fleet Foxes 3. I’m trying to think of what would make for the peak 2018/19 result. Sadly, after a thrilling week of securing top four and a place in the Europa League final, that would mean the Blues lose tomorrow, right? I want to be wrong here, but it’s all set up for an annoying 2,189 pass Sarriball sludge-fest.

That said, I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Leicester City recently. They smoked Arsenal (thank you) and gave top of the table Manchester City everything they could handle. Leicester will be playing with extra motivation as the King Power supporters say one last goodbye to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Jamie Vardy scores and Kaspar Schmeichel remains in top form and we look ahead to May 29.

Gabe Henderson: 2 – 2. For all intents and purposes, this game does not matter, especially with the all-important game against the New England Revolution just days away.

In all seriousness, the Blues are going to find it tough to beat a Leicester squad who has looked high-quality since Brendan Rodgers’ return to the Premier League. With yet another unconvincing performance from the Blues on Thursday, don’t expect much at the King Power. A top-four finish is already secured, as well as a Europa League final. Finishing third or fourth simply doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Karan Saini: 1 – 1. Just a game left before the Europa League final, and the highest priority should be keeping the best players fit and ready for Baku.  I’m hoping Maurizio Sarri doesn’t risk the likes of Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. They shouldn’t even be on the bench. Sarri should keep them away from the tackles they face on the pitch every time they go out.

Chelsea has been scoring and conceding the same amount of goals in recent weeks. This should be a match where Leicester will be dominant but the Blues manage a draw.

Scott Brant: 2 – 2. I would like to see some changes. It would be totally Sarri to start Gary Cahill in the last match of the season as if he was being nice or showing compassion. Large turnover would be nice, and a chance to see some rarely-seen faces.

Abhishek Pancholi: 1 – 3. Yes, I’ve been predicting a walloping for the past few weeks and I’ve been wrong. But this is Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester and BRodg will be itching to get one over his former employers.

David Luiz will celebrate his new deal by putting in a performance that will have the club lawyers frantically scanning his contract for a cancellation clause. Jamie Vardy, if available after a wild night of vodka and Skittles, will have a party at Chelsea’s expense. Kepa Arrizabalaga will have to play the role of the designated adult every time the man-children in front of him tumble and fumble against the Foxes’ attack.

Willian will score Chelsea’s only goal around the 70′ to confirm his contract extension by next week and Gonzalo Higuain will miss two gilt-edged chances to level the score later on, sealing his permanent move to London.

Barrett Rouen: 3 – 2. I don’t know, I think there’s a good chance the Blues lose this one because it would be underwhelming and sad to do that and that’s what this Chelsea side do. I just hope that somehow signing David Luiz is related to keeping Eden Hazard.

Nate Hofmann: 2 – 1. Chelsea have one match left this season that actually matters, and it isn’t this one. Coming off a midweek match that was as draining emotionally as it was physically, we can probably expect one of two things: a highly rotated side, or a highly exhausted one. Either way, all that matters is that Chelsea make it through the match with no new injuries.

Leicester, on the other hand, have looked much better since Brendan Rodgers took over in February, and nearly played the role of kingmaker at the Etihad on Monday (Iheanacho sleeper agent, anyone?). It’s been an emotional season for the Foxes after the horrific helicopter accident in October, and you would imagine a home win to close the season would carry some extra significance for the fans and players.

A motivated and capable Leicester City should have the upper hand against a tired Chelsea side whose focus will already be turning towards Arsenal and Baku. Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans to score, with a potential Premier League farewell goal from Hazard in reply.