Arsenal and Chelsea, the two capital clubs, face each other in the FA Cup final for the first time since 2002. Back then the Gunners won the trophy, but the Blues are enjoying a season to remember and they are definitely capable of emerging triumphant in the Wembley Stadium clash.
Fine form
For the analysis of this match, we teamed up with Matt Bryans, sports betting guru at FootballPredictions.com. Despite recording five consecutive wins in the season finale, Arsenal eventually finished the 2016/2017 Premier League campaign in fifth position in the standings. The Gunners failed to book their place in the Champions League, but they could save the season with a victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Fans are angry with manager Arsene Wenger and, no doubt, the experienced tactician is under big pressure ahead of Saturday’s football match. Alexis Sanchez is undisputedly the team’s key player and the Chilean attacker, who scored 24 league goals, is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back-line. Arsenal are eyeing their 13th FA Cup trophy, but Arsene Wenger’s troops will have to be at their sharpest in the Wembley Stadium showdown if they are to beat the high-flying Blues. Yet another man to watch in the home team will be Mesut Ozil, who provided an assist for Aaron Ramsey in a 3-1 win over Everton on the last day of the season.
The likes of Santi Cazorla and Gabriel Paulista are both sidelined with injury, whilst Laurent Koscielny is out of contention through suspension. The likes of Mustafi, Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain are all rated doubtful.
Blues brimming with confidence
Thanks to a 5-1 win over Sunderland Chelsea put an icing on the cake on a very successful season. The Blues totally deserved to win the Premier League trophy, but they do not want to stop now. Antonio Conte’s men are high on confidence ahead of the FA Cup final and they will certainly give 100% to win their eighth trophy in the prodigious cup competition. Chelsea lifted their last FA Cup trophy in 2012, with the team beating Liverpool in the title game and it remains to be seen if they are capable of repeating the success. Eden Hazard was struggling to find his best form under Jose Mourinho last season, but the Belgian ace seems to be on top of his game at the moment and the opposition defenders should have him at bay. As before, top scorer Diego Costa is likely to lead the line for Antonio Conte’s team against Arsenal.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek misses the FA Cup final with injury, but coach Antonio Conte has no other selection worries ahead of the match. The Italian tactician is likely to stick to the 3-4-3 formation. Winger Pedro should be recalled to the starting XI.
Prediction
According to Matt Bryans, both Arsenal and Chelsea have been in a thrilling form of late, but, no doubt, the Gunners want this win more than the Stamford Bridge outfit. The Gunners failed to impress in the 2016/2017 Premier League campaign, that they are desperate to give fans some cheer and we believe that there is a certain value in betting on the Emirates Stadium club.
