CHRIS Graham (@chrisgraham79) previews the midweek clash between Leicester and Chelsea. Let's back a winner!
Leicester v Chelsea | Wednesday 19:45 | Sky Sports 1
Leicester eh? What happened there? Like most, I had given them their last rites and consigned them to a Championship return but it turns out I was too hasty. Or was I?
Four wins in a row is a fantastic achievement and part of me thinks this is the perfect game for them tonight with the pressure off. They're not expecting any points so can play with freedom. I suspect that's how they've approached the last few weeks. We're going down = pressure off etc.
After meek yet successful performances against Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, Chelsea's players should enjoy playing without the handbrake on on Wednesday and that certainly might be an angle to look at.
Whatever happens here, Chelsea will have the chance to wrap up the title at the weekend against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, but they'll be bang up for this match.
The champions-elect are a punters dream in many ways. It's not often you get WTF results with the club, draws against Burnley and Southampton are the only occasions this year in the league I can recall them letting supporters down at short odds. I can't see that happening again on Wednesday.
For all that Leicester have been fantastic in recent weeks, they haven't really produced a staggering result.
West Ham at home? Doesn't get much easier than that at the moment.
West Brom away? Yup, respect there, but they are in the bottom half.
Swansea at home? They're on the beach man!
Burnley away? They've gone at the game!
Yes, I am being slightly harsh on Leicester. Like I said earlier, they deserve enormous credit, but Chelsea is a level up from the four examples above and with Newcastle coming up on Saturday there may be other things on their mind.
Chelsea have dropped points 22 points this season but only four against bottom half opponents and for me that's telling. They haven't won by more than one goal in the league since January but consistently do enough to get the job done.
Everton at a low ebb? Beat them 1-0. West Ham in East London? Beat them 1-0. Hull? 3-2 to Chelsea. Stoke? Grinded out a 2-1 win. QPR? Fabregas, remember.
I'll pass at backing them at 4/5, but I'll grab them at 14/5 to win by exactly one goal. That's paid out in four of the last five Chelsea league games and in their last seven PL wins.
Best Bets
Leicester v Chelsea – Chelsea to win by exactly one goal (14/5 BetVictor)
Chelsea 4/1 To Beat Leicester
Oi! If you don't have a Betfair account, this might be the time to get involved.
They'll give you 4/1 if you join before kick off.
