Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-1
Best Odds: 7/1
Premier League rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa will lock horns with each other in the fourth round of the FA Cup this week. The match between the Blues and the Villans will be held at Stamford Bridge in London and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 pm UK time on Friday evening.
Chelsea
Chelsea are not having the best of seasons and may not end up in the top four of the Premier League table this campaign. Mauricio Pochettino’s side were expected at least push for the UEFA Champions League places in te standings this season, but things have not been rosy for the London club.
The Blues are ninth in the Premier League table at the moment with 31 points from 21 matches. Chelsea are 12 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the league table. The former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners are below the likes of Villa, West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Chelsea, though, are doing well in the cup competitions. The Blues will lock horns with Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge in London in the second leg of the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. They lost the first leg 1-0. Chelsea beat Fulham 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in London in the Premier League in their last competitive matches.
Team News:
Chelsea are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Aston Villa. Djordje Petrovic will be in goal for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Maio Gusto, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill will be the four defenders and will have Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez ahead of them in defensive midfield. Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling will be the three attacking midfielders and will have Armando Broja upfront.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are having a great season. Unai Emery’s side are exceeding expectations at the moment. Not only are the Villans in the running for the Premier League top four this season, they could even launch an unlikely challenge for the title.
Villa are as high as fourth in the Premier League table at the moment with 43 points from 21 matches. They are five points behind leaders Liverpool and are level on points with Manchester City and Arsenal, who are second and third respectively in the standings. Defending champions City have played 20 games.
The Villans will fancy a long run in the FA Cup. Manager Unai Emery knows how to get his teams to win cup matches and competitions, and the fans will hope for an exciting time in the FA Cup this season.
Team News:
Aston Villa are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation against Chelsea. Emiliano Martinez will be in goal for Unai Emery’s side. Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Clement Lenglet and Alex Moreno will be the four defenders. Leon Bailey, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz and John McGinn will be the four midfielders. Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins will be the two forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Chelsea have won their last 3 Premier League matches.
- Aston Villa have won 2 of their last 5 Premier League matches.
- Cole Palmer has scored 9 goals and given 7 assists in 22 games in all competitions for Chelsea this season.
- Nicolas Jackson has scored 8 goals and given 2 assists in 23 games in all competitions for Chelsea this season.
- Ollie Watkins has scored 14 goals and provided 8 assists in 29 matches in all competitions for Aston Villa this campaign.
Conclusion
Chelsea are in good form at the moment and will fancy going on a long run in the FA Cup. Playing at home will give the Blues an advantage against Aston Villa. While Unai Emery will be keen on Villa winning the competition, it is likely that Chelsea will win the tie.
Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-1
Best Odds: 7/1
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