MY ACCOUNT
The 141st men’s FA Cup final takes place on Saturday and it is a rematch of the Carabao Cup showpiece from earlier in the campaign as Liverpool take on Chelsea.
Liverpool prevailed on penalties on that occasion and are looking to add their second trophy to what could be a historic season, with a Champions League final against Real Madrid looming.
The Blues, meanwhile, are looking to put the disappointment of back-to-back losses at this stage behind them, falling to Arsenal and then Leicester City in the last two seasons.
In fact, the Blues have reached four of the last five finals but have lifted the trophy on just one occasion.
Team news
Liverpool have an almost entirely injury-free squad heading into this game after Roberto Firmino returned to the bench against Aston Villa.
Fabinho came off with a hamstring issue in that clash and is a doubt for this Wembley encounter but could well line up.
Chelsea have a number of players with injuries on the other hand. Long-term absentees Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are set to miss out, while N’Golo Kante is doubtful and Mateo Kovacic is touch-and-go after injuring his ankle against Leeds.
The stats
These teams have met three times this season with all of the games finishing as a draw after 90 minutes.
However, the pair come into this encounter in contrasting form, Liverpool have won 12 of their last 15 outings while Chelsea have been victorious in just two of their last six.
Despite that, the Blues will take some solace from the fact that Liverpool have conceded first in each of their last three matches and Jurgen Klopp has failed to win his last five meetings with Thomas Tuchel in 90 minutes.
FA Cup final predictions
Despite the fact that it has been honours even the three times these sides have met this season, it is hard not to fancy Liverpool to win this clash in 90 minutes given Chelsea’s poor recent form.
Tuchel’s men have lost to Arsenal and Everton, as well as drawing with Manchester United and Wolves, in their last six games.
Injuries to their central midfielders could leave them light in the middle of the park and the Reds may benefit.
Luis Diaz has been a revelation for Liverpool since signing in January and seems to have played his way into their first team for the biggest games.
The Colombian will likely face Cesar Azpiliceuta on the right side of Chelsea’s back three and Diaz could end up with his name on the scoresheet as a result of the potential mismatch.
On the opposite flank, Marcos Alonso may struggle to contain the two-pronged attack of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, particularly if the wing-back starts to go forward with more regularity later in the game.
Alonso has been booked eight times in the Premier League this season, the most of any Chelsea player, and could well end up seeing a card once more.
