Arsenal vs Chelsea Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 29/07/2020, 12:17  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/07/2020 at 13:17 in FA Cup Predictions

The Heads Up FA Cup Final being played at Wembley behind closed doors is another sign of the way we are living at present. Not just the coronavirus problem is being highlighted but the Heads Up title refers to the ongoing campaign to help footballers with their mental health.  Arsenal take on Chelsea and for them it represents a chance to clinch a place in Europe next season. For Chelsea, it's an opportunity for Frank Lampard to win a trophy in his first season as boss of the club. The Gunners finished eighth in the Premier League, they have two chances to qualify for the Europa League. Firstly, they can win this trophy for a record 14th time. If that fails, they must hope that Wolverhampton Wanderers win this season's Europa League. They come into this game in good form having recent wins over both Liverpool and Manchester City. It was the latter that earned them this appearance in the FA Cup final, their 21st in all with a record 13 victories. They have won three of their last four games and to reach this final have had to beat three Premier League sides and Championship winners Leeds United. A win at Wembley will make it four FA Cup triumphs in seven years. They last lost a final in 2001 and since then have won six finals in a row. That last loss was in a game played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiif, the last defeat in a Wembley FA Cup final was exactly 40 years ago.

Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League. Their manager has won this trophy as a player and would love to do the same now in charge of a team. They had to beat Liverpool, Leicester City and Manchester United on their way to this final. Chelsea come into the game having won three of their last four matches. Their defending isn't great though and since lockdown, West Ham, Sheffield United and Liverpool have all beaten them, scoring 11 goals in the process. Chelsea have won the FA Cup on eight previous occasions. They didn't win their first until 1970 and had to wait until 1997 for the second. Their last victory was in 2018 when beating Manchester United 1-0. The year before that they lost to Arsenal, the second time the Gunners have beaten them in the cup final. They will be hoping for third time lucky but Arsenal have more to play for, in-form strikers and Chelsea's defending may again let them down. Go for Arsenal to win the FA Cup.