Pat Nevin felt that squad rotation and Leicester City claiming their first FA Cup would give Chelsea an advantage in tomorrow’s Premier League tie.
Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, Nevin was forecasting Tuesdays massive league contest between the Blues and Leicester.
It is a repeat of last weekends cup finale, a fixture that the Foxes came out on top of.
Thomas Tuchel will be seeking revenge and to avoid losing three games on the bounce for the first time in charge of Chelsea.
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Nevin felt like his former side would just edge in front at Stamford Bridge because of Leicesters cup hangover and their lack of player power in reserve.
He said: Both teams are absolutely, utterly up for it. I just get the feeling that when youve got a trophy.
Theyve (Leicester) now got the league and the FA Cup. It may well be there might a tiny little switch off.
The other thing is; strength in depth of squads. Chelsea have got amazing strength in depth in their squad.
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They can make a lot of changes after that emotional and tiring game at the end of the season.
I dont know if it makes them any weaker. Whereas Im not sure Leicester can (make changes).
Then you stick on top of that no Jonny Evans. Im taking Jonny Evans will not be fit for this.
I would go Chelsea being slightly favourites. But its a really tight one again.
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Chelsea will need every upper hand they can muster if they are to overcome Leicester, who have proved a tough nut to crack this term.
Frank Lampard was manager when the Blues lost the reverse league fixture in January, a fate that Tuchel also tasted on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers arguably put out his strongest available XI at Wembley, with the possible exception of James Maddison starting as a substitute.
They will almost certainly be without Evans, who came off after 30 minutes having just returned from an injury layoff.
(Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Chelsea meanwhile can afford to make a heap of changes and not lower the value of their team.
The likes of Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi could all be recalled by Tuchel.
But he must get his selection spot on, such is the magnitude of this league tie.
Anything other than three points would seriously damage the Blues quest for Champions League qualification.
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