Chelsea v Arsenal: RequestABets for FA Cup final

Charlie Nicholas' RequestABet

Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard both to score and 50+ booking points at 12/1

There’s obviously the defensive issues for Arsenal but I’m not sure they are as dramatic as people are making out.

Rob Holding has done well consistently since coming into the team and deserves his place and if Shkodran Mustafi can make it then that will be a big boost.

Big players all too often turn up on the big occasions and there are few bigger than Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez, so I fancy both of them to find the net.

I think the Wembley pitch suits Arsenal and they might even be a bit more motivated than Chelsea after such a tough season, so I’m certainly hopeful despite the odds being well in favour of the Premier League champions.

There will be no love lost between these two sides so I’d expect a fair few bookings, especially if one team has a comfortable lead and the other loses their discipline.

Sporting Life's RequestABet

Chelsea to win and both teams to score, Arsenal to have five or more corners and Per Mertesacker to be carded at 20/1

Chelsea to win and both teams to score - FA Cup finals between two high-quality sides tend not to feature many goals, such as when Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-0 some 15 years ago, and when Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 after extra-time 10 years ago. However, with Arsenal’s defence depleted and both sides in great form going forward, this one could be different. There could also be an element of freedom about Chelsea’s play and an element of desperation about Arsenal’s, all of which could lead to a thriller.

Arsenal to have five or more corners - Arsenal have won the corner count to nil in both recent FA Cup finals, but clearly this is a different kettle of fish. However, even in losing 3-1 to Chelsea in February they had 13 corners, and in two clashes between these sides this season lead 22-11. Backing them to win the corner count is therefore an option, but let’s keep things simple by relying on them hitting a target of five. Arsenal averaged six per game in the league last season and were awarded at least five in both meetings with Chelsea, plus both meetings with Spurs.

Per Mertesacker to be carded - The big German isn’t usually one to find himself in hot water – he earned just one yellow and one red in 36 games the season before last – but might be exposed and forced to resort to foul play on what’s set to be his first start of the season. The aforementioned sending off was against Chelsea, too, and it came when he slid in as last man having been caught out by a through-ball in the direction of Diego Costa. It’s not difficult to see history repeating.

Posted at 1700 BST on 26/05/17; prices subject to change