European qualification is still a possibility for Leicester and it could be easier to cap a successful season in the league than in the FA Cup.
Leicester City have cruised through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup without ever having to exert themselves.
The 2015-16 Premier League champions have rested key men and three times seen off lower league opposition to reach the last eight.
But Claude Puel’s men will not have it quite so easy in the next round when they welcome Chelsea, who will be looking to secure silverware at the end of a disappointing league season.
After the title win and last year’s Champions League run, lifting the FA Cup would be a great addition to the legacy of this Leicester side and they will undoubtedly still back themselves at home to the struggling champions.
However, the Foxes also retain an interest in the league campaign and could qualify for the Europa League if they edge ahead of Burnley and one of the top-six sides lifts the FA Cup.
Puel has impressed since arriving at the KingPower Stadium, but his side’s schedule will really test his ability now.
In an ideal world, Leicester would finish seventh and win the cup, but their good league form has coincided with stars being rested in the competition’s early rounds.
No fan wants to see their manager play a weakened team in the cup – especially at the quarter-final stage – and a favourable fixture list in the coming weeks could see Leicester comfortably ahead of Burnley and the rest ahead of that clash with Chelsea.
But it will be very interesting indeed to see how Puel handles the match if his side’s European hopes are dwindling by that stage.
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