FA CUP FINAL: FOOTBALL BOOTS GUIDE

Having enjoyed two major European finals over the past couple of weeks, the football world’s attention now turns to Wembley and the most famous cup final of them all, the FA Cup.

The London stadium will be packed and millions will tune in via live television as Everton and Chelsea go head to head on Saturday.

Some of players have been quoted as saying the game is too close to call – Chelsea with perhaps the edge on individual talent but Everton with all the discipline in the world and a marvellous team ethic.

Here’s the Footy Boots guide to where the match might be won and lost and to the football boots of the players that will doubtless hit the headlines.

Anelka v Baines

Nicolas Anelka has been a revelation since Guus Hiddink took over the reigns at Chelsea and he ended the season as the Premier League’s top scorer. Kitted out in his Puma v1.08’s, the Frenchman is expected to start on the right of a 3 man Chelsea attack although he’s shown many times already this campaign that he can cut through the middle with equally devastating affect.

But when stationed on the right of Drogba and Malouda, it’ll be the job of Everton’s Leighton Baines in his adidas Predator Control boots to keep him quiet as well as covering for Lescott and Yobo in the centre of defence.

Anelka has enjoyed great success in the Puma v1.08 Camo

Lampard v Neville

Frank Lampard is one of the best in the world at breaking from midfield. His seasonal goal tally is testament to that. Having declared himself as fully fit, the Londoner will be desperate to end the season with some silverware in the cabinet to ease the pain of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final exit.

Being such an ominous threat, Everton are expected to put a man-marker on the England international and Phil Neville is favourite for the job. And, even better for us, is that with both players in adidas, it’s going to be an adiPure battle royal.

Lampard and Neville both go for the adiPure II

Cahill & Lescott v Terry & Alex.

Not a classic encounter as in forwards versus defenders, but more a reflection on the ariel threat the Everton duo will pose, particularly from set plays.

Both of them will be looking for that all-important spring from their Cup Final footwear, Cahill, in his Predator Powerswerves and Lescott in Nike Total 90 Laser II’s. So Alex (Nike Air Legend II) and Terry (Umbro SX Valor II – though he’s been training in the Speciali) will need to be on their collective guard.

Can the Total 90 Laser II propell Lescott to success?

Footy Boots prediction.

Chelsea by a whisker.

Home Page image from Wembley.com