Leicester travel to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon in what could be one of the more interesting fixtures of the weekend. Chelsea’s most recent title wins sandwiched Leicester’s historic victory and there are plenty of sub-plots ahead of this match.
Antonio Conte won’t be happy with what he’s seen in the last two games, with both results ending in a goalless draw, first against Norwich and then against Arsenal in midweek. On top of that, Alvaro Morata is desperately struggling for form, with one goal in his last seven league matches. Two former Leicester players now play at Stamford Bridge in Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante. The former is unlikely to start on Saturday, but the latter has also dropped off in recent weeks too.
For Leicester, there’s plenty of reliance on Riyad Mahrez, who’s form has gone relatively unnoticed this season. The Algerian has scored eight league goals and has the same number of assists. A good performance at Stamford Bridge could see him the subject of a transfer bid from some of the top sides in the January window.
Chelsea vs. Leicester City Predictions
Chelsea’s league form has been excellent of late, with four wins in their last six games, but the cup games may have affected their confidence. They were poor in attack against Arsenal and if they don’t score early, the crowd might start to get on their back. Leicester though are inconsistent and their record at Stamford Bridge is terrible. Chelsea should have too much for Claude Puel’s side and they should win fairly comfortably.
Chelsea vs. Leicester City Betting Tips
- Chelsea to win: 2/7
- Draw: 9/2
- Leicester to win: 10/1
- Chelsea to win 2-1: 17/2
- Riyad Mahrez to score anytime: 17/4
Head to Head
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last 11 meetings with Leicester City in the Premier League (W9 D1 L1), losing 1-2 in December 2015 at the King Power Stadium.
- Leicester City have won just once in their last 11 previous Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge (W1 D3 L7), winning 2-0 in September 2000, with Muzzy Izzet and Stan Collymore scoring.
- Leicester have lost 12 of their last 14 games against Chelsea in all competitions (W1 D1).
- The Foxes are winless in their last 12 away Premier League games against “big six” opposition (W0 D3 L9), losing each of the last five.
- Since losing to Manchester City in September, Chelsea have won each of their last seven home Premier League games, shipping just three goals and keeping five clean sheets in that time.
- Antonio Conte has won 25 of his opening 30 home Premier League games as manager, no boss in the competition has won more of their opening 30. Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti also won 25, with Mourinho drawing and Ancelotti losing their 31st home games in charge.
- Leicester have both scored and conceded in 14 of their 22 league games this season, more than any other Premier League side.
- Davide Zappacosta (who had no goals or assists in his first 11 Premier League games) has come off the bench to either score or assist a goal in each of his last two league appearances.
- Riyad Mahrez has been directly involved in 14 goals (7 goals, 7 assists) after 22 Premier League games this season, nine more than he had managed after as many games in 2016/17 (five, three goals two assists).
- Since August 2014, Jamie Vardy has scored more Premier League goals against “big six” opposition than any other player (22 goals in 41 appearances).
Chelsea Team News
Eden Hazard returned from injury to play 83 minutes in midweek against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and Antonio Conte has no fresh injury concerns ahead of this game.
Probable Chelsea XI: Thibault Courtois, Victor Moses, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Gary Cahill, Marcos Alonso, N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata
Leicester City Team News
Jamie Vardy has recovered from the groin injury that caused him to miss last week’s FA Cup tie with Fleetwood. There’s further good news for Claude Puel with the return of both Christian Fuchs and Vicente Iborra from illness and a hamstring injury respectively. However, Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson are both out injured.
Probable Leicester XI: Kasper Schmeichel, Amartey, Dragovic, Harry Maguire, Christian Fuchs, Riyad Mahrez, Wilfried Ndidi, James, Matty Albrighton, Shinji Okazaki, Jamie Vardy
