Source: chelseafc.com
Leicester City travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend in a tough game against a very strong Chelsea team. The Blues brushed aside Burnley earlier in the week to secure their first win of the season, whilst Leicester will be taking some positives from their first game, which saw them share the points with Everton.
The Blues put down a Premier League title marker with their 3-1 away victory over Burnley earlier this week. They fell behind on 13th minute but were imperious from there on; delivering a performance that justifies their status as pre-season Premier League favourites. A debut goal for Diego Costa and a majestic man-of-the-match display from Cesc Fabregas added to the positives that Jose Mourinho can take from Chelsea’s opening-day win.
Leicester boss Nigel Pearson will also be quite pleased with how his side started the campaign as they drew 2-2 with Everton at the King Power Stadium. Championship winners twice came from behind to gain a point on their return to the top flight, against a side who are expected to be challenging for the top four.
LAST MEETING:
Chelsea defeated Leicester City in the 2011/12 FA Cup quarter-finals by a scoreline of 5-2 at Stamford Bridge. They went on to lift both the FA Cup and the Champions League trophies that season.
TEAM NEWS:
Chelsea are likely to stay with the same lineup, which looked strong in their previous game, whilst there are no current injury concerns for the home side.
Danny Drinkwater will probably missing out against the Chelsea side while Dean Hammond could partner Andy King to replace Drinkwater. The away side are also not sure on the conditions of Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy while Matthew Upson has been sidelined from the weekend fixture because of foot injury. David Nugent will be looking forward to partner club’s record signing Leonardo Ulloa in the attacking front while Chris Wood might look forward for a push to the starting role after bagging late equalizer for his side in the opening match.
The London Blues have won their last six matches against Leicester and scored 20 goals in the process.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS:
Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois; Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta;Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas, Oscar; Andre Schurrle, Diego Costa, Eden Hazard
Leicester: Kasper Schmeichel; Ritchie De Laet, Liam Moore, Wes Morgan, Paul Konchesky; Riyad Mahrez, Dean Hammond, Andy King, Anthony Knockaert; Leonardo Ulloa, David Nugent
KEY MEN:
Chelsea: CESC FABREGAS had a perfect start for Chelsea against Burnley last weekend, putting in a Man of the Match performance. He played a part in all three Chelsea goals. He had the best passing accuracy (88%) after Eden Hazard who had 93%. Cesc Fabregas also took 104 touches on the ball, the most by any player in Premier League in the opening week. Jose Mourinho will need him to be on top of his game to unlock a resolute Leicester defense. It was against teams lower in the table that Chelsea struggled to get results against, in the last season.
Leicester: Former Brighton and Hove Albion striker LEONARDO ULLOA opened his Premier League account against Everton on Saturday, but he will have to be at his clinical best to finish any of the few chances that will come his way against a ridiculously solid Chelsea defense. It is likely he will hold the ball up and attempt to make runs behind the defense to crack the impervious Terry-Cahill central defense partnership.
PREDICTION:
Chelsea to beat Leicester City comprehensively.
Chelsea 3-0 Leicester City
– @IntercettaPass