As the Premier League action resumes after the international break, Leicester City host Chelsea at the King Power Stadium for a Saturday lunchtime clash. The match will see a reunion between Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and the club he led back into the top flight, Leicester City. Maresca’s time in charge of the Foxes ended on a mixed note, with some supporters dissatisfied with his style of play despite securing the Championship title and promotion. Now in charge of Chelsea, Maresca has had a promising start, guiding the Blues to the top three in the Premier League, although their recent form has been a bit shaky.
Recent Form:
Chelsea’s recent results show a slight dip, with only one win from their last four Premier League matches. However, their tough run included games against top-tier opponents like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal, with their only victory in that stretch coming against Bournemouth. Despite this, Chelsea’s away form remains impressive, having scored in eight consecutive away matches and netting 12 goals on the road so far this season, which is the best record in the division.
Leicester, on the other hand, have struggled in recent weeks. The Foxes have failed to win in all competitions since their memorable victory over Southampton in late October. Their form before the break saw defeats to Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and a narrow escape against Ipswich Town. With just 10 points from their opening 11 matches, Leicester find themselves in 15th place, three points clear of the relegation zone. Despite these struggles, they have been tough to beat at home, with no back-to-back losses at King Power Stadium this season.
Head-to-Head:
Chelsea have dominated recent encounters with Leicester, winning five of the last six meetings, including a 4-2 victory in the FA Cup quarter-finals last season. The Foxes’ only win in this period came in the 2020 FA Cup final, where Youri Tielemans scored a stunning goal to secure a 1-0 win. Leicester have been competitive at home, though, having scored in every home match this season, including their impressive 4-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Cup.
Team News:
Chelsea will be without Reece James for this match due to a minor hamstring injury. However, the Blues have received positive news regarding other players, with Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, and Levi Colwill all in contention after recent fitness concerns. Romeo Lavia, who was also an injury doubt, is expected to feature, while Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto have returned to full fitness after international duty.
Leicester, meanwhile, face significant injury problems, especially in attack. Abdul Fatawu, who picked up an ACL injury while on international duty with Ghana, will miss the rest of the season. Leicester are also uncertain about the fitness of several key players, including Jamie Vardy (back), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Achilles), and Jordan Ayew (knee). Patson Daka, who had been a doubt due to an ankle injury, is expected to be available. In addition, Facundo Buonanotte will miss the game through suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season.
Predicted Lineups:
Leicester City (4-3-3): Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi, Soumare; El Khannouss, Edouard, Mavididi
Chelsea (4-3-3): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Match Prediction:
Chelsea come into this match as the favorites, given their strong attacking form and superior squad depth. However, Leicester’s ability to perform at home should not be underestimated, especially as they have managed to avoid consecutive losses at King Power Stadium this season. With Chelsea’s recent form a little patchy, particularly after the international break, Leicester will look to capitalize on any rustiness in the visitors’ play.
Chelsea’s attacking prowess, led by the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson, is likely to be the difference in this match, but Leicester’s resilience could see them put up a strong fight. It’s a game that could go either way, but Chelsea’s superior squad depth and overall form might give them the edge.
Prediction: Leicester 1-2 Chelsea.
