Chelsea prepare for their first home appearance of the new season as Leicester City role upto Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Having put up a great display away at Burnley, Chelsea would be hoping to continue their winning form against yet another promoted team. Meanwhile, Leicester showed great character to earn a draw against Everton last week, and would be happy to repeat the same against an even tougher opponent.
TEAM NEWS:
CHELSEA
Jose Mourinho has no particular injury concerns and is likely to field a very strong and similar side, if not the same, to last week. Thibaut Courtois is almost certain to wear the gloves, unless Mourinho decides to give Peter Cech a send-off, as he prepares to leave the club. Mourinho might give new signing Filipe Luis his first start at left-back, with Cesar Azpilicueta sitting out. Brainslav Ivanovic, who scored in last week’s match, is likely to continue at right-back. Kurt Zouma would love to get his first start for Chelsea after moving in last January, but is unlikely to oust either of John Terry or Gary Cahill at centre-back.
In the middle of the park, Nemanja Matic and last game’s Man Of The Match Cesc Fabregas seem to be nailed on to start, while Ramires returns from suspension and might get a run in from the bench. Oscar and Eden Hazard are also likely to keep their places in the squad, but Andre Schhurle in spite of his goal last time, is likely to suffer from Mourinho’s love for rotation as he might make way for either Mohammed Salah or Willian.
Upfront, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres would have to be contempt with bench roles with Diego Costa cementing the sole striker berth with a good show last week.
LEICESTER CITY
While his counterpart has no injury concerns at all, Nigel Pearson has been rocked by injuries to key players. Danny Drinkwater was subbed off last match with a hamstring injury and is set to miss out. With another of last seasons’ regular starter, Matty James still recovering from a calf injury, Pearson have been forced to field a relatively new partnership in the centre of midfield with Andy King playing alongside Dean Hammond. Anthony Knockaertand Riyad Mahrez should take the wide roles, while Leandro Ulloa and David Nugent lead the line in the 4-4-2.
The new signing from Aston Villa Marc Albrighton has recovered from injury and could challenge for a role on the right of the midfield while Jamie Vardy, Nugent’s strike partner from last time steadily steps up his fitness.
Pearson is likely to continue with his regular back four- Wes Morgan, Liam Moore, Ritchie De Laet and Paul Konchesky and Kasper Schmeichel below the bar, with The Foxes set to have a tough day at office.
STYLE OF PLAY EXPECTED:
Going by Chelsea’s current form, Leicester City is expected to have the daunting task of containing an unending sea of attacks. Against Burnley, the presence of Cesar Azpilicueta and Diego Costa’s early yellow card slowed down Chelsea a bit after the initial rush. But with Filipe Luis also coming into the equation, Chelsea are expected to test the Leicester backline quite a lot.
For Leicester, leaving the Bridge with atleast 1 point will be precious. They would be looking to hit on the counter or from set-pieces. Apart from those far and few chances, they are likely to be dominated with Chelsea keeping most of the possession.
Chelsea vs Leicester City – PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): COURTOIS; IVANOVIC-TERRY-CAHILL-LUIS; FABREGAS-MATIC; SALAH-OSCAR-HAZARD; COSTA.
LEICESTER CITY (4-4-2): SCHMEICHEL; DE LAET-MORGAN-MOORE-KONCHESKY; HAMMOND-KING-KNOCKAERT-MAHREZ; NUGENT-ULLOA.
Chelsea vs Leicester City – MATCH FACTS:
- Chelsea won four Barclays Premier League games in a row against Leicester before the Foxes were relegated in 2004.
- The Foxes have only ever won one of eight Premier League trips to Stamford Bridge (W1 D2 L5).
- Chelsea are top of the Premier League after the first matchday. None of the previous three instances (1999, 2008, 2010) have seen them go on to win the title.
- Chelsea have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.
- Fabregas assisted only one goal and failed to score in six Premier League appearances at Stamford Bridge for Arsenal.
- Leicester won 14 of their 23 away games in the Championship last season, three more than any other side.
- The Foxes’ last away defeat in the league came last December v Brighton.
Facts compiled from uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
KEY PLAYERS:
CHELSEA: Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa
LEICESTER CITY: Kasper Schmeichel, Leandro Ulloa, David Nugent
Chelsea vs Leicester City – PREDICTIONS:
CHELSEA 3-0 LEICESTER