Leicester City welcome league leaders – Chelsea to King Power Stadium as Thomas Tuchel’s Blues look to extend their title lead.
Victory would see Leicester climb up to sixth in the table, whereas a win would see Chelsea move six points clear of Manchester City who don’t play until Sunday afternoon.
Team News
Youri Tielemans is ruled out for Leicester after suffering a calf injury in the Foxes’ 1-1 draw at Leeds a fortnight ago.
Marc Albrighton (knock) could return but Ryan Bertrand, James Justin (both knee) and Wesley Fofana (leg) are ruled out.
Chelsea could welcome Mason Mount back after the midfielder missed England’s victorious World Cup Qualifiers against Albania and San Marino, following dental surgery earlier this month.
Timo Werner (hamstring) and Marcos Alonso (knock) are also expected to be in contention but Romelu Lukaku (ankle) and Mateo Kovacic (hamstring) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Leicester have lost just one of their last seven league meetings against Chelsea (W2, D4, L1).
- Chelsea have won two of their last five league visits to Leicester (W2, D2, L1).
- Three of Leicester’s last four home goals against Chelsea in league meetings have been scored by English players (Harvey Barnes, Ben Chilwell & James Maddison).
- Four of Jamie Vardy’s seven league goals for Leicester this season have been scored on his right foot.
- Andreas Christiansen has won 28 of his 52 aerial battles for Chelsea this season – more than any other Blues player.
Prediction
In their last two league matches, defending has been Leicester’s biggest issue because they struggled with the high physicality and energy of Arsenal and Leeds, instead growing into both matches as time wore on which proved crucial with a superbly clinical equaliser to snatch a draw at Leeds after conceding.
Chelsea meanwhile were uncharacteristically scrappy last time out in their draw against Burnley with wasteful finishing to excellent chances, despite dominating with immense intensity which eventually proved their downfall once their energy dropped so tempo management and finishing will be key here.
I however do hope that Chelsea approach this with slight caution because this is the second top team that Leicester are facing at home after an international break, having beat Manchester United after last month’s international action and Man Utd had drawn at home 1-1 just before that trip.
Chelsea though should have Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner back in the starting line-up and if they can find their best foot quickly, Chelsea should have enough for a win here and avoid the same fate as Utd.
Prediction: Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
Result: Leicester 0-3 Chelsea