Leicester v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Leicester host Chelsea in the English Premier League at The King Power Stadium on Tuesday night. Brendan Rodgers’ side are five matches unbeaten and jumped to second place in the table after beating Southampton in their last match. Chelsea got a much-needed win against Fulham last time out but the performance left a lot to be desired.

Leicester Form

The Foxes have been in very good form of late. Having lost consecutive league matches away to Liverpool and at home to Fulham, they have responded well. Rodgers’ side have won five and drawn two of their last eight league matches. After a defeat at home to Everton, they won 2-0 at Tottenham and came back twice to draw 2-2 with Man Utd.

A 1-1 draw followed away at Crystal Palace before wins at Newcastle and 2-0 at home to Southampton last time out. James Maddison and Harvey Barnes netted in that match.

Leicester Team News

Rodgers has almost an entire squad to call upon now that Ricardo Pereira and Caglar Soyuncu are fit to challenge for starting spots again. However, Jamie Vardy went off with a hip injury in the last match and is a slight doubt for this one. Ayoze Perez would likely lead the line if Vardy does not recover.

The one player definitely out is Dennis Praet, whose thigh injury could keep him out for up to three months.

Leicester Motivation

This season, Rodgers is much more pragmatic and adaptable than before. His side have sat deep in a low block to get results, ceded possession in some games and have also played on the front foot when the occasion calls for it.

Chelsea are likely to be most susceptible to being pressed high whilst Frank Lampard’s side leaves space on the counter-attack so Leicester may focus on transitions and not possession. A draw would be an okay result for Leicester but they will play to win, regardless of which game plan they decide to implement.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea picked up a crucial 1-0 win at Fulham last time out but were playing against ten men for the entire second half. That result has eased pressure but the bad run may not be over. Having gone top after beating Leeds in early December, Chelsea have lost 1-0 at Everton, 2-1 at Wolves, 3-1 at Arsenal and 3-1 at home to Man City in their last seven league matches.

They did win 3-0 at home to West Ham and drew 1-1 with Aston Villa during that time, in addition to the Fulham victory, but none of those performances were convincing.

Chelsea Team News

N’Golo Kanté returns from suspension and will certainly start for Chelsea with Jorginho likely to make way. Reece James should be back in the lineup after injury at right back whilst Lampard will have to see if Thiago Silva can play just two recovery days otherwise Kurt Zouma could return.

In attack, Timo Werner or Tammy Abraham could lead the line with Olivier Giroud back on the bench whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi has earned a start and should get it with Christian Pulisic perhaps amongst the substitutes. Kai Havertz will be hoping for a recall in midfield as Mateo Kovacic continues to perform below his best level.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea are going to play to win this match and try to close a six point gap to Leicester. Lampard is likely to set his side up to dominate possession and try to press, but that may suit Leicester’s game of fast breaks and transitions.

A more defensive approach saw teams like Everton and Crystal Palace get good results against Leicester in recent matches and would be a wiser strategy for Chelsea. Instead, they will play an open game. A draw may be settled for in the second period though to try to build some momentum.

Key Stats

Leicester are 7 home matches without a win against Chelsea

4 of the last 5 meetings between Leicester and Chelsea have seen under 2.5 goals

Leicester have lost 1 of their last 8 PL matches (W5, D2)

The Foxes have lost 5 of their last 10 home PL matches

Leicester and Chelsea have drawn 4 of their last 6 meetings

Chelsea have won 2 of their last 8 PL matches

The Blues ended a run 6 PL matches without a clean sheet in their last 

match

Chelsea have lost 3 of their last 4 away PL matches

Prediction

Leicester are in better form but their poor recent home record and lack of wins of late against Chelsea means a draw could be the best tip in this one.

Best Bet: Draw at 3.50

Correct Score Tip: Leicester 1-1 Chelsea at 7.50

Half time exact score: Leicester 0-0 Chelsea at 3.00

BET Contributor