Chelsea v Leicester – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Chelsea face Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday evening at Stamford Bridge. The Foxes beat The Blues on Saturday in the FA Cup final and now face Thomas Tuchel’s side in the race for third and fourth spot in the league.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea have been largely excellent since Thomas Tuchel arrived but 18 clean sheets in 24 matches always looked unsustainable. They have lost four of their last 13 matches with a dip in domestic performances especially. A 1-0 home loss to Arsenal was followed by losing the FA Cup final 1-0 to Leicester on Saturday.

Under Tuchel, the side have conceded just 10 goals in 17 Premier League matches (the best record in that time) but have scored just 22 goals, the 11^th most since the German arrived. His side have fired blanks in five of those matches as well as against Premier League opposition in Leicester in the cup

Chelsea Team News

Tuchel is expected to have Andreas Christensen and Mateo Kovacic back in the squad after injuries. Edouard Mendy will be recalled in goal in place of Kepa Arrizabalaga. Christensen could start if fully fit but Kovacic is expected to be a substitute.

Chelsea are expected to rotate in some other positions with Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi hoping for opportunities at wingback and both Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic likely to start in attack with Hakim Ziyech almost certain to be dropped. Top scorer Tammy Abraham will probably be left out of the squad altogether once again.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea need to win this match, to overtake Leicester and have their top four hopes in their own hands going into the final weekend’s match. Should Tuchel’s side lose, then they will be relying on Liverpool slipping up to finish in the top four. If it ends in a draw, then Chelsea need Liverpool and Leicester to slip up.

Tuchel won’t change his tactics with a 3-4-3 shape in possession that become a 5-3-2 of sorts when defending. Don’t expect a gung ho approach – the German will aim to keep a clean sheet first and foremost.

Leicester Form

Leicester have lost three of their last seven in the Premier League but still have their top four aspirations in their own hands. Having lost to Man City and West Ham, Leicester bounced back with two wins. A poor 1-1 draw at ten man Southampton followed before a 4-2 home defeat to Newcastle.

Things looked worrying at that stage but they were fortunate to play Man Utd’s second string side and won 2-1 at Old Trafford before a top defensive performance to beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley to lift their first ever FA Cup.

Leicester Team News

Leicester are expected to be without Jonny Evans in defence after he limped off in the FA Cup. Marc Albrighton is likely to take his place with Timothy Castagne in the back three. Long-term injury victims Harvey Barnes and James Justin are still absent.

Rodgers may be tempted to freshen up his side with one or two changes at most but he lacks many options. James Maddison is the most hopeful of starting in place of Ayoze Perez but perhaps Jamie Vardy may need a breather and could instead be used for the second half.

Leicester Motivation

Leicester need a draw from this match at least. A defeat means that Liverpool can win their remaining matches and take a top four finish. A win guarantees Leicester the top four so motivation will be huge to nick a win.

As at Wembley and in the reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium, Leicester will play quite defensively and look to counter attack through Vardy, Perez and Iheanacho.

Key Stats

Chelsea have kept 18 clean sheets in their last 27 matches

Chelsea have lost 4 of their last 13 matches in all competitions

Chelsea have seen under 2.5 goals in 20 of their last 23 matches in all competitions

Tuchel’s team have failed to score in 5 of his 17 PL matches in charge

The Foxes have lost 3 of their last 7 PL matches

Leicester have conceded 10 goals in their last 6 PL matches

Leicester have lost just 1 of their last 11 away PL matches (W5, D5)

Leicester have lost just 1 of their last 7 matches against Chelsea

Prediction

This will be another very close match. Chelsea are dipping at just the wrong time but Mendy’s return means they have enough to keep a clean sheet in this one. Whether they can score remains the question with the side very goal-shy under Tuchel. A draw looks the best bet with few goals in the match.

Best Bet: Draw at 3.75

Alternative Bet: Under 1.5 goals at 1.95

Correct Score Tip: Chelsea 0-0 Leicester at 8.25 

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