Leicester v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Leicester host Chelsea at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League in the early kick-off on Saturday. The hosts sit 12th in the league table after a poor start whilst Chelsea top the league. The visitors will want to avenge the FA Cup final defeat of last season. Chelsea has just a single win in their last seven Premier League meetings with Leicester (D4, L2).

Leicester Form

Leicester has been wildly inconsistent of late. They finished last season with three defeats in their final four matches to miss out on the top four but also lifted the FA Cup by beating Chelsea. They sit 12th this season after four defeats in their first 11 matches. With 18 goals conceded, they have the fifth-worst defensive record.

they bounced back from a four-match winless run to beat Manchester United 4-2 and win 2-1 at Brentford. With the Europa League as a distraction, they succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal before a 1-1 draw at Leeds in their last league match.

They created just 0.9 xG to Leeds’ 1.7 xG in relatively poor performance.

Leicester Team News

Brendan Rodgers remains without two defenders due to long-term injuries in Wesley Fofana and James Justin. Ryan Bertrand is doubtful at left-back against his former club with a knee injury too.

In midfield, Youri Tielemans missed the international break with a calf problem and could miss out. Timothy Castagne could deputize at left-back with Boubakary Soumare continuing in central midfield next to Wilfred Ndidi.

Leicester Motivation

Leicester beat Chelsea last season by playing quite defensively, nicking a goal, and then absorbing pressure. They are capable of taking a more proactive approach too should they select Kelechi Iheanacho and go to a 4-4-2 shape or a 3-5-2.

Considering their poor form and having a must-win match against Legia Warsaw on Thursday, Leicester may be quite satisfied to take a draw from this match.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea sits top of the Premier League table. Their first eight matches brought eight wins and a draw (plus a resounding home loss to Man City) but they surprisingly dropped points in their last match. They produced 2.4 xG and only allowed 0.6 xG for Burnley but still dropped two points in a 1-1 draw after leading 1-0.

Before that, the Blues had responded to the Man City defeat by beating Southampton 3-1, winning 1-0 at Brentford in fortunate circumstances, and cruising 7-0 past Norwich and 3-0 past Newcastle on the road. They have scored the second-most goals (27) and have the league’s best defensive record (4 conceded in 11 matches).

Chelsea Team News

Thomas Tuchel is hoping to have strikers Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner available again, at least as substitutes. Kai Havertz is expected to lead the line once again with Callum Hudson-Odoi in support and Mason Mount if he recovers in time after his wisdom teeth surgery.

In midfield, Mateo Kovacic is not expected to be over his hamstring problem but Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s strong form increases options in the engine room. Thiago Silva is not expected to play at center back after his involvement with Brazil in World Cup qualifiers.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea will play to win this match to retain their place at the top of the log. Tuchel will be aware of Jamie Vardy’s pace and preference for the left channel and may set up his side to specifically deal with that threat (in two matches against the Foxes last season, he used Reece James on the right of the back three).

A draw would be seen as a poor result especially after dropping two points in their last match against Burnley.

Key Stats

Leicester have lost 4 of their last 7 home PL matches

Leicester have conceded 15 goals in their last 7 home PL matches

Leicester have seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 8 home PL matches

Chelsea have won 1 of their last 7 PL matches against Leicester (D4, L2)

Chelsea have conceded just 4 goals in 11 PL matches (best record in PL)

CFC have lost 1 of their last 14 away PL matches (W10, D3)

Verdict

Chelsea looks in better form right now and is strong on the road. Leicester has been struggling at the King Power Stadium for a while and leaking goals for fun. I am tipping a Chelsea victory with both teams on target.

Best Bet: Both teams to score at 1.86
Value Bet: Chelsea win and both to score at 3.75
Multiple leg: Chelsea win/draw double chance + over 1.5 goals at 1.58
Correct score tip: Leicester 1-2 Chelsea at 8.25

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis