Preview: All you need to know ahead of Chelsea’s trip to the King Power Stadium this weekend

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League leaders Chelsea returns to league action this weekend with a trip to Leicester City's King Power Stadium looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing one all draw at home to Burnley prior to the international break.

Chelsea fans celebrate with the team during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The Blues had won four straight league games before the match against Sean Dyche men and after the positive build up, including the fact that Burnley had never picked up any point against them in their previous four meetings, an outstanding performance from Nick Pope between the sticks prevented them from adding to their first half lead.

Matej Vydra broke their hearts later in the game as he restored parity for Burnley, meaning the points were shared. On a weekend where the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United failed to win, Thomas Tuchel side could take that as a positive result notwithstanding it was a disappointing one, but they managed to remain top of the standings.

For Leicester City, the poor run continues and they remained without a win in three games in all competitions. Brendan Rodger will know that to take anything away from a match with the European Champions, they will need to improve significantly on what they have been doing recently.

A win for Chelsea and they will establish a six point gap lead at the top of the league standing before Manchester City and West Ham play their games for the week. Should Leicester City win, it will project them from 12th to sixth place, before the other team play their respective games.

It is a very crucial game for both sides and surely the maximum points will be the aim of either. Brendan Rodger side are in an unfamiliar position and this could just be what they need to restore conviction back into the group.

Head to Head

Chelsea have won ten and lost four of their last 19 meetings with Leicester but recent meetings between the two have been pretty even with Chelsea winning just two and losing three times in their last 10 meetings for games ending in 90 minutes.

A Jorginho penalty proved the winner the last time the two met in a game which ended 2-1 at the Stamford Bridge. Goals from Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison condemned Chelsea to a 2-0 defeat in their last visit to the King Power.

Moreso, Chelsea are without a win in their last four league visits to the Leicester City Stadium, all the facts summing up to set up an enthralling contest in East Midlands on Saturday early kickoff.

Team news

Having missed most of the actions last month, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner return to Chelsea training ahead of the clash. Both players, alongside Mason Mount, who withdrawn from the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers have been passed fit for the game.

Matteo Kovacic and Marcos Alonso remain sidelined until the later days the month.

For Leicester City, big blow as Youri Tielemans, who has been their best player so far this season suffered an injury prior to the international break and is expected to sit out of the meeting with Chelsea. James Justin has returned from his long-term injury but will not be rushed back into the first team.

Wesly Fofana, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea continues his recovery from his long-term injury, aiming to be back to full training at the turn of the year while former Chelsea defender, Ryan Bertrand is also another player injured for the host. Marco Albrighton is set to be available.

Verdict

Chelsea have the advantage on papers and they are favourites heading into the contest. Should they be able to hold the bull by the horn, it could be a long afternoon for their host but recent evidence from this fixture has shown that the result could go either way, so maybe a draw could be the most anticipated outcome.

Predicted line-ups

Leicester City: Kasper Schmeichel, Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Castagne, Ndidi, Soumare, Maddison, Barnes, Iheanacho, Vardy.

Chelsea: Mendy, Chilwell, Rudiger, Christensen, Thiago Silva, James, Jorginho, Kanté, Mount, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi.


Afolabi Kehinde Hassan

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