Chelsea welcome Leicester City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League with Thomas Tuchel’s men eyeing a bounce back from their defeat to Leeds United.
The Blues were handed a 3-0 loss by Jesse March’s side last time around with Leeds outclassing a 10-man Chelsea on all fronts to claim a big win on home turf with Chelsea, a side very much in transition amid the rebuilding witnessed this summer under the new owners, looking a pale shadow of their brilliant best out there on the pitch.
Chelsea will hope to pour more misery on an embattled Brendan Rodgers and his players who sit 19th in the league standings three games into the new campaign and have not been at their best ahead of a stern test against Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.
Heading into Saturday’s contest at the Bridge, the transfer saga which involves Leicester’s centre-back Wesley Fofana is tipped to dominate the build-up with Chelsea keen on bringing in the French defender only for Leicester to hold out for an astronomical valuation.
A Leicester backline, which would not have Chelsea’s man in sights Wesley Fofana when the two sides meet, has conceded eight goals in their opening three games and will sure be eyed up by a Chelsea attack that has had it’s fair share of problems early on in the new season with Tuchel’s No.9 option Kai Havertz yet to hit the ground running.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – Saturday 27 August 2022
Time – 3 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
CHELSEA PREMIER LEAGUE FORM
WDL
LEICESTER CITY PREMIER LEAGUE FORM
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TEAM NEWS
Midfield duo N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are concerns on the injury front for Chelsea despite hope for the latter starting on the bench as he works his way to full fitness from a knee injury.
Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended for the game against Leicester after his red card in the defeat to Leeds and this could open the door for Marc Cucurella to slot in the left centre-back role which allows Ben Chilwell’s return to the XI.
In the heart of the midfield, Conor Gallagher looks likely to give way for Ruben Loftus-Cheek who is expected to partner Jorginho.
TEAM NEWS
Kai Havertz vs Jamie Vardy
Chelsea’s front line, barring new boy Raheem Sterling, have failed to put out inspiring displays week in and week out which could up the preassure on the German forward Kai Havertz to get back to his prolific self in the attacking third.
Brendan Rodgers will depend upon dangerman Jamie Vardy to create trouble for the Chelsea defenders with the English striker’s display likely to give his side the edge should he put out a stellar performance.
MATCH PREDICTION
Leicester’s woeful form as of late makes them the underdogs against Chelsea for Saturday’s game with the home side looking for a return to winning ways.
Chelsea 3-1 Leicester City
