Chelsea make the travels to the Midlands on Saturday as Graham Potter’s side hope to continue their winning ways to climb up the league table.
Many are of the opinion that two wins on the run might have just kept Potter in the Chelsea top job for another few weeks but the Englishman’s future at the Bridge remains a hot topic in the Premier League managerial landscape.
Tuesday night’s 2-0 success over their German opponents Borussia Dortmund meant that Chelsea advanced 2-1 on aggregate to the last eight of the Champions League much to the delight of the Blues supporters who have seen their side endure an underwhelming campaign this term.
Looking to secure three successive matches in all competitions for the first time since October last year, Potter’s Chelsea have a stern test awaiting them next in the shape of Leicester City, who like the Blues, have found wins hard to come by in the new calendar year.
Brendan Rodger’s side were handed a 1-0 defeat by basement side Southampton last time out as the visitors to the south coast failed to capitalise on their 65% possession to create meaningful chances in the final third of the pitch.
Leicester remain just two points clear of the drop zone and an unfavourable run of results could further complicate matters for the Foxes whose ambitions of a top-half spot are under threat with a ten-point gap separating them.
Chelsea, meanwhile, could be savoring a trip to the King Power Stadium this weekend to pile more misery upon Leicester who failed to score in four of their last six Premier League games on home turf and have not had a shot on target in their last two league outings
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – Saturday 11 March 2023
Time – 2 PM GMT
Venue –King Power Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Midfield maestro N’Golo Kante may not be considered for selection against his former side with the Frenchman’s fitness levels of concern to Graham Potter for the remainder of the season.
An abdominal issue kept playmaker Mason Mount out of last weekend’s win over Leeds and it remains to be seen whether the England international returns to the squad for the upcoming contest.
Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta could be another senior player left on the sidelines for the Leicester clash following his head injury against Southampton as Potter is expected to give more time to the veteran defender to recover.
Thiago Silva, Armando Broja and Edouard Mendy are long-term injury absentees for Chelsea and will not play any part in Saturday’s trip to the Midlands.
KEY BATTLE
James Maddison vs Raheem Sterling
Maddison’s future at Leicester beyond this summer is subject to much talk of late and with Chelsea tipped to be one of the Premier League bigwigs keeping tabs on him, the Englishman will look to make a great impression when he faces them on Saturday.
Chelsea’s summer signing Sterling was on the scoresheet in midweek’s win over Dortmund and the winger is tipped for another solid outing to steer his side to winning ways.
MATCH PREDICTION
Leicester and Chelsea have both failed to hit the ground running this season and we predict Saturday’s encounter to finish in a draw.
Leicester City 1-1 Chelsea
