Date: Saturday 20th
November 2021
Venue: King Power Stadium
Kick-off: 12:30 BST
Today’s early game marks the start of a difficult run, with Juventus and
United both coming up. Today though, its away to Leicester City in the early
kick-off.
We didn’t go into the international break with the best result in the world, but we did still go into it top of the table. We were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley last time out in a game we completely dominated but were caught napping for a split second. We’d do well to remember that’s all it takes, particularly when our defence will be up against Jamie Vardy.
12th place Leicester City also drew in their last Premier League game, against Leeds, and they come into today’s game with just two wins in their last eight games, so they’ll be looking to get themselves on track again in the league. Unfortunately, we can be a bit benevolent when teams want to get their season going.
I expected a tough game against Burnley and in the end, the result was
the only hard thing about it. I’m definitely expecting a difficult one today
and with just one win in the last 7 against the Foxes, a tough start to the day
is probably a fair bet.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, says “It’s a big challenge because they’re a fantastic
team. Thomas has got them organised and working well. They have an outstanding
manager and an incredible squad of players who have the confidence of winning a
big title. They can bring players in and it doesn’t make a difference. The
level is really high tactically and technically. When you play the big teams,
you need to be at the top of your game, you need to be relentless in your work,
and you need a bit of luck as well. We’ll be ready for it.”
Thomas Tuchel meanwhile,
says “It is a top club, a top
team and a top coach. I expect a tough one. I expect also Chelsea team, our
team, to play with hunger and passion, with the purpose to win. This is the
mindset which we want to install again to restart winning and restart our
engine after the international breaks. I am the first time there. I played them
twice, once at Wembley and once at Stamford Bridge. Everyone tells me this is a
tough place to play up but we are up for it.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Leicester, Youri Tielemans (calf),
Wesley Fofana and Ryan Bertrand are all injured and James Justin isn’t yet
ready to return. Marc Albrighton is fit again.
For Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic (thigh) is expected to remain out, Romelu
Lukaku (ankle), Marcos Alonso (ankle) and Timo Werner (thigh) are back in
training, and Mason Mount may be available following dental surgery.
TEAMS
LEICESTER (Possible
line-up): Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Castagne;
Ndidi, Soumare; Lookman, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy
CHELSEA (Possible
line-up): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James,
Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Hudson-Odoi, Mount; Havertz
CURRENT FORM (PL)
LEICESTER: DDWWLD
CHELSEA: LWWWWD
LAST SEASON
Leicester 2-0 Chelsea
(19th January 2021)
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea have won once in the last 7 meetings with Leicester
- Leicester won this fixture last season.
- Leicester have won just two of their past eight league fixtures.
- Chelsea have won three consecutive away games in the league without
conceding.
- Leicester have kept only one clean sheet in 17 league games.
- Chelsea have conceded just one goal away from home this season.
- Leicester have suffered 11 top-flight home defeats since the beginning
of last season
- Chelsea have 15 different goalscorers in the league this season.
PREDICTION
BBC Sport: Leicester 1-1 Chelsea
Sportsmole: Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
