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Chelsea FC vs Leicester: team news, prediction and stats

By Ollie Browning

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City gets away from Cesc Fabregas and Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City gets away from Cesc Fabregas and Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December 14, 2015 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea FC welcome newly crowned Premier League champions Leicester City to Stamford Bridge this Sunday, as the curtain falls for the final time to end a disappointing season.

Unusually for Chelsea FC, there is nothing to play for this weekend, but a win would ensure that the Blues finish in ninth place, holding off Stoke City who currently sit just a point behind in 10th. Visitors Leicester City, who were confirmed as Premier League champions a few weeks ago following Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham, will be in high spirits as they look to round off a spectacular season in style.

When these two teams met at the King Power Stadium last December, Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by the home side who made a statement to the rest of the league. That game was also Jose Mourinho’s final one in charge. It’s now five months later and the Foxes have wrapped up the title, so expect a party atmosphere in the away end. The Blues will be hoping to spoil the party and can do so by playing in a similar fashion to last season, when goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea three points at home against City.

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Team News

Chelsea will be without captain John Terry, who is serving the final game of his suspension after picking up his second red card of the season against Sunderland last week. Should he not accept the new contract that has just been tendered, the most successful player in the club’s history will not get the Stamford Bridge sendoff both he and the fans had hoped for. There are still a number of injury concerns for the Blues as well, with Willian likely to miss out after picking up a hamstring injury. Both Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic are unlikely to be risked in the final game.

This means there is a good chance Guus Hiddink will look to his youth to inspire the side, with Bertrand Traore likely to start in place of Costa as he did on Wednesday against Liverpool. Eden Hazard seems to be back in form, so he should also start against the Foxes.

Leicester will be without only one first team player. Former Chelsea defender Robert Huth is banned for the trip, but midfielder Danny Drinkwater returns after completing his. Jamie Vardy will probably start after suffering from cramps last Saturday, as he chases the golden boot.

Stats

With a win, Chelsea could end this season with a positive record (they have currently won 12, drawn 13 and lost 12 of their games).

The Blues have only won one of their last six league games and have gone three league matches without a victory for the first time under Hiddink.

Only Aston Villa have won fewer home matches than Chelsea this season.

Leicester could equal their top-flight club record of 12 matches without defeat, set in 1963 and 1973.

Next: Evaluating Chelsea FC’s rumoured transfer moves

Prediction

Chelsea 2-2 Leicester City.

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