Chelsea look to prevail in modern Leicester City grudge match
Chelsea and Leicester kick off the return of the Premier League this weekend and both teams will fancy themselves in what is a modern grudge match.
The Premier League is back, bringing relief to multitudes of football fans across the world. Chelsea and defending champions Leicester City kick off the action, as both teams look to start this next phase positively. With former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri in charge of Leicester and influential ex-Fox, N’Golo Kante, running the midfield for Chelsea, this could have the feeling of a grudge match.
Chelsea v Leicester City, 15th October 2016
Stamford Bridge, Premier League
KO: 12:30 BST, 07:30 ET
TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBCSN (US), find your local TV station here
Team News
In some relieving news, Antonio Conte confirmed on Friday that club captain John Terry is fit again. The defender has been missing since rolling his ankle during Chelsea’s draw with Swansea City. In the meantime, the Blues’ defence have been shambolic, even forcing Conte into a premature switch to a three-man defence.
The boss did not state whether Terry would immediately return to the starting eleven, preferring to keep his cards close to his chest, but most fans will expect him to. Branislav Ivanovic will probably remain on the bench as Cesar Azpilicueta is pushed back out to a wing-back role.
Elsewhere, the trio of Willian, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa functioned well against Hull City. Conte will make changes, though, after Willian was allowed leave following a family grievance. Victor Moses also impressed as a wing-back and having seen off the threat of a ban, he should continue in that slot.
N’Golo Kante should start against the club where he made his name.
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The Opposition
Leicester City have made a mixed start to their Premier League defence. Few people expected the Foxes to be back up there in contention and this is being realised. They currently sit in 12th spot, having won just two of their opening seven leagues games.
However, they have a 100% record in the Champions League, so the Foxes should not be counted out in any way. Ranieri will probably see this fixture as a potential kick-start to their season. A positive result at Stamford Bridge may help them get over the loss of Kante and re-focus their efforts.
Key midfielder Danny Drinkwater played no part with England over the break due to a groin injury, but he may be fit for this game. New signing Nampalys Mendy is not available because of an ankle concern.
Game Central
Predicted XI
Combined XI
Pre-match talking points
Predictions