There’s not much to say about last weekend’s defeat at Leeds United. Chelsea was thoroughly outclassed in every aspect of the game, with silly individual mistakes and an overall lack of urgency combining to cause the 3-0 loss. Fortunately for the Blues, the beginning of the 2022/23 Premier League season has been difficult for many of the predicted favorites. There is obviously plenty of time left in the campaign, but Thomas Tuchel and his boys will need to dramatically improve their performances and results if they are to challenge for a spot in Europe next year.
Barring another dramatic scoreline in either direction, the headlines against Leicester City have already been written off the pitch. Numerous outlets are reporting that Chelsea has struck a deal with the Foxes for defender Wesley Fofana, a transfer that has been churning in the rumor mill since the window opened. The 21-year-old will hopefully bring vitality and intensity to an aging Blues back line for the foreseeable future, but he clearly won’t be gracing the pitch on Saturday. I’m genuinely nervous for the former European Champions though with Kalidou Koulibaly sidelined due to his red card against Leeds. Another embarrassing defeat could be disastrous.
Here is your gambling guide to Chelsea’s Premier League showdown with Leicester City on Saturday
While Chelsea’s deficiencies at the back have been emphatic and well-documented, the Foxes have quietly been the worst defensive team in the English top flight through the first three matchweeks. They have already conceded eight goals, half of which came at the hands of the young, dynamic Arsenal attack, despite employing five defenders in two of their three matches. I expect to see goals, and a lot of them, flying in at both ends of the pitch. The both teams to score prop (-120 odds) is looking pretty good to me for this reason.
I’ve also been monitoring the over/under number closely in the build-up to this contest. The oddsmakers on different books have clearly been torn on raising the goal total to 3.5 from its normal 2.5, as the number has been fluctuating throughout the week. The common money seems to have settled on the usual, though, as the odds are set closest to even at 2.5 goals with -160 on the over and +130 on the under. I’ve already predicted a high-scoring match, so I’m definitely leaning toward the over, as it currently stands. For those looking to take a bigger risk, over 3.5 goals is decent value at +155 odds, as well.
Official odds (via DraftKings as of August 26)
Chelsea ML: -240
Leicester City ML: +650
Draw: +380
Over/Under: 2.5 (-160/+130)
My picks
My hot start to the season was slowed slightly after only hitting on the Mason Mount shots on target prop against Leeds, but avoiding any winless games has been important so far. I also really liked the abundance of options provided by DraftKings, so I’m sticking with that particular book for my bets against the Foxes.
I’m riding with the both teams to score prop (-120) as I mentioned earlier and I will officially select over 2.5 goals (-160) as my second pick. Finally, I’ll chase the plus juice and take Chelsea to score in both halves at +110 odds. The Blues have only done this twice in their previous five Premier League matches dating back to last season, but I’m hoping the forwards can contribute for a full 90 minutes. They need the win, and so do us gamblers.
What are some of the best you’ll make ahead of the match? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!