The Blues are back in Premier League action this weekend as they welcome Leicester City to Stamford Bridge. This crucial match comes just a few days after the Conference League clash with FC Copenhagen which the Blues were able to escape with a narrow 2-1 win against their stubborn hosts.
This match is critical for both sides as Chelsea is looking to bolster their top four hopes with 3 points and some help in goal difference as they are tied with Manchester City in that category and just 3 goals ahead of Bournemouth and Brighton. Chelsea currently sit in 5th place with 46 points but there is just a 6-point difference between third and tenth place in a tight race for the Premier League’s European places.
Last time out in domestic action, the Blues romped to a 4-0 victory against 20th placed Southampton and this weekend they face a Leicester side that has been equally as generous to their opponents. The Foxes have conceded 61 goals in 27 games and are mired in 19th place on just 17 points. Their only hope for survival is to leapfrog Wolverhampton Wanderers who sit tenuously in 17th with 22 points.
There is nothing more dangerous in nature than a cornered animal and this weekend the Blues welcome a team of Foxes that are fighting for their Premier League lives. They are in horrid form with two wins, a draw, and 11 losses since the start of December.
If they are going to turn things around they will want to take advantage of a potentially tired Chelsea coming off a long European trip on Thursday evening. The Blues will have to be ready for a dogfight (or foxfight?) as they welcome Leicester to Stamford Bridge.
How to watch Leicester at Chelsea live, stream link and start time
- Kick off time: 10am ET Sunday
- Venue: Stamford Bridge
- TV Channel: USA
- Streaming: Watch online via NBC.com
Leicester City team news:
Leicester have a largely healthy squad but are still relying on 38 year old Jamie Vardy to score for them as he leads the team with 7 Premier League goals. If Chelsea are able to contain the wily old fox they should be able to win this one comfortably.
OUT: Abdul Fatawu (knee - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Ricardo Pereira (thigh)
Chelsea team news:
Enzo Maresca rolled out a heavily rotated lineup against FC Copenhagen as he had his eye on this fixture coming a few days later. We can expect a more senior team to start the match with Pedro Neto reclaiming his place up top and Enzo Fernandez and Christopher Nkunku to start. Perhaps Tyrique George has earned another selection on the right wing though with two assists in his last two games.
OUT: Noni Madueke (thigh), Nicolas Jackson (thigh), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Omari Kellyman (thigh), Marc Guiu (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Malo Gusto (undisclosed), Romeo Lavia (thigh)
Leicester City vs Chelsea prediction
The Blues were able to handle Southampton comfortably after an initial wobble and we expect them to do the same here against a side that is giving up an average of more than two goals a game in the Premier League. We hope Cole Palmer gets back on the scoresheet but even if not, Chelsea should see this one out with ease in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Chelsea 4-1 Leicester City