Preview
Leicester vs Chelsea Betting Tips, Predictions, and Preview
Saturday, 14/01/2017
King Power Stadium
Leicester City would remain unbeaten in three games should they manage to inflict more damage on Chelsea’s league table lead, who were denied a record 14 match winning record last game-week. Claudio Ranieri faces the challenge to maintain the top-flight status despite winning the title last season. Leicester picked up an encouraging victory at Goodison Park on Saturday, avenging their Boxing Day defeat to the Toffees. Leicester seemed destined for another disappointment when Romelu Lukaku’s close range strike put the hosts ahead. But Leicester substitute Ahmed Musa orchestrated a stunning comeback for the Foxes as the Nigerian struck twice in a span of five minutes to turn the game.
Chelsea got back to winning ways on Sunday when they cruised past Peterborough United to qualify for the fourth round of FA Cup. The Blues made nine changes to their squad but still managed 20 shots on opposition goal at half time. Pedro scored in either halves as Michy Batshuayi and Willian also succeeded to find the target. The match ended 4-1 as Tom Nichols scored a consolation goal for the visitors.
TEAM NEWS
- Chelsea
Nathan Ake might be included in the squad after being recalled from loan at Bournemouth. John Terry will be suspended for the red card against Peterborough. Kourt Zouma is also a viable option for Conte after his return from a long term knee injury.
Suspension: John Terry(3 matches)
- Leicester City
Jamie Vardy should be back in the squad after celebrating the birth of his second child and recovering from illness. Ahmed Musa might expect a place in the starting lineup with Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani being unavailable for AFCON duty.
Doubts: Andy King(illness), Leonardo Ulloa(thigh), Jamie Vardy(illness)
Unavailable: Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani, Daniel Amartey(international duty)
PREDICTION
Leicester have had an awful season so far but they have shown they can still handle the big boys at home as they held Arsenal at King Power and beat Manchester City 4-2. Despite being underdogs, the hosts might salvage something out of this game. Chelsea have struggled in their recent away trips and have won by the narrowest margin at Sunderland and Crystal Palace. Might sound risky, but we believe the Fox’s might snatch a point away from Chelsea.
RECENT FORM
- Chelsea(1st in the league, last 5 matches in all competitions)
4-1(FA Cup, Home, Peterborough United)0-2(Away, Spurs)4-2(Home, Stoke)3-0(Home, Bournemouth)1-0(Away, Crystal Palace)
- Leicester City(15th in the league, last 5 matches in all competitions)
2-1(FA Cup, Away, Everton)0-0(Away, Middlesbrough)1-0(Home, West Ham)0-2(Home, Everton)2-2(Away, Stoke)
HEAD TO HEAD
Total Played | Chelsea wins | Leicester wins | Draws |
108 | 53 | 25 | 30 |
LAST MEETING
15 October, 2016
Stamford Bridge
Premier League
Chelsea 3- Leicester 0
INTERESTING FACTS
- Leicester last 20 home matches against teams above them-9 wins, 3 draws, 8 losses, scored 1.3 goals/game, conceded 1.1 goals/game
- Chelsea last 20 away games against teams below them-13 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses, 1.8 goals scored/game, 1 goal conceded/game
- Leicester have won just one of their last nine Premier League games against Chelsea, though it was this exact fixture last season (D1 L7).
- Indeed, Chelsea have won three of their last four visits in the Premier League to Leicester (L1), with two of those wins masterminded by Claudio Ranieri in 2002 and 2004.
- Despite winning the league last season, Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League win percentage was better at Chelsea (52%) than it currently is at Leicester City (48%).
- Chelsea have not beaten the reigning Premier League champion twice in the same season since 2009/10, a season in which they ended up lifting the trophy.
- Diego Costa has scored in two of his three Premier League games against the Foxes, though both goals have been at Stamford Bridge.
- Costa has had a hand in 11 goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances away from home (nine goals, two assists).
- Chelsea have the best points differential from this season to last after 20 games (+26), while Leicester City have the worst (-19).
- Chelsea’s 49-point tally from 20 Premier League games this season is nine more than Leicester City had at this stage last season in their title winning campaign (40).
- Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have made the fewest changes to their starting XI overall this season (19), although 10 of these have come in the last five matches.
- Conte has not lost two successive league matches away from home as a manager since May 2011 while boss of Serie A side Siena.
- Chelsea won more Premier League games in December (6) than Leicester City have done all season (5).
- 18 of the 21 Premier League points that Leicester City have won this season in the Premier League have come at home (86%).
- The Foxes will be missing three players for this game due to their involvement in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations: Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey, who have provided nine goals and six assists between them in the Premier League this season.