MX23RW : Monday, December 16 05:14:07| >> :120:25512:25512:
[monks data]
Chelsea logo
Premier League
Aug 23, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Leicester logo

2-0

Costa (62'), Hazard (77')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Chelsea vs. Leicester City

Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between early-season title-favourites Chelsea and newly-promoted Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will face a second newly-promoted side in the space of five days on Saturday when they welcome Leicester City to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues put down a Premier League title marker with their 3-1 away victory over Burnley earlier this week.

They fell behind on 13 minutes but were imperious from thereon in, delivering a performance that justifies their status as pre-season championship favourites.

A debut goal for Diego Costa and a majestic man-of-the-match display from fellow summer signing Cesc Fabregas added to the positives that Jose Mourinho can take from Chelsea's opening-day win.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson will also be quite pleased with how his side started the campaign as they drew 2-2 with Everton at the King Power Stadium.

The 2013-14 Championship winners twice came from behind to gain a valuable point on their return to the top flight, against a side who are expected to be challenging for the top four.

Danny Drinkwater was a casualty of their efforts against the Toffees and could miss the encounter in the capital. Dean Hammond is on standby to partner Andy King in the centre of the park.

There are also fitness doubts over Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy, who has recently signed a new four-year deal with the Foxes, while Matthew Upson remains sidelined by a foot injury.

Chris Wood's late equaliser against Everton may not be enough to earn him a starting berth, with Pearson likely to persist with David Nugent alongside record signing Leonardo Ulloa, who netted on his Premier League debut.

On the opposing substitutes' bench will be Petr Cech, who saw his nine-year run as Chelsea's number-one goalkeeper ended on Monday when Mourinho gave the nod to Thibaut Courtois.

Reports have suggested that Cech will now seek to leave Stamford Bridge before the end of the transfer window, but Mourinho is keen to keep hold of the 32-year-old.

Filipe Luis, who joined the Blues from Atletico Madrid for £16m this summer, may also have to settle for a place on the bench again, with Cesar Azpilicueta retaining the left-back berth.

Some good news for Luis this week was his recall to the Brazil squad, and his international compatriot Ramires is back in contention for Chelsea after serving a suspension carried over from last term.

The Londoners have won their last six matches against Leicester and scored 20 goals in the process.

Recent form

Chelsea: W

Leicester: D

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Costa

Leicester: Schmeichel; De Laet, Moore, Morgan, Konchesky; Mahrez, Hammond, King, Knockaert; Ulloa, Nugent

Sports Mole says: 3-0


ID:172316: cacheID:172316:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7112:
Written by
Joe Fish
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City celebrates scoring his goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton at the King Power Stadium on August 16, 2014
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Leicester 2-2 Everton - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!