It’s the clash of two Italian managers as Chelsea face last years champions Leicester City at Stamford Bridge in tomorrow’s lunch time kick off.
With the international break being over Antonio Conte’s men come into the game after a 2-0 win against Hull City two weeks ago.
TEAM NEWS
The big new is John Terry has recovered from an ankle injury he suffered against Swansea and is now ready for selection.
Antonio Conte wants to continue to play three at the back and Branislav Ivanovic is expected to miss out having been dropped for the win over Hull.
Willian is away on compassionate leave after the death of his mother.
As for Leicester Claudio Ranieri is hoping Danny Drinkwater can pass a late fitness test and feature at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian is already without midfielder Papy Mendy who has been unable to shake off an ankle problem he first suffered back in August
PREDICTED LINE UPS
Chelsea XI: Courtois; Luiz, Terry, Cahill; Azpilicueta, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Moses, Hazard, Costa.
Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy.
WHAT CONTE SAID
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte on changing his defence:
“It was necessary to find a new solution.
“It wasn’t right that a great team like Chelsea conceded so many goals in every game.
“Now I have four central defenders and I have to take the decision for three.
“One must go on the bench!”
MATCH FACTS
- Chelsea are without a win in their last two Premier League meetings with Leicester (W0 D1 L1), after winning the six before that.
- Leicester have registered just one win in their 10 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge (D3 L6), with that win coming in September 2000 via a 2-0 scoreline.
- This will be Claudio Ranieri’s third top-flight clash with Chelsea, with each of those meetings coming against a different manager (2-1 v Mourinho, 1-1 v Hiddink and this game against Conte).
- Cesc Fabregas has netted three goals in Chelsea last two meetings with Leicester in all competitions, including a brace in a 4-2 EFL Cup win for the Blues in September.
- Leicester City have lost on just one of their last five top-flight trips to London (W3 D1 L1), this after losing 17 and drawing three of their previous 20.
- Leicester City have lost all three of their away league games this season. The last reigning top-flight champions to lose their opening four away games of the season were Blackburn in 1995-96 (also Liverpool in 1964-65 – 4, and Arsenal in 1953-54 – 4).
- Jamie Vardy has averaged a goal every 281 minutes in the Premier League this season (two goals in seven games), a significant drop from 2015/16’s 131 mins per goal average (24 goals in 36 games).
- Since he joined Chelsea in July 2014, only Sergio Aguero (55) and Harry Kane (48) have scored more Premier League goals than Diego Costa (38).
- Eight of Chelsea’s last 13 top-flight games at Stamford Bridge have ended in a draw (W3 L2).
- Excluding penalties, Chelsea are one of just two sides yet to score a goal from a set-piece situation this season (also Sunderland).
Statistics courtesy of Opta
LAST TIME THEY MET
In this fixture last season Leicester arrived in west London as newly-crowned champions.
Chelsea had actually handed the Foxes the title by holding title rivals Tottenham to a 2-2 draw a fortnight earlier.
Neither side had much to play for and played out a drab 1-1 draw with Cesc Fabregas scoring a penalty and Drinkwater replying with five minutes to go.
CAN I WATCH IT ON TV?
Yes the match will be televised on Sky Sports in the UK.
WHEN IS THE MATCH?
Kick off is at 12:30 on Saturday if you’re in the UK.
PREDICTION
Chelsea 2-0 Leicester