Chelsea make the trip to take on Leicester City tomorrow night to mark the halfway point of the Premier League season.
The Blues will be looking to build some consistency after their recent dip in form. After defeating Fulham 1-0 on Sunday evening another three points would help them in their quest to climb up the table and break back into the top four.
Team News
Frank Lampard stated in his pre-match press conference that he almost has a fully fit squad to face Leicester. The only absentee is N’Golo Kante, who is no longer suspended but the midfielder is yet to fully recover from his hamstring injury. (chelseafc.com)
Predicted XI
In goal, Edouard Mendy is likely to retain his place. However, it is to be expected that the back four will differ from the one that played against Fulham.
Reece James is odds-on to return at right-back, with Ben Chilwell keeping his place at left-back. While the central defensive partnership of Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma is likely to return.
In midfield, N’Golo Kanté’s absence leaves a huge hole in front of our backline. None of the midfielders available share the same defensive instincts as the Frenchman. However, Billy Gilmour has shown great promise when playing as the lone defensive midfielder. With Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic occupying the two attacking eight positions, there is hope that the energy and creativity of those three can overshadow their defensive mishaps.
Switching to the attack, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech have been fantastic down the wings this season. Both players possess amazing dribbling and passing abilities. In a 4-3-3 formation, the ability to counter-attack quickly is crucial. The speed and creativity of Hudson-Odoi and Ziyech provide us with that.
Down the middle, Tammy Abraham seems likely to start. His strength, speed, energy, and link-up play will surely be needed. The entire team will benefit from his movement.
Full Predicted XI
Mendy
James, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell
Kovacic, Gilmour, Mount
Ziyech, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi
