Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-0
Odds:6/1
Bookmaker:Bet365
Claude Puel’s Leicester City travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon to do battle with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.
The Blues meanwhile will be aiming to get back to winning ways after only managing to battle to three consecutive draws in recent weeks.
Chelsea
Whilst Antonio Conte’s men have not managed to notch their first victory of 2018 yet, the champions have been in exemplary form. Their only loss within their last 17 games came in the form of a 1-0 defeat to local rivals West Ham United at the start of December. Last drawing 2-2 with Arsenal in league action, the Blues will be keen to get back on track with their maiden win of the year after slipping to third in the Premier League table.
One aspect that will give Conte’s troops considerable confidence is their imperious form at Stamford Bridge. The team have not fallen to defeat on home soil since Manchester City’s 1-0 victory at the end of September. The champions have won their last seven league games at Stamford Bridge, the last being a 5-0 thumping of relegation-threatened Stoke City. As a matter of fact, Chelsea have only conceded four goals within their last ten home games in all competitions, including none in their last three so Leicester will have to find a route past that tough rear-guard if they are to attain any sort of result.
Team News
Chelsea only have one injury to worry about for the visit of the 2015/16 champions. New signing Ross Barkley is still recovering from a hamstring injury so will not be able to play a part.
Leicester City
The Foxes definitely have a tough test as they travel to the capital, especially considering their recent form. Claude Puel’s men have only won once in their last seven games, but that did come in their last Premier League game as they dismissed of Huddersfield Town 3-0 at the King Power Stadium. Their last win away from home in Premier League action came in mid-December with the 4-1 hammering of Southampton at St Mary’s.
If they are to get a result at Stamford Bridge however, they do need to get to grips with defending their own goal. The Foxes have conceded 18 goals in only 11 games on the road and have only managed to keep one clean away from the King Power Stadium – the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth back in September. Despite the Foxes’ away record not being the worst in the Premier League, they have lost their last two away games to Watford and Liverpool by the same 2-1 score-line.
Team News
Leicester boss Claude Puel has revealed that Foxes striker Jamie Vardy has recovered so is set to play a part. Christian Fuchs, who was struggling with illness is also set to join back up with the Foxes. Midfielder Vicente Iborra, who was also missing from the last match-day squad is free to play again. However defensive trio Robert Huth, Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson are all missing through respective problems.
Key Facts To Consider
- Chelsea have the far better record between the two sides (W55, D30, L25)
- Leicester have only ever won five times at Stamford Bridge throughout their history
- The Foxes have lost their last four games against the Blues in all competitions, conceding 12 goals in the process
- Chelsea won the last clash between the two at Stamford Bridge 3-0
- The Foxes have only scored two Premier League goals at Stamford Bridge in the last 15 years
Conclusion
It really does look to be a massive test for the Foxes against Antonio Conte’s men. Considering Chelsea’s recent form in the Premier League and Leicester’s frankly horrific record at Stamford Bridge, it should be a relatively straight-forward afternoon for the Blues.
Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-0
Odds:6/1
Bookmaker:Bet365
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