Prediction: Leicester vs Chelsea

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League returns this weekend in the final stretch before we enter the newly formed winter break. Many clubs will be hoping to build up a little bit of momentum before that, with two such examples being Leicester City and Chelsea. While they may occupy third and fourth place in the top flight of English football neither seems to be in any kind of hurry to get a run going, probably because their nearest competitors continue to slip up on a week to week basis.

Leicester

The Foxes are still reeling from their Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Aston Villa, with many believing they would’ve had a good chance in the final had they been able to progress. Still, things could be a lot worse for Brendan Rodgers’ men who find themselves in the fifth round of the FA Cup to go alongside an unbelievable Premier League campaign thus far. With a win here, they can almost certainly start planning for life back in the Champions League.

Team News

Amartey and Mendy have already been ruled out for this one with Matty James being a doubt, whereas Vardy is set to return and Ndidi is just about back to full fitness.

Chelsea

Life under Frank Lampard has been ‘good enough’ in the first half of the season, which is odd, because logically speaking, it’s been much better than that. They’re fourth in the Premier League, they’re into the fifth round of the FA Cup and they’re in the Round of 16 in the Champions League. However, there’s been a stagnant nature to the way they’ve played in the last few months that has many wondering whether or not they’ll wind up running out of juice down the stretch.

Team News

Abraham, James and Giroud all face a race to be fit in time for the game with Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek already been ruled out alongside van Ginkel. Tomori, on the other hand, could get the nod after a strong display against Hull.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in August, Leicester and Chelsea drew 1-1.
• Leicester have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Chelsea have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Leicester have scored nine goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
• Chelsea have scored 10 goals and conceded five in their last six games.

Conclusion

Neither team has really been putting on too much of a show over the course of the last few week and we suspect that’s us putting it lightly. Chelsea are happy to play the possession game and try to hit on the counter, but against a team as well-oiled as Leicester, we think they’ll have to be a little bit less conservative than that. We can see both top four contenders getting on the scoresheet but in terms of getting the win, they’ll both be left feeling like it’s two points dropped.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: bet365