Prediction: Leicester vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 9/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Marking their return from November’s international break on Saturday lunchtime, Chelsea will travel to the King Power when they meet Leicester.

Leicester

Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have claimed back-to-back Premier League victories on either side of October’s international break, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for Steve Cooper’s squad. Although the Foxes might have stormed their way to an immediate Premier League return for this season, they do have a battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their top flight status. Heading into the fortnight interval with a routine 3-0 drumming away at Manchester United, the former Nottingham Forest boss should be bracing himself for another stern examination this weekend. Crashing out of the EFL Cup on October 30th as they fell to an action-packed 5-2 defeat at Old Trafford, Leicester have shown some extended issues at the back. Putting just a pair of Premier League victories on the board from any of their first 11 showdowns, Cooper’s side are looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap.

Team News

Shown what was a costly booking against Manchester United prior to the fortnight interval, Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte will serve a one-match suspension here. Still waiting to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season, former Salzburg striker Patson Daka remains a doubt on Saturday lunchtime.

While attacking talisman Jamie Vardy might have missed out at Old Trafford last time out, the veteran striker will return to Cooper’s squad. Despite arriving from Tottenham on a permanent basis over the summer, Oliver Skipp will likely settle for a spot on the bench this weekend.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have only appointed new boss Enzo Maresca over the summer, they have continued on a real rise under the former Leicester boss. Pencilled in as a leading contender to book a lucrative Champions League return this season, the Blues have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across Europe. Heading into November’s fortnight break with a 1-1 stalemate at home against historic rivals Arsenal, Saturday’s guests have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first 11 Premier League appearances. Signing off October with a 2-1 win against Newcastle, Chelsea will be looking to lay down another domestic statement this weekend. Travelling to the King Power sat third in the table and with the mood around Stamford Bridge at a red-hot high, Maresca will be confident on getting one over on his former employers here. Landing an action-packed 4-2 win when they last met Leicester back on March 17th, the Blues will be seeking a repeat performance this weekend.

Team News

In what could prove to be a real boost for Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, the Blues are expected to welcome back former Manchester United star Jadon Sancho. Despite arriving in west London on a permanent basis over the summer, Portugal international Joao Felix will likely settle for a spot on the bench.

While Cole Palmer might have withdrawn from the England squad last week, Chelsea’s attacking talisman is expected to feature here. Recording nine direct Premier League goal contributions from his first 11 appearances, Nicolas Jackson will lead the line this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Leicester and Chelsea last met back on March 17th, Saturday’s guests collected a pulsating 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge.
• In fact, Chelsea have won each of their last three showdowns against the Foxes by an aggregate score of 9-4.
• Leicester have won just a pair of their first 11 Premier League appearances so far this season.
• The Foxes have conceded 12 goals in their last four matchups against Premier League opposition.
• Each of the last four meetings between Leicester and Chelsea have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Marking their return from November’s international break sat in the driving seat to book a Champions League ticket, Chelsea should be relishing their return on Saturday lunchtime. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their first 11 Premier League appearances, Maresca will be looking to get one over on his former employers here. Landing an action-packed 4-2 victory when they last met Leicester back on March 17th and winning each of their previous three meetings by an aggregate score of 9-4, we are backing an enjoyable away victory this weekend.

Verdict: Chelsea win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 9/5

Bookmaker: Luckster