Saturday’s Lunchtime kick-off sees English Premier League (EPL) leaders, Chelsea, head to Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Who will play and what will happen?
Chelsea are looking to maintain or increase their three-point advantage at the summit of the EPL table when they head to Leicester City for Saturday’s early kick-off. The Foxes have endured an inconsistent start to the season and currently sit in 12th position, on 15 points.
The Blues from England’s capital were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Burnley in their last encounter, while Brendan Rodgers’s outfit also registered a 1-1 score-line, in their showdown with Leeds United.
Leicester midfielder, Youri Tielemans, had to be substituted due to calf discomfort in the draw with Leeds and was not involved for Belgium during the international break. It remains to be seen if he will be passed fit for this match-up.
Ryan Bertrand and Wesley Fofana also look likely to remain side-lined, but Marc Albrighton and long-term casualty James Justin are both reportedly doing well in their respective recoveries and could return soon.
James Maddison looks the probable beneficiary if Tielemans is absent this week, with Harvey Barnes certain to keep his spot in the starting line-up, after his incredible equaliser at Elland Road.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea have been given three pieces of good news ahead of this game, with Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner all looking likely to be back in contention, after being photographed on the training pitches.
Marcos Alonso is also back in training after recovering from an ankle problem, but Mateo Kovačić is expected to be out for a while.
Ross Barkley was handed a surprise start against Burnley but is certain to drop out if Mount is available again, while Kai Havertz is capable of being the attacking focal point if Lukaku is only considered fit enough for the bench.
The Foxes have been shaky at the back in recent weeks and we expect Chelsea to take full advantage. Our prediction is 2-0, with both goals coming in the second-half for the Londoners.
