Chelsea vs Leicester | Saturday 27 August | Stamford Bridge | 16:00
Proud English clubs collide in the Capital on Saturday afternoon. Neither necessarily enjoying their start to the domestic season after rocky starts – but that won’t deter the fight and relatively new rivalry that has become apparent in this fixture.
It should be another fiery installment and I’m certainly here for it!
To Win (90 mins)
Chelsea 4/10
Draw 4/1
Leicester 13/2
Chelsea
Chelsea, who have spent more than 170 million quid on players during the summer window, were the architects of their own demise against a spirited Leeds side on Sunday.
Edouard Mendy uncharacteristically practically gave Leeds the lead early on, miscontrolling a fairly straightforward back pass. Raheem Sterling who has looked lively this season so far was the cause for a Leeds free kick on the edge of the box which gave Rodrigo his fourth goal for the season. Chelsea obviously then went on to concede a third and lost the game 3-0 – but for me the disappointment of the day was the lack of fight evident from an already proven, fighting manager!
Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off close to full-time, arguably showing his naivety for life in the Premier League. Chelsea was crestfallen, second-best at 50-50 situations and just couldn’t match the intensity that Leeds looked to employ at Elland Road, writes Ryan Liberty.
Thomas Tuchel suggesting they were the better side in many media publications is laughable – only to the extent that a manager of his caliber could not surely be serious? His side were outplayed and reduced to cowardice against the backdrop of a difficult situation.
Tuchel might be wondering whether his side require more signings to fix the complications on display from Sunday. This is a narrative I’ve found to gain more traction in the aftermath of the game…but admittedly its likely a little premature. The fact does remain though – against Spurs the battle and fighting character has been credited with them earning a league point…a week later a lack of fight and character led to their embarrassment.
Anyway, who am I? Surely this is just a bad day at the office? Blue could still be the colour and football the game this weekend!
Leicester
James Maddison has been flying so far this season, and yet in truth it should be said that is the case despite Leicester’s performances. Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Wesley Fofana was not in the right state of mind amid talks with Chelsea – and so the defender was resigned to the stands for the game.
His absence was surely missed though, the Foxes failed to deal with balls being played into those half-spaces asking for an aerial dual between striker and defender. The defeat increased pressure on Rodgers, he’s seen his side lose five points from winning positions already this season…funny enough the last time they did this they were crowned champions by the end of the season!
I must say Leicester are frustrating to get behind in the betting markets…they blow hot and cold. They look really menacing for large parts of the game only to come up short and often lack that killer instinct when they are able to claim all three points.
Rodgers is a quality football coach; one I would be patient with and back handsomely in the market. My only point of confusion is where a player doesn’t want to be at the club and yet the management want to hang on…I say cash in and invest elsewhere.
Chelsea is probably the better side, but I think the confidence to back them here is largely rooted in the fact that Leicester can’t seem to buy a victory lately.
Predicted Line-up:
- Chelsea: Mendy; Cucurella, Silva, James; Chillwell, Jorginho, Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek; Mount, Havertz, Sterling.
- Leicester: Ward; Castagne, Evans, Amartey, Justin; Drewsbury-Hall, Ndidi, Maddison; Perez, Vardy, Barnes.
Prediction:
- Chelsea and Both Teams To Score (2/1)
I think defensively Chelsea might be a little vulnerable this weekend. Leicester could be given a couple chances in that regard but without the killer-instinct required at this level, I still cannot get behind them to claim all three points.
I think they score, but Chelsea wins here and likely with a statement performance. At the price available, I think this could be a banker bet option.
