Leicester City vs Chelsea: The Premier League returns after the international break with an exciting clash between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium this Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 pm, marking a reunion for Blues manager Enzo Maresca, who led Leicester back into the Premier League last season.
Now, under the guidance of Steve Cooper, Leicester aims to solidify its position in the top flight.
This matchup promises to be a thrilling one, with both teams averaging 1.2 goals per game. However, the contrast in their defensive performances stands out.
Leicester has faced difficulties at the back, conceding an average of 1.8 goals per match. In contrast, Chelsea has been more resilient defensively, allowing only 1.2 goals per game.
The contrast between Leicester’s attacking approach and Chelsea’s more solid defense adds an intriguing layer to the game, making it a crucial encounter for both sides as they look to build momentum in the league after the break.
With both teams eyeing a strong start post-international duty, this match at the King Power promises plenty of action and drama.
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Match Preview – Leicester City vs Chelsea (23 Nov 2024, 1:30 PM WAT)
The reception Enzo Maresca receives at King Power Stadium will likely be a focal point this Saturday.
Despite guiding Leicester City to a Championship title and a Premier League return, his tactical approach didn’t resonate with all fans during challenging stretches of their campaign.
Now at Chelsea, Maresca has showcased his managerial prowess, steering the Blues into an unexpected top-three position in the Premier League standings.
While their superior goal difference edges them past Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Brighton, Chelsea’s recent form has wavered, with just one win from their last four league outings.
However, those winless games included tough battles against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal—a match that ended 1-1 thanks to Pedro Neto’s stellar equalizer.
Chelsea’s attacking consistency on the road has been impressive, with 12 away goals making them the league’s top travelers. Stay with Sports Buddy for key insights shaping this intriguing clash.
Key Team News – Leicester City vs Chelsea
Leicester City
Chelsea aren’t the only side dealing with fitness issues ahead of the weekend, but Leicester City’s situation is far more concerning.
Forward Abdul Fatawu has been ruled out for the season after sustaining an ACL injury while representing Ghana, delivering a major blow to the Foxes’ attacking options.
Leicester also face uncertainty over several key players, with Jamie Vardy (back), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Achilles), and Jordan Ayew (knee) all listed as doubts.
However, there is some relief as Patson Daka is expected to recover from an ankle issue in time to feature.
Defensive absences include Ricardo Pereira, sidelined with a thigh problem, and goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, nursing an ankle injury.
Adding to Leicester’s woes, Facundo Buonanotte will miss the clash due to suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season during the match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Chelsea
Stamford Bridge has seen yet another setback for Reece James, as manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the defender is sidelined with a minor hamstring injury, ruling him out of the trip to Leicester.
James, a regular visitor to the treatment room, continues to endure a streak of bad luck with injuries.
On a brighter note, Maresca revealed that James is the only unavailable player, easing concerns over Romeo Lavia, who seems to have recovered from a hamstring scare.
Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, and Levi Colwill were all spotted back in training, indicating their readiness to rejoin the squad.
Additionally, Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto are expected to be cleared for action after precautionary withdrawals from international duty with France.
Lavia’s return could be particularly critical for Chelsea, given the heavy international workload of midfield stars Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in South America.
Possible Lineups – Leicester City vs Chelsea
Leicester City
Hermansen (GK); Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi, Soumare; El Khannouss, Edouard, Mavididi
Chelsea
Sanchez (GK); Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Head-to-Head – Leicester City vs Chelsea
• 17 Mar 2024 – FA Cup – Chelsea 4-2 Leicester
• 11 Mar 2023 – Premier League – Leicester 1-3 Chelsea
• 27 Aug 2022 – Premier Leagu – Chelsea 2-1 Leicester
• 19 May 2022 – Premier League – Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
• 20 Nov 2021 – Premier League – Leicester 0-3 Chelsea
Current Form – Leicester City vs Chelsea
Leicester City
Last 6 matches of Leicester City:
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Chelsea
Last 6 matches of Chelsea:
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Where To Watch – Leicester City vs Chelsea
You can watch Leicester City Vs Chelsea on all these TV channels:
- Canal+
- DStv Now
- SuperSport Premier League Nigeria
- SuperSport Maximo
- Showmax
- SuperSport Maximo 2
Predicted Winner – Leicester City vs Chelsea
Chelsea heads into this clash as the clear favorite, boasting a commanding 67% chance of victory, underlining their dominance and form.
In contrast, Leicester City faces an uphill battle, with just a 15% probability of staging an upset against the Blues.
Meanwhile, the likelihood of the match ending in a stalemate stands at 18%, offering a slim but plausible scenario for a share of the spoils.
