Chelsea and Leicester City will cross swords at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as both sides desperately look to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League.
After a controversial 2-2 draw with Tottenham in their second game of the season, Thomas Tuchel’s side were poised to respond over the weekend at Elland Road in hopes of taking all three points against Leeds United. Instead, they endured a chastening 3-0 defeat to Jesse Marsch’s Leeds side.
The manner in which Chelsea lost the last game was disappointing and Tuchel will want his side to react in the most positive way possible against Leicester City, who are winless so far.
Chelsea Team News
N’Golo Kante remains sidelined with a hamstring problem. Mateo Kovacic is back, but he might not be risked from the onset against Leicester City. Armando Broja missed the game against Leeds due to an unspecified problem, so he remains a doubt to face Leicester City, while Marcos Alonso remains on the verge of joining Barcelona.
Open training, hard yards at Cobham and much more ahead of #CheLei! 🤝
Chelsea Unseen! ⤵️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2022
Thomas Tuchel will have to do without Kalidou Koulibaly for Leicester City’s visit as the Senegalese defender picked up a second yellow card during the final minutes of the defeat to Leeds.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Leicester City (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Edouard Mendy had a forgettable afternoon in Chelsea’s defeat to Leeds as his awful mistake in the six-yard box allowed Brendon Aaronson to poke home for the hosts’ opener. Tuchel is expected to stick with the Senegalese shot-stopper, providing him with the confidence needed to bounce back this weekend.
Defence
Chelsea were defensively all over the place in the last game which should be a big worry for Tuchel going into Saturday’s home fixture. Plus, he will not be able to call upon Kalidou Koulibaly following his red card, meaning the Blues will have a task cut out to stop Leicester City.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Leicester City
In Koulibaly’s absence, club captain Cesar Azpilicueta could come back into the Chelsea lineup.
Thiago Silva will keep his place in defence as usual. Marc Cucurella could be utilised at left centre-back to accommodate the fit-again Ben Chilwell. Reece James, meanwhile, will keep his place at right wing-back.
Midfield
Conor Gallagher might make way for Ruben Loftus-Cheek after a poor display against Leeds. With N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic still injured, Jorginho becomes an immediate starter in the middle of the park.
Attack
Kai Havertz has had a sluggish start to the new season which could prompt Tuchel to drop him from the Chelsea lineup against Brendan Rodgers’ side. Christian Pulisic may replace Havertz in the team, with the American starting alongside Mason Mount as the two 10s behind Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, Pulisic and Mount will look to combine well in and around the final third and create problems for the Foxes’ backline as Chelsea eye all three points at Stamford Bridge.