Premier
League title favourites Chelsea welcome newly-promoted Leicester City to
Stamford Bridge on Saturday hoping to cement top spot.
The Blues impressed after falling behind to new boys Burnley on Monday
night, and the manner in which they responded earned Jose Mourinho’s men the
plaudits.
Diego Costa silenced many of the doubters by getting off the mark early on,
while fellow new arrival Cesc Fabregas earned the man-of-the-match award for
his midfield domination.
However, on none of the previous three instances when Chelsea have been top
after the opening day (1999, 2008, 2010) have they gone on to win the title
– a run Mourinho will be keen to put right.
That victory back in 2000 will give fans hope, but that is the only win out
of eight trips to west London for the Foxes.
Leicester’s away form last season was impressive. They won 14 of their 23
away games in the Championship, three more than any other side, but this is
a different prospect altogether, and a return of any points at all will be a
huge achievement.
Team news
Thibaut Courtois is expected to retain his place in goal against Leicester
having got the nod over Petr Cech at Turf Moor.
The returning Didier Drogba should be fit to start if required having made
his second debut for the club on Monday night.
Filipe Luis, who joined the Blues from Atletico Madrid for £16m this summer,
may also have to settle for a place on the bench again, with Cesar
Azpilicueta retaining the left-back berth.
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson hopes Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton could
be fit for the trip to Chelsea.
Striker Vardy (thigh) and winger Albrighton (groin) may return for the
Stamford Bridge clash, which will come too soon for Danny Drinkwater
(hamstring) and Matty James (shin).
Summer signing Matthew Upson (foot) is still a couple of weeks short of a
return.
Paul Merson's prediction:
Chelsea were slick on Monday night. Usually a team takes about five games to
click, but they were all singing off the same hymn sheet straight away at
Burnley. There was nobody on Radio Luxembourg on that day, they were all on
the same wavelength. If they get going against Leicester they could win 4-0
or 5-0 because you can’t stop that passing and moving. Leicester had a great
result against Everton, but the thing is they played very well and still let
in two goals. I won’t go mad and predict a hiding because Chelsea sometimes
switch it off after a while, but I will go for a comfortable 2-0.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Opta facts
Chelsea won neither of their final two Premier League home games in 2013-14
(D1 L1).
Cesc Fabregas has assisted 50 goals in his last 104 Premier League
appearances.
The Foxes’ last away defeat in the league came last December v Brighton.
Chelsea won four Barclays Premier League games in a row against Leicester
before the Foxes were relegated in 2004.
Leicester got underway with a hard-fought draw against Everton on Saturday,
and the resilience the Foxes showed in twice coming from behind gives them a
fighting chance at Stamford Bridge – a ground where they have earned a
Premier League victory before.
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