Chelsea vs Leicester 13/01/2018

13 Jan 2018

It is a battle of the past and present EPL champions. And it represents another opportunity for Leicester hotshot Jamie Vardy to prove that he has the scoring credentials.

Since August 2014, no other player other than Vardy has scored more EPL goals against against “big six” opposition – the two Manchesters, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea that is. He has 22 goals in 41 combined appearances against them.

Chelsea have lost only one of their last 11 EPL meetings with Leicester, but will be concerned with their form in the past ten days where they have played to three straight draws, two of which were goalless in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

New signing Ross Barkley has been training with Chelsea’s first team but this match will be too early for the midfielder, who has only just returned from a seven-month injury layoff.
Eden Hazard recovered from a calf knock to play against Arsenal in midweek, and looks good to continue. Gary Cahill will likely return after being given a full rest against Arsenal and Conte might be tempted to turn back to 3-4-3 which puts an extra forward on the pitch.

Tiemoue Bakayoko may return for Danny Drinkwater, who has started the last two games for Chelsea.

As for the Foxes, captain Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson both have hamstring injuries and are rated 50-50. Robert Huth is also unlikely to start against his former paymasters.