HomeTeams - PLChelseaLeicester City vs Chelsea Preview | Team News, Key Men & Stats

Leicester City vs Chelsea Preview | Team News, Key Men & Stats

On paper this may seem like a complete mismatch. Chelsea are visiting the King Power stadium on Wednesday night with the Premier League title within touching distance. Leicester City meanwhile just climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since November. However, if we look at the two sides form in the last 6 game there is surprisingly not much difference. Both Chelsea and Leicester City have managed 4 wins in their last 6. While Chelsea have drew 2 of their last 6, Leicester City have drawn and loss one game in the same run. If Chelsea can pick up 3 points in Leicester on Wednesday evening then they will head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday knowing that a win against Crystal Palace will secure the title for them. Leicester City will remain out of the relegation zone no matter what happens on Wednesday. Anything Nigel Pearson and his side can pick up against Chelsea will be a consolation no doubt as it is hard to imagine they have the visit of the champions elect earmarked for points needed to stay up. What Leicester will bring is the intensity they have brought to their games in recent weeks. With the fight for their safety still very much on you can expect them to go about their business as they have because with the momentum they have now they will not want to slow it down.

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Team News

The home side have put themselves in a position where they do not have to win against the champions elect on Wednesday to aid their safety. Nigel Pearson said that Jamie Vardy had an injection in his foot prior to the Burnley match, as a result they will assess if they want to win the Chelsea game and if so play Jamie Vardy if not they could rest him for other games with more chance of a win. The foxes boss confirmed that Jeffrey Schlupp is injured for the visit or Chelsea and that they need to assess striker David Nugent who has missed out through injury in recent fixtures.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho confirmed after the draw at Arsenal that striker Loic Remy will continue to miss out with injury when the side visits Leicester on Wednesday. The blues boss also said that Oscar will need to be assessed after he was taken to hospital after his collision with Arsenal keeper David Ospina during the Sunday game. Good news for Chelsea is that star forward Diego Costa could return to the side for the Leicester City game having missed the last 3 fixtures due to a hamstring injury.

Interesting Statistics

The last time the two sides met in Leicester was 11 years ago. Chelsea ran out 4-0 winners with goals from; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Adrian Mutu, Celestine Babayaro and an OG from Nikolaos Dabizas.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the top goalscorer in this Premier League fixture with 5 goals for Chelsea against Leicester City.

Leicester City’s top scorer in the fixture is Muzzy Izzet with 4 goals against Chelsea.

In 46 games at home against Chelsea, Leicester City have managed 19 victories. Chelsea have managed 10 wins away at Leicester.

Chelsea have won their last 7 games against Leicester City

The last time Leicester City managed to beat Chelsea was a 2-1 victory at home back in February 2001.

First ever meeting of the two teams was back in September 1905. Chelsea won 1-0 away at Leicester in the then second division.

Key Players

Leicester City – Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel has had 3 clean sheets so far this season, two of which have been in his last 5 games since returning from injury. What is more is that since Schmeichel’s return to the side Leicester have won 4 of the 5 matches. It may not be a coincidence that Leicester’s miraculous change in form coincides with their first choice keepers return. The former Manchester City keeper has played a major part in Leicester’s success in recent years including their promotion to the Premier League. It is no surprise that he is now playing a major role in helping them to safety and securing anotheryears stay in the Premier League. Against a team like Chelsea it is likely that Leicester’s defence could be under constant siege meaning that if they are to get anything from the match up they will need their keeper to be on top of his game. Kasper Schmeichel is a keeper capable of meeting that occasion head on and helping his team.

Chelsea – John Terry

There is no one player that represents Chelsea more so than their captain John Terry. The Chelsea skipper has proven this year his worth with his outstanding contributions to his sides backline. When many had doubted his place in the side due to his age he has proven himself to be untouchable in terms of that Chelsea centre back spot. His bravery, intensity and ability to win the ball cannot be underestimated in terms of importance in this title run. Terry has lead by example and set an example to all those who play around him. At this point when the title is pretty much inches from their reach expect the experience of their leader to get them over the finish line. If his side have any signs of complacency in a match against a side in relegation trouble you can bet that it will be JT who drives his side forward and lets them know that nothing less than victory will be acceptable as they look to clinch the title at the bridge next Sunday. John Terry will be bursting at the seams heading into this match, he knows how close he is to lifting the Premier League trophy one more time.

Prediction

I would expect Leicester City to give Chelsea a much tougher game than most would be expecting. Their form as of late shows they would give any team that comes their way a tough time. However, Nigel Pearson’s quote that they will need to see if Chelsea is a game they want to win shows they might look to it as an opportunity to recharge a bit since it’s a midweek match that they wouldn’t expect to pick up points from in the grand scheme of things. Chelsea have handled Manchester United and Arsenal with total discipline and excellence meaning they should now be able to stroll towards the title as easy as they like. Expect a resilient Leicester performance but Chelsea to show their quality for the 3 points.

2-0 Chelsea win

Joshua Smith
Joshua Smithhttp://www.writerjsmith.com
Avid football fan and keen writer with a flair for expression and an opinion to share.
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