One of the most attractive English Premier League matches this weekend takes place at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday, October 15th when Leicester City pays a visit to take on Chelsea. This match features the current league champions Leicester against the previous titleholders. Leicester is out to prove that last year’s success wasn’t a fluke while Chelsea is aiming to finish the season at least in the top for to get back to the European Champions League next season.
Chelsea vs Leicester City – 5Dimes Soccer Betting Line:
- 5Dimes currently lists Chelsea as the favorites to win the game at -167 with Leicester +521 and a draw at +331
Chelsea vs Leicester City – Head to Head:
These two clubs met as recently as September 20th in the English League Cup with Chelsea winning 4-2 on the road courtesy of two goals in extra time by Cesc Fabregas. They drew 1-1 at Stamford road in league action last season with Leicester winning their home match 2-1. Overall, these two sides have met 107 times in the past with Chelsea winning 52, losing 25 and drawing the other 30. Leicester has won just once in the last 11 meetings along with a draw and nine defeats.
Chelsea – A Closer Look:
Chelsea dropped all the way down to 10th in the 20-team Premier League last year, just a season after winning the title. They enter this weekend in seventh place with 13 points from a possible 21. They’ve won four games, drawn one and lost two with 12 goals scored and nine conceded. They’re three points behind fourth-place Liverpool and five back of league-leading Manchester City. There’s still a long way to go in the season, but there are already rumors swirling around that new manager Antonio Conte’s job will soon be on the line unless Chelsea can beat the top sides with some regularity. They’ve already lost to Arsenal and Liverpool this season.
Chelsea did manage to beat newly-promoted Hull City 2-0 away in their last outing two weeks ago, but that’s been their only victory in their last four matches after winning the first three of the campaign. Willian scored the first goal against Hull in the 61st minute on a setup from Diego Costa and Costa scored the insurance goal just six minutes later. Conte has a relatively healthy squad to choose from as English defender and captain John Terry is expected back. However, defender Kurt Zouma is still questionable for the Blues, but is back in training.
Leicester City – A Closer Look:
Leicester enters round eight in 12th place with just eight points on two wins, two draws and three defeats. They’ve already lost as many games as all of last season. Leicester has just eight goals to their name after seven matches and have allowed 11 against. They’ve lost three games on the road this season, 2-1 to newly-promoted Hull City in their season opener and 4-1 scores to Liverpool and Manchester United. Funnily enough though, Leicester has won both of their Champions League contests, 3-0 away to Brugge of Belgium and 1-0 at home to Porto of Portugal.
Leicester drew 0-0 at home with Southampton in their last outing two weeks ago and are winless in their past two matches. Manager Claudio Ranieri also has a healthy side on his hands as midfielders Daniel Drinkwater and Nampalys Mendy are both expected to be in the lineup against Chelsea. Leicester’s title win was probably a once-in-a-lifetime achievement last season, but the club won’t be happy at all if it doesn’t end the season in the top 10 at least.
Chelsea vs Leicester City – Takeaway:
Both these teams need a boost to get back on track this season and that’s what makes this such a big game. Neither of them can really afford to lose, but hopefully they won’t settle for a draw either.
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by Ian S. Palmer