Having failed to beat Fleetwood Town in the 3rd round of the FA Cup last weekend, Claude Puel’s Leicester City will have to turn their attention towards the domestic league, where they try to retain their place in the top half of the points table. The Foxes stand in the 8th place in the points table, having taken just 4 points from their last 5 games.
They are fresh off a victory against Huddersfield Town in the last round of the competition, more than a week ago and will look to take that momentum when they travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend. The Blues are one of the in-form sides in the competition but were held to a couple of draws against Arsenal, in the league and then in the league cup, in their last three games.
Puel will believe that his side can take something from this game and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, the Foxes are still without the services of their defensive trio Wes Morgan, Danny Simpson and Robert Huth, all of whom are ruled out for this game. However, they will be able to welcome midfielder Adrien Silva, who is finally a Leicester player and is back from an ankle injury. The likes of Jamie Vardy, Vicente Iborra and Christian Fuchs have brushed off slight niggles and are expected to be fit for this game.
Expected lineup (4-4-1-1):
Defense:
Kasper Schmeichel remains the undisputed choice on goal for the manager and he is expected to retain his place this weekend. Danny Simpson’s injury has seen Daniel Amartey deputize at right back and he will continue to do so in this game while Christian Fuchs who is back in action, should retain his place at left-back.
The injury to skipper Wes Morgan will see Harry Maguire turn into the senior CB for this trip to London and should be accompanied by Aleksandar Dragovic, who will make his first PL start as a centre-back.
Midfield:
Wilfried Ndidi has been the most effective midfielder this season in the league, at least according to the stats. He will have a tough task, keeping a busy Chelsea midfield quite in this game. He should be accompanied by Vicente Iborra, who is growing in confidence by the game.
Riyad Mahrez is also finding some consistency recently and will start on the right flank while the ever-reliable Marc Albrighton, will look to add some mettle to the midfield.
Attack:
The danger man for Chelsea in this game will undoubtedly be Jamie Vardy. The English striker, up against the likes of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, will be the best outlet for the Foxes this weekend.
He will be supported by the young Demarai Gray, who could turn into a match-winner if given space and time in the final third.
Here is how they might line up:
