Chelsea vs Leicester: Preview and Prediction

Saturday 22nd December 2018

England Premier League
Saturday 22nd December 2018
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge

Match Preview:

It’s fair to say that Chelsea took some knocks lately in losing to Tottenham and then Wolves but Maurizio Sarri’s team have shown a lot of strength since then and roared back into contention.

The Blues opened everyone’s eyes when they beat Manchester City 2-0 inflicting City’s first defeat of the season. Then they beat Brighton and in midweek reached the Carabao Cup semi finals where they will play Tottenham for a place in the final against either Manchester City once more or the unlikely heroes Burton.

Chelsea are still 8 points from league leaders Liverpool but we have seen that this team have been built well under Sarri’s command and haven’t just folded when the chips were down. They will need to keep gaining the points as Arsenal are a genuine threat to their top 4 status.

At Stamford Bridge Chelsea have the 3^rd best home record in the league and are unbeaten after 9 games, winning 6 of them and drawing three.

It all seems to have gone wrong for Leicester lately. Being knocked out of the Carabao Cup is a massive blow for the club as they were relying on it to really push on and be motivated this season. A look at their recent games in the league does not make for good reading with losses against Tottenham and Palace, the Foxes have not won a game since the beginning of the month.

Whilst Claude Puel’s team have won 4 from their 9 games away from home they also have no wins in their last three games, and it seems as if they are suffering their worst patch of form and confidence loss since the season began.

Team News:

Chelsea: Alvaro Morata has every chance to play after receiving a knock and will be assessed. Victor Moses could also return for the same reason

Leicester: Jamie Vardy could be the big loss for the Foxes. He missed the Carabao Cup defeat with a knock but will be assessed ahead of this game. Ndidi is deemed to have a very minor knee injury and could also return at the weekend

Chelsea vs Leicester Head to Head:

Last season the teams played out a 0-0 draw here.

In the last 3 games played at Stamford Bridge against Leicester, Chelsea only have 1 win.

Leicester have no wins at this stadium in over 15 years.

Chelsea vs Leicester Prediction:

Chelsea should win this game. They have the stronger team, home advantage, more confidence, a good feeling within the squad, and are chasing a higher place. Leicester have none of the above and the Carabao Cup exit would have taken the wind out of their sails. There is evidently hunger in this Chelsea side to do well this season. The only problem with backing them to win is that they are as low as 1.30 to do so, so instead we will back them to be leading at half time.

Chelsea vs Leicester Betting Tips:

Half Time Result: Chelsea to win at 1.80

Anytime goalscorer: Eden Hazard at 2.00