High-spirited Leicester City play host to lowly Chelsea on Tuesday morning.
Very few would have predicted the league positions of both these teams prior to the season’s start. It is as though the Foxes and the Blues have switched squads from last season, and if you were to be told this fixture would be first versus 14th, few eyebrows would have been raised – until told it is the East Midlands club is the one sitting pretty atop the standings to date.
The Foxes are high on confidence and the conviction in their play evidences this. They have been bold, clinical and relentless, fully deserving of their league position. Last week against Swansea typified this, dismantling the Welsh side 3-0, particularly due to the heroics of Riyad Mahrez and his hat-trick.
On the other hand, Chelsea have looked timid, lethargic and seem to be suffering a league title hangover. Their season hit new depths last week, losing at home to newly-promoted Bournemouth.
It is the away side that will bear the most pressure on Monday evening to gain a positive result.
Key Battle – Claudio Ranieri vs Jose Mourinho
The association between the two managers as successive Chelsea managers is often referenced among the football world.
Ranieri’s tenure as Chelsea boss as opposed to Mourinho’s two stints represent how far the Blues have come in 10 years. Ranieri represents pre-Russian billions, Mourinho post-Russian billions.
Yet they represent polar opposites once more this season. The former has well and truly exceeded expectations to date with the results that have been produced on the pitch. He has often been jovial in press conferences and clearly has the squad buying into his philosophies. Despite previous Ranieri sides, the Foxes have been attacking and prolific, proving to be one of the best sides to watch in the league.
Mourinho, on the other hand, is feeling the heat. His side has looked toothless at times, has often fended off numerous reports of dressing room (and staff) unrest and wins have not been forthcoming. The squad, despite its collective monetary value, has looked bereft of confidence.
Yet, it is this battle that will be hugely important to determining the result. One will expect Chelsea to attempt to control the tempo of the game, stifling the significant goalscoring threat the Foxes possess.
The battle between both wily tacticians will be a fascinating one throughout.
Team News
The Foxes will once again be without Mathew James, still recovering from an ACL knee injury. Ritchie De Laet joins James in recovery, with an ankle injury that will likely rule him out .
Do not expect too many left-field selections from the home manager.
Diego Costa returned to the starting lineup midweek against Porto in the Champions League, so expect him to do so again against the Foxes.
Aside from Radamel Falcao, who is suffering from an “important muscular injury”, Chelsea will have a full squad to choose from.
Many have underperformed this season, so expect a couple of surprising starters at the King Power Stadium.
Head-to-Head
In previous meetings between the two clubs, Chelsea have won 51, Leicester 24 with 29 draws.
In their previous encounter, it was Chelsea who were winners 3-1 thanks to goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires.
Prediction
Mourinho will be acutely aware of the perils of allowing the game to become open, so expect it to be a tight tussle. Chelsea will bounce back to some degree following their shock loss against Bournemouth to walk away with a point.
Leicester City 1 Chelsea 1
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