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Leicester v Chelsea – Match preview and predictions

Leicester host Chelsea this weekend in a huge meeting in the race to secure Champions League football, the third-placed Foxes welcoming Frank Lampard’s fourth-placed side to the King Power Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

Here’s all you need to know about this weekend’s crunch clash…

Form

Leicester: WLLWW

Brendan Rodgers’ high-flying side bounced back from consecutive defeats to Southampton and Burnley last time out, thrashing West Ham 4-1 at the King Power Stadium with Harvey Barnes starring.

The Premier League’s leading scorer, Jamie Vardy, limped out of that clash with a glute injury, but returned as a substitute during the club’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat to Aston Villa in midweek and could be included from the start.

After an impressive start to the season Leicester have wobbled slightly of late, taking just ten points from their past eight league fixtures, though victory over Chelsea will put the club in a commanding position to secure Champions League qualification – opening up an eleven point advantage over the fourth-placed visitors.

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Chelsea: DLWDW

Chelsea continue to frustrate with their inconsistent displays, the club having won just four of their past ten Premier League fixtures as Frank Lampard’s young side struggle to produce their best on a regular basis.

Despite their mixed results of late, the Blues remain fourth in the division and on course to secure Champions League football, currently sitting six points ahead of nearest challengers Manchester United and Tottenham.

Last week’s pulsating draw with Arsenal showcased the club’s deficiencies, failing to turn their dominance into goals and paying the price for some slack defensive play.

Unable to bolster his squad with additions in the transfer window so far, Lampard may rush back Tammy Abraham for a key game at the King Power Stadium, the forward suffering an ankle injury against Arsenal and missing the club’s FA Cup win at Hull last weekend.

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Last meeting

Chelsea 1-1 Leicester, 18th August 2019

The previous meeting between the two sides was Frank Lampard’s first home game in charge of Chelsea back in August, Wilfried Ndidi recovering from an early mistake to head home an equaliser for Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

The Nigerian international had earlier been robbed of possession by Mason Mount as the midfielder opened the scoring after seven minutes, the youngster’s first goal for the Blues at senior level.

Ndidi would redeem himself as the Foxes improved after the break, however, rising highest and heading home from a corner as Brendan Rodgers’ side returned from the capital with a deserved point.

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Predicted Line ups

Leicester: Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Chilwell; N’didi, Praet, Tielemans, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy

Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rudiger, Emerson; Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Willian, Hudson-Odoi; Abraham

Who is the referee?

Lee Mason.

How can I watch Man City v Crystal Palace?

UK readers can watch the game on BT Sport 1, whilst US readers can view the fixture on NBCSN.

What time is kick off?

12:30 BST.

Odds

Leicester – 6/4

Draw – 13/5

Chelsea – 17/10

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