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  • Sports - Football - Scores & Fixtures
  • Updated: January 19, 2021

Leicester City vs Chelsea: Match Preview, Team News, Line-ups

Leicester City vs Chelsea: Match Preview, Team News, Line-up

Leicester City vs Chelsea may just be another fixture for Brendan Rodgers but it is future determining for Frank Lampard whose job has come under the scrutiny of late. A win away at the foxes stadium might just be the needed antidote to ease his pressure.

Chelsea currently sit at 7th on the English Premier League standings with 29 points from 18 games - winning eight, five draws, and five losses.

Leicester City, on the other hand, can go provisionally top of the league with a win at home against Chelsea as they sit 3rd on the log with 35 points from 18 games - winning eleven games, two draws, and five losses.

At full time, it would be precisely halfway through the season for Chelsea and Leicester, with 5 losses between them, a win might be the symmetry to choose a much better side apart from the point or position on the table.

LEICESTER CITY -- MATCH PREVIEW

Brendan Rodgers has been able to put Leicester back on the EPL map after Claudio Ranieri, who won the Championship for them in 2016.

Leicester City are the 3rd joint-high scoring team leveled with Chelsea at 33 goals so far - though they have scored the most penalties (8) than any team in the top flight.

The foxes have conceded 21 goals - out of their 33 scored, They have had their fair share of fixture congestion as they played in the Europa League.

Jamie Vardy is the side highest scorer with 11 goals, it happens to be that he is also with the highest assist, proving he can score and create simultaneously.

CHELSEA -- MATCH PREVIEW

The Blues were the highest spending team in the summer, not just in England but if not in Europe as they bought Europe's most promising talents to Stamford Bridge.

This has placed them under a microscope as much was expected of Frank Lampard to at least win a trophy or gel them into a reckoning force in Europe.

READ ALSO: Mikel Arteta vs Frank Lampard: Pressure Switches With Results

Yet, they have slipped since the boxing day London derby against Arsenal as they went 3 matches winless streak - 2 defeat and 1 draw.

Arsenal did not just use Chelsea as a boost to their already weakened morale but a loss to COVID-19 depleted City was unacceptable to many at the top of Chelsea's hierarchy.

Many speculations were raised about Roman Abrahamovic already looking for a replacement for Frank Lampard - with lots of names coming up including recently dismissed Paris Saint-Germain tactician, Thomas Tuchel and former Juventus coach Max Allegri.

A quick break into the FA cup gave Chelsea somewhat of a respite, winning emphatically 4-0 against Morecambe - a fourth-tier side of English football.

The win was also followed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham, but Leicester is obviously no Fulham - although a win is always an elixir for a better result no matter how it is obtained.

LEICESTER CITY -- TEAM TALK AND LINE-UPS

A major doubt for Leicester City is Jamie Vardy as he was seen limping a bit after a 2-0 win against Southampton. Rodgers will be sweating to have his top scorer and point man fit for a game of this magnitude and intensity.

If Vardy is fit, then Chelsea defence will always be on their toes as he is not just clinical in front of goal but also capable of providing an assist.

Apart from him, every other player is fit and ready to go - Praet is out injured.

Rodgers might stick to him normally 3-4-1-2 formation with Harvey Barnes, Vardy up front and James Maddison behind them.

Four midfielders - Ndidi, Tielemans, Justin, and Castagne.

Ndidi and Tielemans will be operating like scissors with one staying back while the other drops deep to add to the attacking force.

Tielemans will likely drop deep as Ndidi is known for his defensive prowess, tackles, ball retention and the 'dirty job'.

A lot of such work will be needed with Hakim Ziyech back in the side.

Castagne and Justin are full-backs - overlaps forward to provide cross or assist and tracks back to provide cover in defence.

The centre-backs are Fofana, Evans and Soyuncu. The man between the sticks is Kasper Schmeichel.

CHELSEA - TEAM TALKS AND LINE-UPS

Chelsea are the underdogs going into this match on Tuesday but also with the most pressure both from fans to the players, board to the coach and fear of dropping off the Champions League zone.

The blues line-up should see a little change as Olivier Giroud is expected to be chosen ahead of misfiring Timo Werner, Mount ahead of Kai Havertz  - as both Germans are still adapting to the EPL.

Pulisic and Ziyech on the wing, Jorginho and Kovacic to form the midfield duo with Kante out injured.

In a 4-3-3, Chilwell, Thiago, Rudiger - ahead of Zouma, and Recce James ahead of Azpilicueta for the backline.

Mendy would still get the green light ahead of Kepa.

More of Chelsea's play will be from the wing - right-wing -- Ziyech, Recce James have the ability to whip in crosses for Giroud to place a header.

Though the presence of Soyuncu who is also tall and capable of aerial prowess might give Giroud some challenge in that area.

None of both Thiago and Rudiger can match either Maddison or Vardy's pace especially in Kante's absence - that will be a loophole in the formation - when caught on a break.

LEICESTER CITY VS CHELSEA KICK-OFF TIME

Tuesday 19th 2020  ---  8:15 pm (UTC)

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