Leicester vs. Chelsea: Tactical Preview of Premier League Game
Chelsea fans who watched their U-18 side crowned FA Youth Cup champions on Monday night can now turn their attention to a marginally more important matter: winning the (senior) Premier League title.
They need six points from their next two games in order to lift the trophy at Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace, but a reborn Leicester City stand in their way first of all.
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Nigel Pearson switched to a 3-5-2 formation several weeks ago and that seems to have been a major factor in their obscenely good run of form. Four wins in a row from the formerly bottom-placed club? Incredible stuff.
Former Chelsea man Robert Huth plays the Martin Skrtel role in the middle of the back three now that he's on loan at the King Power Stadium, and he's formed a brilliant understanding with Wes Morgan and Marcin Wasilewski.
Jamie Vardy has hit form at the right time, and an unlikely hero has emerged in the form of Marc Albrighton, playing right-wing-back and excelling now that he's finally found fitness and form.
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There will be some who expect Jose Mourinho to rest the odd key player for this midweek fixture, but it's far more likely the Portuguese will go all-out for the victory and then rest once it's done.
That means Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, John Terry and Co. will be called upon once again. Cesar Azpilicueta should hold off Filipe Luis, and Gary Cahill should get the nod ahead of Kurt Zouma.
Chelsea started without a striker on the pitch against Arsenal but brought Didier Drogba on at half-time to lead the line. Oscar, who endured a brutal collision with David Ospina on Sunday, isn't likely to start.
That could mean Ramires comes in on the right side as Willian shifts to the middle.
Key Point 1: Direct, Counter-Attacking Leicester
Chelsea have spent the last two games sitting deep and absorbing pressure, then counter-attacking at pace on the hunt for a goal. The Blues enjoyed just 33 percent possession in the 1-0 win over Manchester United and 41 percent in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal, per WhoScored.com, but came away with four points and two clean sheets.
Unfortunately for them, that won't be an option against Leicester, as it will the hosts will be the ones looking to relinquish possession and then thrust forward on the counter-attack. In three of their last four wins—West Bromwich Albion being the anomaly—they've recorded less possession than their opponents.
Their 3-5-2 is built to absorb and counter at pace, with wing-backs Albrighton and Jeffrey Schlupp good at carrying the ball forward. The midfield thrive doing it too, with Esteban Cambiasso re-lighting his box-to-box torch as he surges forward with his team on his back.
It remains to be seen how cautiously Mourinho plays it, but he can be sure his side will see far more of the ball and be forced to ask more questions. Beware Albrighton, Schlupp, Cambiasso and especially Vardy on the counter.
Key Point 2: Watch Your Step!
Detractors of Eden Hazard (mostly Arsenal/Alexis Sanchez fans) point out that the Belgian has scored plenty of penalties this season, inflating his goal tally that currently stands at 18, per WhoScored.com.
While that may be true in some competitions—he's only scored three penalties in the Premier League, compared to Santi Cazorla, who has netted six—the point should stand that he often wins them himself.
When teams defend deep against Chelsea, Hazard is given free rein to drift across the box and dip in and out of space. He's usually the chief instigator of one-twos and combination plays, and he has grasped the mantle as Cesc Fabregas has tired over the course of the season.
That spells trouble for the opposition: He tends to dance into the box, and when there's a clogging of bodies or legs, it's easy to trip Hazard up. Leicester may be confident they can bring down the barricades and crowd the box, but the 2014-15 season has simply taught us that when that happens, the team in question concedes from the spot rather than open play.
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