Chelsea vs. Leicester City: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
Chelsea will host defending Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday, as both teams look to return from the international break with a much-needed win.
The Blues halted their losing streak with a 2-0 win over Hull City in their last match and currently sit in seventh place, while the Foxes have won only two league matches all season and find themselves way down in 12th.
Compatriots Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri will be in charge of the two teams, and fans can expect a tactical battle between the two Italians and their respective teams.
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Date: Saturday, Oct. 15
Time: 12:30 p.m. BST/7:30 a.m ET
TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBC Sports
Live Stream:NBC Sports Live, Sky Go
Form Guide
| Hull (2-0 win) | Southampton (0-0 draw) |
| Arsenal (3-0 loss) | Manchester United (4-1 loss) |
| Liverpool (2-1 loss) | Burnley (3-0 win) |
| Swansea (2-2 draw) | Liverpool (4-0 loss) |
| Burnley (3-0 win) | Swansea (2-1 win) |
Team News
As reported by Leicester City's official website, Ranieri is happy with the work midfielder Danny Drinkwater has put in since returning from international duty, and he's expected to feature for the visitors: “He is okay. He made a very good session this morning (Thursday), and I am very happy.”
Nampalys Mendy is still a question mark with an ankle injury, with the Frenchman having not featured in the Premier League since August as a result.
Ranieri also confirmed none of his internationals picked up knocks during the break:
"The last player arrived back from international this morning (Thursday). Now we have to see who has recovered well and then I choose. All the clubs have the same problem. Fortunately everybody is ok.
Now it is very important to maintain all of my players in very good condition and I will try to manage and rotate well my players.
I saw very well we played seven matches in 22 days. At the end it wasn’t so good. Now I have to rotate a little more my players. For this reason, I am waiting until tomorrow, the last training session, and then I decide.
"
Chelsea will be without Willian, who was given leave to deal with the death of his mother, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup: Thibaut Courtois; Marcos Alonso, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta; Victor Moses, Nemanja Matic, N'Golo Kante, Eden Hazard, Oscar; Diego Costa
Predicted Leicester City Lineup: Kasper Schmeichel; Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan, Robert Huth, Christian Fuchs; Marc Albrighton, Danny Drinkwater, Daniel Amartey, Riyad Mahrez; Jamie Vardy, Islam Slimani
Preview
As expected, Ranieri was once again asked about returning to Stamford Bridge, and he expects it to be another special occasion, per the team's official website:
The Foxes have been unable to replicate the attacking prowess that led them to the title last year, but at Stamford Bridge that could change.
Chelsea are still finding their identity under Conte, and one thing the former Juventus boss hasn't been able to do is fix their defence. He also hasn't been able to integrate Cesc Fabregas just yet, and a lack of creativity has hurt the team moving forward.
The great form of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard is reason for optimism, however―the latter impressed on international duty. Perhaps a greater role is finally in store for Michy Batshuayi as well, as his ability could help offset the loss of Willian.
But Chelsea need points badly, and now may not be the time to start experimenting. Leicester may not be in top form right now, but the Foxes remain a dangerous team to face.
