Chelsea and Leicester collide in the Capital on Saturday afternoon. Neither are necessarily enjoying their start to the domestic season after rocky starts. Ryan Liberty previews.
To Win (90 mins)
Chelsea 4/10 | Draw 4/1 | Leicester 13/2
Chelsea
Chelsea, who have spent more than 170 million quid on players during the summer window, were the architects of their own demise against a spirited Leeds side on Sunday.
Edouard Mendy uncharacteristically gave Leeds the lead early on, as he dawdled on a fairly straightforward back pass. Raheem Sterling who has looked lively this season so far was the guilty party in giving Leeds free kick on the edge of the box which gave Rodrigo his fourth goal for the season. Chelsea obviously then went on to concede a third and lost the game 3-0 – but for me, the disappointment of the day was the lack of fight from the Blues.
Come the full time whistle, Kalidou Koulibaly had been sent off, Chelsea looked deflated and Thomas Tuchel was preparing to give a bizarre post-match interview in which blamed a missed flight (only the coaching staff took a bus, the players flew) as well as claiming that Chelsea were clearly the superior side in defeat.
Leicester
James Maddison has been flying so far this season, and yet in truth it should be said that is the case despite Leicester’s performances. Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Wesley Fofana was not in the right state of mind amid talks with Chelsea – and so the defender was forced to watch the 2-1 defeat against Southampton from the stands.
His presence was missed though, the Foxes failed to deal with balls being played into those half-spaces asking for an aerial dual between striker and defender. The defeat increased pressure on Rodgers, he’s seen his side lose five points from winning positions already this season… funny enough the last time they did this they were crowned champions by the end of the season!
I must say Leicester are frustrating to get behind in the betting markets…they blow hot and cold. They look really menacing for large parts of the game only to come up short and often lack that killer instinct when they are able to claim all three points.
Rodgers is a quality football coach; one I would be patient with and back handsomely in the market. My only point of confusion is where a player doesn’t want to be at the club and yet the management want to hang on… I say cash in and invest elsewhere.
Chelsea is probably the better side, but I think the confidence to back them here is largely rooted in the fact that Leicester can’t seem to buy a victory lately.
Prediction: Chelsea and Both Teams To Score (2/1)
I think defensively Chelsea might be a little vulnerable this weekend. Leicester could be given a couple chances in that regard but without the killer instinct required at this level, I still cannot get behind them to claim all three points.
I think they score, but Chelsea wins here and likely with a statement performance. At the price available, I think this could be a banker bet option.
