ClapThe Premier League is set to return this weekend in full force with a series of fascinating fixtures to take us through to the winter break – with arguably the most notable, as reported by BBC and PremierLeague.com, being Leicester City vs Chelsea.
Aside from Liverpool and Manchester City, these clubs have been leading the charge in the top flight this season and currently find themselves situated in the top four. While both have had their fair share of ups and downs so far this season, the start that they made in the first few months has left them both in a really good position to finish the campaign with their respective positions in the Champions League having been confirmed.
A big moment
Leicester are coming off the back of a disappointing Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa, but given what they set out for themselves at the start of the season compared to where they are now, we’d say that Brendan Rodgers will be pretty happy as they look to return to the top table of European football.
Chelsea, on the other hand, seem to be struggling with a few issues off the pitch as Frank Lampard continues to try and bring in a few new faces before the January transfer window comes to an end. They need more attacking options because right now, things seem a little bit stagnant.
Courtesy of the aforementioned BBC, here are a few facts and figures to wrap your head around before these two clubs meet.
Leicester City
- Leicester are unbeaten against London sides under Brendan Rodgers, winning seven of 10 top-flight matches. They have won five league games in a row against opposition from the capital since a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in August.
- Leicester have lost two of their past three Premier League home matches – they had lost just one of their previous 15 at the King Power Stadium (W11, D3).
- The Foxes have conceded 13 goals in seven league fixtures, two more than in their opening 17 games.
- They have conceded just one goal from a corner, the best record of any Premier League team this season, along with Liverpool.
- Jamie Vardy has failed to score in his last four league matches, equalling his longest drought under Rodgers. He has netted three times in 10 top-flight games against Chelsea.
Chelsea
- The Blues have won one of their last four league fixtures, and four of their last 12.
- Chelsea claimed 15 points from a possible 18 in their first six away league games this season, scoring 18 goals, but in their subsequent six matches on the road they have managed just seven points and scored seven goals.
- Frank Lampard’s side have conceded 11 goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season, a joint-league high alongside Aston Villa and Everton.
- They have lost eight times in the league this season, as often as they did in the whole of 2018-19.
We’re backing a draw in this game, but to be honest, no result would surprise us given how unpredictable these two clubs are.
