Premier League Predictions: Chelsea must beat Leicester

Watch out for Raheem Sterling against Leicester, he must make huge statements now. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Chelsea vs Leicester City

Stamford Bridge Stadium

3:00pm

Everything that could go wrong went wrong for Chelsea away at Elland Road last weekend as they returned a man lite – after Kalidou Koulibaly’s sending off, empty handed – after shipping three goals without reply and went five points off the top of the log.

The Blues will also not be able to have Thomas Tuchel on the touchlines after his ban was upheld; the German was found guilty of touchline spat against Tottenham and will face a one game dugout ban against the Foxes.

Leicester City are not in a good place at the moment and might slip completely off the pace if things don’t change quickly. Brendan Rodgers is frustrated as many of his top players want to be elsewhere and he wants that resolved quickly.

The Foxes have not signed a single first team player and will not be able to do so if they don’t sell; Youri Tielemans is expected to leave, James Maddison also wants out and Wesley Fofana is desperately seeking a move to Chelsea.

Leicester lost at home to Southampton last weekend, the second time they’re dropping points from a winning position; the Foxes led 2-0 at home on opening day against Brentford and had to keep things together late on to avoid losing the game as they were pegged back to 2-2.

Chelsea must win here, not only to make a statement but to rally on the log. It’s a season that promises to be defined by fine margins, you can’t expect to slip too far off and with Manchester United seemingly awake, Chelsea can’t afford another setback.

Leicester cannot be brave at Stamford Bridge, they must defend their way to a point at least. The Blues are blunt upfront but is this the game where Raheem Sterling gets into his strides? Kai Havertz isn’t that man that will give you many goals, Chelsea must seal the Pierre Emerick Aubameyang deal to resolve goalscoring issues.

Jamie Vardy isn’t the same anymore but you can’t be too careful with him. Tiago Silva is expected to be flanked by Nathaniel Chalobah and Cesar Azpilicueta in the absence of Koulibaly, Reece James must be allowed to roam the flanks and not in CB. Tuchel must have learned his lessons.

Verdict: Chelsea to win