Game Week 12 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Leicester City at the King Power

Preview: Leicester City vs. Chelsea at King Power Stadium. Key injuries, tactical battles, and predictions as the Blues aim for victory.

It will be a great midfield battle between Leicester City and Chelsea on Saturday but, it's Chelsea's game to lose. (Photo credit: Opta)

Leicester City vs. Chelsea.

King Power Stadium

1:30pm

With all clubs returning from the international break, it's only fitting that we kick off early on Saturday, and what a fantastic way to start! The Blues are away to Leicester City; it should be an exciting match.

Chelsea forced Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at the Stamford Bridge Stadium just before the break, but they would be the happier side as the Gunners were dominating roundly. This fixture gives Chelsea the opportunity to move closer to Manchester City in second place, at least, before the champions play later.

Beyond three points, it's also Enzo Maresca's first return to the King Power Stadium, a venue where he led the Foxes to Premier League promotion last season, picking up the Championship medal on his way; it's going to be an intriguing game on Saturday.

Let’s talk about Leicester City, shall we? The Foxes’ last win was the comeback one away at Southampton way back in October; their last result was a 3-0 annihilation against Manchester United, and they must find a way to earn a result against the troublesome Blues.

Injuries haven't been kind to Steve Cooper and Leicester, but they've also occasionally been the architects of their own problems; it's okay to be ambitious, but sometimes they sacrifice everything in the pursuit of goals, which often exposes them beyond repair.

Due to his one-game suspension, Facundo Buananotte will not be available for this match, and the ACL pandemic that is currently roiling the football world has ruled Abdul Fatawu out for the remainder of the season.

According to reports, Jamie Vardy is struggling and Cooper has not provided an update on Bobby Decordova-Reid's fitness at his presser. Ricardo Pereira is not expected to return until sometime in February.

Reece James and Romeo Lavia are both unavailable for Chelsea, with the captain suffering another hamstring problem. This must be frustrating for James, who has missed so many games in the last two years due to injuries.

Harry Winks and Wilfred Ndidi will both have it all to do in this game to stop Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes from creating for the Blues; Patson Daka could get a starting role after missing the entire season due to injuries.

With Cole Palmer guiding him, Nicolas Jackson should dominate this game, while Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, who scored the equalizer against Arsenal, should also excel. It should be a fantastic game on Saturday.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.