Chelsea vs Leicester preview: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, teams and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Samuel Lovett
Friday 14 October 2016 14:00 BST
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The two sides met in the EFL Cup last month
The two sides met in the EFL Cup last month

Leicester travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they attempt to get their season back on track. The Foxes have lost three out of three away games in the league so far and have taken only eight points from their opening seven games. Claudio Ranieri’s men face a tough challenge in the form of Chelsea who head into Saturday’s game on the back of a 2-0 win against Hull two weekends ago.

As for the Blues, Antonio Conte’s side have endured a mixed start to the season. Having lost to both Arsenal and Liverpool, Chelsea are clearly still in need of plenty of work. Their defensive issues were embarrassingly exposed against the Gunners and although the backline looked far more comfortable against Hull, Leicester’s counter-attacking style of football and pace up front will prove a testing challenge.

It’s a big game for…

Jamie Vardy. The Leicester forward is stuck in something of a rut at the moment having failed to score in his last six games. He made just one touch inside the Southampton box two weeks ago when the Saints visited the King Power Stadium and was substituted shortly after the 60 minute mark. With the Chelsea defence still struggling to find its feet, Saturday’s game could be the perfect opportunity for the striker to rediscover his form.

Remember when…

Leicester all but confirmed Jose Mourinho’s dismissal? The Foxes held on for 2-1 win at home to return to the top of league, with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez finding the back of the net. After a run of bad form, Chelsea’s defeat by Leicester proved to be the breaking point for the club hierarchy and Mourinho was sacked three days after the game. He had lasted just seven months in charge.

Player to watch…

N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman has yet to play his former side since leaving in the summer (he was left on the bench for the EFL encounter between the two teams last month) and it’ll be interesting to see the treatment he receives from his former teammates and fans. Knowing Kante, he won’t be fazed in the slightest. The midfielder has recreated the sort of form that helped drive Leicester to success last season for Chelsea and was particularly impressive two weeks ago. Kante made more more successful passes (70) and had more touches (95) against Hull than he had in any of his previous 43 Premier League matches.

Starting XI…

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, David Luiz,Cahill, Moses, Kanté, Matic, Alonso, Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard.

Leicester: Schmeichel, Hernández, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Amartey, Schlupp, Musa, Vardy.

Kante in action for Chelsea against Liverpool

Past three meetings…

Leicester 2 (Okazaki x2) Chelsea 4 (Cahill, Azpilicueta, Fabregas x2), September 2016, EFL Cup

Chelsea 1 (Fabregas) Leicester 1 (Drinkwater), May 2016, Premier League

Leicester 2 (Vardy, Mahrez) Chelsea 1 (Remy), December 2015

Form…

Chelsea: WLWLDW

Leicester: DWLLWW

Vital information…

Kick-off: Chelsea vs Leicester kicks off at 12.30 BST.

TV: The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1, highlights on BBC One at 22.45 BST.

Odds…

Chelsea – 4/7

Draw – 16/5

Leicester – 9/2

(William Hill)

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