Premier League: Chelsea vs Leicester match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

(Getty Images)

They say the worst time to play newly-promoted clubs is right at the start of the season. Chelsea, then, will have approached the new season with a degree of caution, facing two in the first two weekends.

But any trepidation must have turned into confidence during that swashbuckling first half display against Burnley when they bounced back from a goal down to effectively end the contest by half time. New signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas slotted seamlessly into the side, the former bagging a Premier League debut goal and the latter pulling the strings in midfield to the extent that boss Jose Mourninho called him a maestro. If they can do it on a chilly night at Turf Moor, then you’d expect the Blues to be even more formidable on home soil.

For Leicester this is just one of a number of daunting fixtures to welcome them back to life in the Premier League. Last weekend’s draw with Everton, however, will have provided a major boost. To come back twice from a goal down against classy opposition is the sort of resilience needed in the fight for survival.

Those looking for omens will be interested to note that the last time Leicester featured in the Premier League, in 2003-04, they got their campaign underway with a 2-2 home draw and then went to Stamford Bridge for their second fixture, where they were beaten 2-1.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

Pearson led Leicester City to the Championship title last season (Getty Images)

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Chelsea 5 (Cahill, Kalou, Torres 2, Raul Meireles) Leicester 2 (Beckford, Marshall), FA Cup, March 2012

Chelsea 4 (Lampard 3, Shevchenko) Leicester 3 (McAuley, DJ Campbell, Cort), Carling Cup, October 2007

Chelsea 4 (Hasselbaink 2, Mutu, Babayaro) Leicester 0, Premier League, January 2004

STATS…

Chelsea have averaged three goals per game against Leicester over their last six encounters.

Leicester beat Chelsea home and away in the 2000-01 Premier League season.

Chelsea failed to win their last two home matches of the last Premier League season.

It is 10 years since Leicester were last in the top flight.

ODDS…

Chelsea to win: 1.2

Leicester to win: 15.0

Draw: 6.5

TV:

Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.