The reigning Premier League champions welcome Chelsea to the King Power Stadium in the third round of the EFL Cup.
The Premier League champions of the last two seasons are set to face off at the King Power Stadium today in the third round of the EFL. Both teams are coming off of mixed runs, with Ranieri’s men winning only three games since the start of the season in all competitions, losing to Liverpool, Manchester United and a shock opening day loss to Hull City before drawing against Arsenal. Antonio Conte’s side had a superb start to the season, winning their first 4 games before dropping points at Swansea and losing to Liverpool at home in a display which could only be described as timid, at best.
Both the Italian managers will be looking progress to the next round while using the least number of key players as possible, given that Leicester City travel to Old Trafford on Saturday to face Manchester United and Chelsea head to the Emirates to face cross town rivals, Arsenal. So, big names are expected to be rested while big prospects are set to get some game time.
Tactics
Leicester City
Ranieri will have Danny Simpson, Jeffrey Schlupp and Yohan Benalouane available for selection for today’s tie after they all returned from injuries. However, Kasper Schmeichel is set to miss out once again because of his concussion and Nampalys Mendy is nursing an ankle injury.
So Robert Zieler will stay in goal and Danny Simpson will likely take his place at right-back. 21-year-old left-back Ben Chilwell will likely start ahead of Christian Fuchs, given that they face Manchester United in the league in 4 days time and FC Porto soon after.
Leicester City’s first record-breaking signing of the summer, Ahmed Musa will likely start on the right wing and Marc Albrighton on the left. With Mahrez and Vardy expected to be rested, the Foxes’ attacks will likely emerge from the wings as they look to exploit the lack of pace in the Chelsea ranks. Andy King will set up shop in the center of the park for Leicester alongside young Daniel Amartey, with Danny Drinkwater another key player expected to be rested.
Ranieri will have options upfront to pick from, with Jamie Vardy, Leonardo Ulloa, Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani all available for selection. Leicester City’s record signing Islam Slimani could get another start. The Algerian international scored a brace on his debut and will likely feature for a while before being substituted. Shinji Okazaki is also expected to start and youngster Demarai Gray is expected to feature sometime during the course of the game.
Predicted Starting XI: Robert Zieler; Ben Chilwell, Robert Huth, Wes Morgan, Danny Simpson; Marc Albrighton, Andy King, Daniel Amartey, Ahmed Musa; Islam Slimani, Shinji Okazaki
Chelsea
Captain John Terry is the only player who won’t be available for Antonio Conte’s side due to an ankle injury suffered against Swansea City. The veteran defender is in line for a return against Arsenal, but he’s set to miss out this EFL tie, once again allowing Gary Cahill and David Luiz to take center stage in the Blues’ defence. Ivanovic is expected to be dropped after yet another dismal showing against Liverpool last week and Azpilicueta is expected to take up his original right-back position. Marcos Alonso is in line to make his Chelsea debut after his big money move to Stamford Bridge in the summer and will likely start at left-back. Youngster Ola Aina, who started Chelsea’s last EFL tie against Bristol Rovers, may also feature in some capacity over the course of the game.
N’golo Kante, one of the better performers for Chelsea against Liverpool last week, is expected to take his place in front of the defenders and it is likely that Cesc Fabregas will get to start against Leicester. The Spaniard’s exclusion has made the lack of creativity in this Chelsea squad painfully evident, putting all the responsibility on Eden Hazard. Conte might also take this opportunity to give some game time to Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Nathaniel Chalobah, both of whom impressed in pre-season in midfield.
Victor Moses, who has impressed whenever he’s been brought on, will also likely make his second start of the season in order to rest Willian, who had a disappointing game against Liverpool. The Nigerian scored against Bristol Rovers in their last EFL tie and will look to do more of the same today. Michy Batshuayi is expected to lead the line for the Blues and Eden Hazard is also likely to start to provide that extra bit of quality. Pedro is expected to feature over the course of the game.
Predicted Starting XI: Asmir Begovic; Marcos Alonso, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta; N’golo Kante; Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Victor Moses; Michy Batshuayi
Key Statistics
- Chelsea last met Leicester City in the EFL 9 years ago in 2007. Chelsea won 4-3.
- Leicester City have not kept a clean sheet in their past 8 homes games in the EFL.
- Leicester City have scored 2 goals against Chelsea in 7 of their past 9 meetings against Chelsea in all competitions.
- Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi has scored 3 goals in 5 appearances for Chelsea this season, with 2 of them coming against Bristol Rovers, which was his only start this season so far.
Players To Watch
Leicester City: Islam Slimani
The Algerian announced himself to the English game in superb fashion, by scoring a brace against Burnley. The Foxes spent a record breaking fee to bring the 28-year-old to the King Power Stadium and he’s begun to show why. Slimani had a superb scoring record at Sporting CP in Portugal, scoring 57 goals in 109 appearances for them over the course of 3 seasons. He’s a physical presence in the box and a hardworking player. His deadly finishing and superb ability to head the ball make him Leicester City’s biggest threat against Chelsea, should he play today.
Chelsea: Michy Batshuayi
Batshuayi has been in great form for the Blues so far, scoring 3 goals in 5 appearances. His appearances have largely come as 10-15 minute cameos, restricting his influence. But in the only game in which he has started, he managed to score 2 goals. He’s always delivered when he’s been called upon and Conte will expect him to to do so once again. With a big derby against Arsenal coming on Saturday, the young Belgian could surely use the stage to force Conte into considering him for a starting spot against the Gunners.
Prediction
Leicester City 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea will be desperate to get back to winning ways after dropping points against Swansea and suffering their first defeat of the season against Liverpool. This should motivate the Blues to hit the ground running against the Foxes. Ranieri and his men will have one eye on Saturday’s game against Manchester United and Chelsea have enough quality within their squad to come out on top. But with the team yet to fully buy into Conte’s philosophy, a comprehensive victory will be highly unlikely. The Foxes will surely put up a fight in front of their fans, but with the changes in personnel expected to be made, it would be difficult to defeat this Chelsea squad, should they play to their best.
