Chelsea will host Leicester City on Saturday, August 23 at 7 AM PST (10 AM EST). The Blues will be loaded with confidence, coming off of their 3-1 victory over Burnley. Leicester managed an impressive 2-2 draw against Everton last Saturday to open their 2014 account.
Chelsea Team News
Jose Mourinho’s boys were arguably the most convincing squad of the opening weekend in the Barclay’s Premier League. After going down inside of 15 minutes, thanks to a Scott Arfield wonder volley, Chelsea put the hammer down and silenced the Burnley faithful.
Diego Costa was rewarded with the opener for the Blues, just three minutes later. Costa had a legitimate appeal for a penalty kick later on in the first half, having appeared to be brought down by goalkeeper Tom Heaton. The referee opted in favor of the Burnley keeper though, showing Costa a yellow card for simulation.
The second goal for the away side arrived in the 21st minute, by way of Andre Schurrle. After an incredible display of dribbling and passing, culminating in a sublime ball into the feet of Schurrle by way of Cesc Fabregas, the German international put the Blues up 2-1.
Fabregas was simply phenomenal in his Premier League debut with the Blues, tallying a second assist off of his 34th minute corner kick. Defender Branislav Ivanovic headed home the free aerial ball from his new teammate.
Leicester City Team News
The newly promoted side certainly didn’t receive any assistance from the schedule-makers in 2014. Leicester earned a well-deserved draw against Everton in their first game, but with Chelsea and then Arsenal to follow, things can get ugly very quickly.
This is a team that dominated the English Championship in 2013-2014, en route to their promotion to the Premiership though. Leicester managed to record an astounding 102 points throughout the season. Unfortunately for the side, their last triumph in the Premier League came back in 1928-1929, when the side finished runners up to champions Sheffield Wednesday.
Chelsea certainly can’t consider this match a cake walk though. Nigel Pearson’s men boast a fiery attitude and are capable of grinding out results, as shown by their opening fixture. It is a squad with a good amount of depth as well, especially with talented young striker Chris Wood coming off the bench.
Chelsea Lineup
(GK) Thibaut Courtois, (RB) Cesar Azpilicueta, (CB) Gary Cahill, (CB) John Terry, (LB) Filipe Luis, (CDM) Nemanja Matic, (CDM) Cesc Fabregas, (LM) Eden Hazard, (CAM) Oscar, (RM) Andre Schurrle, (ST) Diego Costa
Leicester City Lineup
(GK) Kasper Schmeichel, (RB) Ritchie De Laet, (CB) Wes Morgan, (CB) Liam Moore, (LB) Paul Konchesky, (RM) Miyad Mahrez, (CM) Andy King, (CM) Daniel Drinkwater, (LM) Anthony Konckaert, (ST) Jose Ulloa, (ST) David Nugent
Chelsea vs Leicester Prediction
Leicester City probably stunned a few with their opening match draw with Everton, but the squad has some talent in it. They defend with a purpose and will likely make it difficult on Chelsea to penetrate at times. Like Burnley, Leicester don’t possess the players to compete with Mourinho’s team for 90 minutes. Burnley went up 1-0 against the Blues, but only managed to hold their lead for three minutes. The summer signings of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas already look to be paying dividends for this title hopeful. Chelsea will defeat Leicester 2-0.
TV Schedule
This match will be televised live on NBC Sports Network at 7 AM PST (10 AM EST).
