Chelsea will welcome reigning champions Leicester City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday (15 October) with both teams currently on a bad run of form.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 12.30pm BST. Live TV coverage will be available on Sky Sports 1 and 1 HD. Highlights of the game will be available on BBC Match of the Day on BBC One from 10.30pm BST.

Overview

Chelsea are going through a slump after starting the season with three consecutive wins. They have won just one of their last three Premier League games, which included losses to main rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.

Antonio Conte is under pressure to get them back to winning ways sooner rather than later. The Italian manager admitted that his team are struggling defensively and will be glad to have John Terry back in the squad for their clash against the Foxes. Willian will be absent for the game after being granted compassionate leave following his mother's death recently.

John Terry
John Terry has returned to training after recovering from an ankle injury Getty

Leicester are far worse compared to last season and are currently in 12<sup>th place in the league having won just two of their seven games thus far. They have lost the last two away games, which were against Liverpool and Manchester United and Claudio Ranieri will be keen to avoid a third straight away defeat.

The King Power outfit have failed to recapture last season's form and with teams having learnt their counter-attacking style of play, they are able to counter it better this season. The Italian manager is sweating on the fitness of Danny Drinkwater after the midfielder missed England's recent World Cup qualifying fixtures with a minor groin injury. He is expected to recover in time to take his place at the heart of the midfield, where he will come up against former teammate N'Golo Kante, who chose to move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

This is the second meeting between the two sides this season, after coming up against each other in the third round of the League Cup, which the Blues won 4-2 in extra-time. The Foxes are looking vulnerable in defence this season, and have conceded 10 goals already away from home, which is just eight less than what they conceded on the road during the entirety of last season.

What they say

Eden Hazard on Antonio Conte: He is good. We started well with three wins, then we suffered two defeats after the international break and then we won again. He has tried to bring confidence to the players. We are fit because we ran a lot in pre-season! You need to do this to stay at the top. We want to improve with this manager.

Claudio Ranieri: We played seven matches in 22 days. I have to rotate a little more my players. I will wait until after training [on Friday]. The last match at Chelsea was special with the guard of honour, but Saturday is an important match and we must react.

Betting odds (betfair)

  • Chelsea win: 4/7
  • Draw: 10/3
  • Leicester City win: 11/2

Team News

Chelsea

Possible XI: Courtois; Cahill, Terry, Luiz; Azpilicueta, Matic, Kante, Alonso; Oscar, Costa Hazard.

Leicester City

Possible XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton, Mahrez; Slimani, Vardy.

Premier League