Leicester v Chelsea: Another defeat for Leicester as tough start continues

Leicester v Chelsea
Saturday, 15:00

Credible defeats will not be good enough for Shakespearean saga to continue

The fixture computer has not been kind to Leicester, conjuring up an opening four games that have included Arsenal, Manchester United and now Chelsea.

Leicester lost their games away at the Emirates and Old Trafford but were competitive in both fixtures and were especially unlucky against Arsenal. Yet one cannot expect a board that was unsentimental enough to sack Claudio Ranieri to give much credence to circumstance.

Craig Shakespeare did well to lift the Foxes out of the mire last season, but you suspect that his team will have to enjoy a good campaign if he is to retain the continued support of the club's owners over the long-term. It's important then that Leicester start putting some points on the board, in a month where Liverpool will visit the King Power Stadium and face potentially tricky away trips to Huddersfield and Bournemouth.

Robert Huth and Vicente Iborra have so far been unavailable to Shakespeare this season, while new signing Adrien Silva may not be able to play until January, after Leicester missed the deadline to register the player.

Conte has fresh options for trip to Leicester

An opening day defeat at home to Burnley suggested that there was the potential for another meltdown at Chelsea in the season following a title triumph, but they have since bounced back with two impressive victories.

Beating Spurs away and an Everton team that took a point away from home against Manchester City, are notable scalps. Chelsea's squad does look thin considering that they must now defend their title and also compete in the Champions League, but unfortunately for Leicester this match comes before - not after - a midweek Champions League tie.

Key to Chelsea's hopes this season is the form of new signing Alvaro Morata. With Diego Costa having been frozen out, his fellow Spanish international Morata has to hit the ground running. So far he's delivered, scoring in two of his three Premier League appearances.

Antonio Conte could have the opportunity to select Eden Hazard for the first time this season, after the Belgian featured for his country during the international break. There could also be debuts for new signings Davide Zappacosta and the former Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater.

Chelsea may have to wait for a late win

Chelsea are the 1.81 favourites to win, with the draw at 3.95 and a Leicester victory priced at 5.00.

It's hard to look past a Chelsea win, but it's a short price considering that Leicester ran both Arsenal and Manchester United close.

An alternative option which could deliver is the Draw Half-Time/Chelsea Full-Time double result at 5.00. Leicester have been drawing at half-time in three of their four matches this season.

Foxes are dangerous in the box

Over 2.5 goals is the narrow favourite at 1.92, with unders at 2.02.

Since Shakespeare took charge of Leicester they have played 16 Premier League games, which have been evenly split between over and under 2.5 goals. This is perhaps a market to avoid then.

Instead look towards Both Teams To Score at 1.80, as over the same period Leicester have found the net in 14 of their 16 games. The Both Teams To Score and Chelsea Win double is another to consider at 3.75.

Morata favourite to strike again

As mentioned previously, Morata has made a good start to his Chelsea career. He's the favourite to find the net at 2.20.

For Leicester, it's unsurprisingly Jamie Vardy that's rated as most likely to score at a price of 3.45.

Recommended Bets

Back the draw half-time/Chelsea full-time double result at 5.00
Back both teams to score at 1.80