By Alex Roberts
Enzo Maresca returns to the King Energy Stadium for the primary time since guiding Leicester again to the to the promised land final season as strain builds on his predecessor Steve Cooper.
Neither membership is in significantly good type. Chelsea are winless in three video games domestically whereas Leicester have misplaced three of their final 4 throughout all competitions. Not like Cooper’s aspect, nevertheless, Chelsea have had luck on their aspect as golf equipment round them falter.
Enzo Fernández lastly discovering some type
It’s been a tricky begin to the season for the Argentinian, shedding his place in Maresca’s most well-liked league XI to Roméo Lavia and his fellow £100millon+ man Moisés Caicedo beginning to present precisely why Chelsea spent the massive bucks.
Fernández changed Lavia of their 1-1 draw with Arsenal earlier than the break after the teen picked up a knock, offering the help for Pedro Neto’s equaliser. Lavia stays a doubt going into the sport on Saturday, simply as Fernández was seemingly discovering his toes.
With 5 assists in his final 4 video games for membership and nation, the central midfielder could have turned a nook. Even when three of them had been within the 8-0 thrashing of FC Noah.
Strain rising on Steve Cooper
Given his historical past with rivals Nottingham Forest, successful over the Leicester devoted was at all times going to be tough for Cooper. The easiest way to get them on his aspect can be to win video games, sadly that’s not occurred.
All of the momentum earned from their consecutive victories over Bournemouth and Southampton appears to have gone out the window. Star man Jamie Vardy was closely missed of their 3-0 defeat to Man United as Leicester didn’t convert any of their 5 photographs on course whereas conceding all three of United’s.
We’re heading into the time of yr the place Chairmen and girls up and down the nation begin to take a look at their membership’s season and consider. Cooper’s job gained’t rely on outcomes in opposition to golf equipment like Chelsea, however a degree wouldn’t harm.
A variety headache for Enzo Maresca forward of his return
Maresca has a type of ‘good issues’ individuals wish to go on about. The wealth of expertise accessible to him makes him the envy of managers in every single place but it surely’s an issue none the much less.
The likes of João Félix and Christopher Nkunku have barely featured within the Premier League thus far, regardless of the latter being the membership’s prime objective scorer. Each have impressed with the restricted alternatives they’ve been handed and maintaining them completely happy might be on the prime of Maresca’s to-do listing.
There was little proof to counsel it would occur, given the supervisor’s seemingly stringent two-squad system, however a recreation in opposition to opposition like Leicester is the right alternative for Maresca to provide just a few different gamers a run out.
Prediction
Chelsea are seemingly higher than Leicester in each space so soccer logic dictates that this has a 1-1 draw written throughout it!
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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