Chelsea vs Leicester City
The 2017 Premier League Champions are set to take on the 2016 victors. The league top spot has been dominated by Blues for a while now and Chelsea and Leicester City have done their bit.
It might well be Manchester City who continue to fly the blue flag, but Chelsea will have a lot to say in the race for the title, and SBOBET football fans know that the more teams in the race, the more exciting the run-in will be. Meanwhile, Leicester City is still trying to find its true status. I’d say top seven place should be the Foxes’ target and I’m pretty sure the vast majority of their fans would be happy with that.
Reaching the top seven would mean finishing ahead of either Everton or Manchester United so there is little room for error, and a point a Stamford Bridge would be an unexpected bonus. But having gone unbeaten for so long, Maurizio Sarri’s resolve has been strengthened by two defeats.
Talking Points
Don’t talk about a two horse race in Chelsea
Is the title race really down to two already? Pundits, I included, have been quick to suggest it will be champions Manchester City and Liverpool battling it out come May. The Premier League 2018 betting markets tend to agree.
But while the canny coach Sarri is quite happy for all the attention to be on the North West, his team’s victory over Manchester City was one of the big Premier League 2018 results of the season so far. It was a tactical master-class by Sarri who watched his side soak up a lot of first half pressure before hitting a lethal blow with their first real effort. Chelsea piled on the pressure in the second half and ran out 2-0 winners.
That result means the Blues are eight points off the pace, it’s quite a gap but they aren’t entirely out of the race. A lot will depend on one man of course. Eden Hazard was the man on the spot to score the late winner against Bournemouth, which has given Chelsea a Carabao Cup semi-final spot. And Sarri desperately needs his talisman to stay fit and in form if he is to pick up some silverware in his first season in charge at the Bridge.
Leicester can still live with the best
The Foxes haven’t had the best of fortunes since their incredible Premier league triumph back in 2016, but they can still be a force to be reckoned with. Only this week Claude Puel’s side took Manchester City to penalties in a Carabao Cup tie, only to fluff their lines from 12 yards.
The manager has dismissed speculation that he is under pressure after a run of three defeats and just one win in six, but there are higher expectations at the Kingpower Stadium than before Claudio Ranieri’s 2016 miracle. There’s no denying the club will take time to recover from the terrible helicopter tragedy which tragically claimed the life of owner Vichai and four others. But the best tribute to him is to be successful on the pitch.
And there is no shortage of talent at Puel’s disposal. The giant Wilfred Ndidi alongside homegrown Hamza Choudhury is a formidable pair, while James Maddison has grabbed the headlines with his quick feet and spectacular dead ball skills.
In defence England centre-back Harry Maguire has a big game ahead of him and he knows full well what Hazard can do. Stop the Belgian star and the Foxes have half a chance.
History
Recent history has been kind to both these teams, with major triumphs fresh in the memory, but now they need to make their mark again. Chelsea fans demand some silverware, while a Europa League place would be a tremendous achievement for the Foxes.
But Puel’s team needs an upturn in form, and sharpish, with no wins in four. That is not Europa League form, but they will probably have to wait for another week. Chelsea has won its last four home games and with Manchester City as a scalp is looking upwards again.
The hosts are way ahead in head-to-heads. Chelsea has won 18 to Leicester’s four in the Premier League era, with six being drawn. And Sarris’ team has won five of the last six meetings, scoring 14 and conceding four.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Chelsea vs Leicester City | Chelsea First Half 1×2 @ 1.80 |
| December 22, 23:00 (GMT+8) |
Form points to a comfortable home win and I expect Chelsea to continue their momentum against a team disappointed that their midweek cup efforts went unrewarded. The Foxes came from behind against City and I expect them to be in a similar position come halftime on Saturday.
Both teams have plenty of goals in them. Eden Hazard has eight, Pedro six and Alvaro Morata five, whereas the Foxes’ artful dodger Jamie Vardy has five, as has the exciting talent Maddison. So for an alternative bet, then how about Over 2.75 goals at 1.91, or 4-6 goals at 3.00?
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
