Enzo Maresca will return to Leicester for the first time since leaving for Chelsea this afternoon as his side aim to close in on the Premier League’s top two.
The Blues travel to the King Power Stadium following a draw against Arsenal, with the chance to put some pressure on title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
Maresca won the Championship with Leicester City last season, masterminding their promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
But now he’s back in charge of a potential title challenger while the Foxes sit dangerously close to the relegation zone under Steve Cooper.
Leicester were beaten by Manchester United in their last game before the international break and they will now need to get a positive result after it to lift spirits.
Leicester vs Chelsea: Enzo returns
Maresca will likely get a great reception at the King Power.
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After a dismal 2022/23 campaign ended in relegation, Leicester desperately needed to get back in the big time straight away.
And that’s exactly what the former Man City assistant delivered, implementing his dominant tactics instantly and leading the Foxes to promotion.
His performance in his first managerial role in England expectedly led to some high-quality suitors and one of those was Chelsea.
With a points deduction looming and the opportunity too good to turn down, Maresca made the jump from the East Midlands to London in the summer.
Of course, the deduction never came after Leicester won their appeal, but that was not predicted, and not many blame him for making the move after only a year.
So, fans are likely to say their thanks for an enjoyable and crucial campaign last season when the Italian steps out into the dugout for the first time since leaving.
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- After a six-game unbeaten run against Chelsea in the Premier League between 2018 and 2021 (W2 D4), Leicester have now lost four of their last five against the Blues (D1).
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last seven Premier League away games against Leicester (W4 D2), winning their last two visits by an aggregate score of 6-1.
Leicester vs Chelsea: Teams
Starting XI: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen, McAteer, Soumaré, Winks, El Khannouss, Ndidi, Vardy (c)
Subs: Ward, Coady, Thomas, Choudhury, Skipp, De Cordova-Reid, Mavididi, Ayew, Daka
Chelsea: Sanchez, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Felix, Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Tosin, Veiga, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, Mudryk, Nkunku
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- Chelsea duo Cole Palmer (12 chances created) and Noni Madueke (5) have created more chances for each other than any other pair of teammates in the Premier League so far this season (17).
- Wilfred Ndidi has had more touches in the opposition box (33) and provided more assists (4) in the Premier League than any other Leicester player this season. His four assists have come from just nine chances created.
Leicester vs Chelsea: What has been said?
Maresca confirmed the injury to James in his press conference.
He explained: “We have for sure just one injured player and that’s Reece.
“He unfortunately felt something small and we don’t want to take a risk for the weekend. The rest are better or a doubt.”
The Italian added: “Hopefully it is not something long. He felt something, he has to be out and then we’ll see.
“It’s his hamstring, a muscle problem.”
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- Leicester are winless in their last 13 Premier League games against sides starting the day in the top four of the table (D3 L10) since a 1-0 win against Liverpool in December 2021. They’ve conceded 35 goals in these 13 games, an average of 2.7 per game.
- Chelsea have won just one of their last seven Premier League games immediately following an international break (D3 L3), beating Bournemouth 1-0 earlier this season.
Leicester vs Chelsea: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, November 23.
Kick-off at the King Power Stadium is scheduled for 12:30pm.
talkSPORT will have live and EXCLUSIVE coverage of the game presented by Reshmin Chowdhury.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England striker Darren Bent.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Regular updates of the game will be on our dedicated Premier League blog too.
Meanwhile, TNT Sports will broadcast the match live on TV.
Leicester vs Chelsea: talkSPORT BET Odds
Match odds:
Leicester – 5/1
Draw – 17/5
Chelsea – 9/20
*odds subject to change
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