Chelsea hosts Leicester City in a match-up of two perennial top four contending clubs that now find themselves on the second page of the table. How did they get here? Well, both sides elicit a “what the hell are they doing this summer transfer window?” Just in completely opposite ways.
For the hosts, they’re spending money like water, but often on players who don’t fit Thomas Tuchel’s system, and probably don’t gel together as a unit either. Oh and they’re overpaying for most of them. As for Leicester, they’re the only club in all of the big five European leagues that have yet to buy a single new player this summer. Enough said.
Chelsea vs Leicester City FYIs
Kickoff: Sat. Aug 27, 3pm, Stamford Bridge
Team News for Both Sides: go here
After Extra Time Podcast: Spotify Apple
PL Position: Chelsea 12th, 4pts Leicester City 19th, 1pts
Form Guide: Chelsea LDW Leicester City LLD
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 68% Leicester City 19% Draw 13%
Thomas Tuchel is serving his penalties, being disciplined for his altercations with Antonio Conte and other “offenses” two weeks ago in the draw with Tottenham. For whatever bizarre reason, he just doesn’t rate Christian Pulisic, but the club won’t let him leave. We’re going to pick him in our first team here, despite this being a long shot, because hey, why not? Here’s the rest of the 3-4-3.
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction vs Leicester City
Mendy; Cucurella, Silva, James; Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Mount; Pulisic, Havertz, Sterling
Prediction: Chelsea FC 1, Leicester City 0
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.