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Premier League | Gameweek 2
Aug 18, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
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How Chelsea could line up against Leicester City

:Headline: How Chelsea could line up against Leicester City: ID:368263: from db_amp
Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up for Sunday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from their humiliating 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester United in their opening game as they return to Premier League action against Leicester City.

The Blues were also beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the final of the UEFA Super Cup last time out after a 2-2 draw, with striker Tammy Abraham missing the decisive spot-kick.

Frank Lampard may well have tired legs to contend with following his side's exertions in Istanbul, with 120 minutes played prior to the shootout.

The former Derby County boss' tough start to life in the Stamford Bridge dugout continues as he faces a visit from a Leicester side that Chelsea have failed to beat in their last two meetings, having lost 1-0 in London when the Foxes visited last December.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up for Sunday's showdown.



Out: Reece James (ankle), Marco van Ginkel (ACL), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles tendon), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Achilles tendon)
Doubtful: Antonio Rudiger (meniscus), Andreas Christensen (knock), Willian (knee)

Kepa Arrizabalaga will almost certainly continue in goal, but the identity of the back four ahead of him - particularly the centre-backs - is less clear.

If Lampard opts against resting what appears to be his first-choice full-back pairing of Cesar Azpilicueta and Emerson Palmieri, then it seems unlikely that Davide Zappacosta or Marcos Alonso will be handed a start.

However, Andreas Christensen is a doubt after hobbling off with an injury in the 85th minute of the Super Cup defeat and being replaced by Fikayo Tomori next to Kurt Zouma. Antonio Rudiger was on the bench that night but is still returning to full fitness and it could be that the former Derby County loanee partners Zouma at the heart of defence against the Foxes.

Lampard switched to a 4-3-3 against Liverpool from the 4-2-3-1 he had employed in the 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford and the result was a much-improved performance. A partially-fit N'Golo Kante started and bossed the centre of the park, providing the running that allows Jorginho the time and space to perform his duties as a 'regista' at the base of midfield.

Despite the potential of tired legs, it seems unlikely that the Chelsea boss would change the personnel in what appears to be his strongest midfield trio, particularly as he is still seeking his first competitive victory as Blues manager. Mason Mount and Ross Barkley will be looking at Mateo Kovacic as the most displaceable member of the three, and will hope to earn a start ahead of him through their performances in training.

Further forward, with Callum Hudson-Odoi still out and Willian returning to fitness, it seems likely that Christian Pulisic and Pedro will continue on the flanks, with the Brazilian an option from the bench, while Lampard could give Abraham a vote of confidence despite his penalty miss and return him to the side in place Olivier Giroud up front.

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