The exciting English Premier League action continues on Matchday 28 with an entertaining fixture between two former league winners as Chelsea play host to Leicester City. The match is scheduled to take place at the Stamford Bridge in London on the 8th of March, 2025.
The Blues coached by former Leicester City manager, Enzo Maresca have had a very impressive start to the 2024/25 season.
After enduring disappointing spells since Todd Boehly and the Clearlake company took over in 2022, the Italian coach has been able to steady the ship and make the Blues a team to fear in the English league. They finished the 2023/24 season in sixth place which ensured that they qualified for the UEFA Conference League.
Enzo Maresca became the sixth manager to be in charge of the Blues since the takeover when he replaced former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino who was sacked at the end of last campaign. The Italian joined weeks after leading Leicester City to promotion back to the English Premier League by winning the EFL Championship.
In the summer, they continued their free-spree spending which had become a habit since Todd Boehly took over. They made thirteen new signings, spending over £200 million.
Key arrivals included Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Jadon Sancho (in a season-long loan deal from Manchester United), Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders. The likes of Estevao Willian and Aaron Anselmino were also signed from South American clubs but are expected to join up with the squad in 2025.
Key departures included Romelu Lukaku who joined Napoli, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher who left for Atletico Madrid and Omari Hutchinson who joined Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
razilian legend Thiago Silva moved back to his native country at the end of his contract while former Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling joined London rivals Arsenal on a season-long loan deal. Hakim Ziyech left at the end of his contract while Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah joined Premier League sides on loan till the end of the season.
As of the time of writing, the Blues are second on the English top flight standings and are just two points behind league leaders, Liverpool who have a game in hand. They are on a seven-match winning streak and have not lost in all competitions since October.
Chelsea began the league campaign against current champions, Manchester City but were condemned to a 2-0 loss as goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic secured the victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. Their first league win of the season was a comfortable 6-2 victory over Wolves at the Molineux on Matchday two.
This season, they have gathered 34 points from 16 matches, with ten wins, four draws, and just two losses in the league all season.
In the EFL cup, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Newcastle United, suffering a 2-0 loss away at the St James’ Park. They prepare to face lower league side Morecambe in the third round of the Emirates FA cup on the 12th of January, 2025. In the UEFA Conference League, they have had a perfect start with five wins out of five. They have fifteen points and their most convincing performance was a 8-0 dismantling of Noah.
Leicester City on the other hand, are back in the English Premier League after suffering relegation. They are under their second manager of the season, as Steve Cooper who replaced championship-winning manager Enzo Maresca was sacked after some disappointing results.
Cooper has now been replaced by former Manchester United assistant manager, Ruud Van Nistelrooy. After securing promotion back to the top flight, they were active in the transfer market, as they looked to bolster their squad. They signed midfielder Oliver Skipp from Tottenham Hotspur, while Jordan Ayew also joined the club from Crystal Palace. Facundo Buonanotte also joined the club from Brighton and Hove Albion on loan till the end of the season.
Enzo Maresca’s most trusted midfielder, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined his former boss at Chelsea, while Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho left after his contract was not renewed. Marc Albrighton retired at the end of the previous season while Harry Souttar left the club to join championship club Sheffield United on loan till the end of the season.
As of the time of writing, the Foxes are currently 17th on the table with fourteen points from sixteen matches. They have won three games, drawn five games and lost eight times in the league this season.
They began the season with an interesting 1-1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Unfortunately for them, they were defeated on matchday two by Fulham. They had to wait until matchday seven before enjoying their first win of the season, a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Their most recent match was a 4-0 thrashing, suffered at the hands of Newcastle United in what was new manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy first defeat in charge. In the EFL cup, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Manchester United with Ruud Van Nistelrooy the manager for the Red Devils in that match, as they suffered a 5-2 embarrassing loss. They prepare to face Championship side QPR in the FA cup third round on the 11th of January, 2025.
Recent meetings between both sides have favored the Blues who have won four of the past five meetings with one ending in stalemate. The first meeting between both sides this season ended in a winning return for Enzo Maresca as Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners at the King Power Stadium.
Match tickets
The exciting match at the Stamford Bridge in London kicks off on the 8th of March, 2025.
The magnificent 40,341-capacity stadium in London with its electrifying atmosphere will be ready to host this fixture.
Getting Chelsea vs Leicester City tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team News
As of the time of this writing, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are currently injured and out of action.
Predicted Lineup:
Chelsea: Sanchez(GK), Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
As of the time of this writing, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira are all currently injured and out of action.
Predicted Lineup:
Leicester City: Hermansen(GK), Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Choudhury, Skipp, McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Vardy.
Prediction
Chelsea are a rejuvenated side under Enzo Maresca and have the quality and depth to trouble any team any day.
The likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson are dangerous on their day and Leicester City will hope to avoid a damaging defeat. Get your Chelsea tickets on time.
Chelsea 3-1 Leicester City
Main photo credit: IMAGO / Action Plus