Match Preview: Chelsea vs. Leicester City

Despite the size of the task in front of them, the confidence will be growing within the City squad after they became the only newly-promoted side to pick up a point on opening weekend. It wasn’t just the 2-2 score that impressed, but the way they twice battled back from behind under pressure from an excellent Everton team. 

The Foxes last faced The Pensioners in the FA Cup quarter-final, when a stunning long-range effort from Ben Marshall wasn’t enough to advance to Wembley, with City eventually losing 5-2, which included a double from current Chelsea hitman Fernando Torres. 

Midfield duo Danny Drinkwater (hamstring) and Matty James (shin) will miss the trip to Chelsea along with Matthew Upson (foot), but Pearson could welcome back the pair of Marc Albrighton (groin) and Jamie Vardy (thigh), which would be a welcome boost ahead of a tough game. 

Chelsea opened the season in their typical fast-paced fashion, easing to a 3-1 victory at Turf Moor over fellow Premier League newcomers Burnley. 

Summer signing Diego Costa, recruited from La Liga Champions Atletico Madrid, fired his side back into the game from close range following a net-bursting opener from Claret defender Scott Arfield. And two goals in 13 minutes from Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic sealed the victory but the star of the night fell to another new arrival.

Cesc Fabregas, who joined from Barcelona for a reported fee of £30 million, superbly set up two of the goals and looks to be one of the main men to watch this campaign. 

On top of the performances of his new arrivals, Mourinho also has a fully fit squad to call upon for the visit of the Foxes as they look to mount a sustained title challenge in a season that they are many pundits tip for top spot. 

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said after the 2-2 draw against Everton on Saturday: “I think we deserved something out the game – there was an element of misfortune in both their goals in the sense that Kasper made a great save from the initial melee from the corner but you’ve got to give them credit for the finish. 

“The second one, again was a deflection in off the bar so I thought we’d done ever so well to respond to the initial goal to come back within a minute or so I think is a testament to the players’ spirit. 

“I think for the fans, as well having a full house, them seeing a fully committed display with quality at times against a very good side was good. 

“We have to build on the performance really. There’s been a lot of talk about how difficult the opening fixtures are but if we go into any game with not just the game understanding but their own belief in what we’re about I think we can do very well this year.” 

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho told chelseafc.com after the 3-1 victory at Burnley: “We had a good reaction - the first part of that reaction was that we were not emotionally affected by the goal we conceded. We kept playing according to the way we are training and the way we want to play. The players were very calm and never lost their composure. They never lost the football idea. 

“After that we had a fantastic 20 minutes with three goals. The second goal especially was a fantastic goal. Plus there was the penalty that the linesman decided not to give. 

“In the second half we had control of the game. I was a bit afraid because I know my players are not in the top physical form ready to give the same kind of performance for 90 minutes, so we lost a little bit of attacking appetite, but the control of the game and of possession was always there. 

“I think we clearly deserved these three points against a side that is going to give a fight to everyone that comes here.” 

Head-To-Head (All Competitions)

City: 24 

Draws: 29 

Chelsea: 49 

Last three meetings 

Chelsea 5-2 City 

FA Cup 

Sunday 18 March 2012 

Goals: Cahill 12, Kalou 17, Torres 67, 85, Meireles 90; Beckford 77, Marshall 88 

Chelsea 4-3 City 

League Cup 

Wednesday 31 October 2007 

Goals: Lampard 20, 29, 90, Shevchenko 87; McAuley 6, Campbell 69, Cort 74 

City 0-4 Chelsea 

Premier League 

Saturday 11 January 2004 

Goals: Hasselbaink 12, 44, Mutu 88, Babayaro 90 

Eden Hazard cemented his reputation as one of the genuine stars of the Premier League last season with a string of superb performances for Mourinho’s men - scoring 14 league goals, including a hat trick in a 3-0 win against Newcastle United. 

The Belgian winger lit up the league and is set to have another productive campaign in an attacking midfield consisting of Oscar, Fabregas, Willian and Schurrle. 

Despite new arrival Fabregas stealing the show in their opening Premier League game against Burnley, Hazard played over 80 minutes of football in a typically solid performance. 

Fresh from the World Cup, Hazard will again look to show why The Blues paid a reported £32 million from Ligue 1 outfit Lille in January 2012.