Leicester v Chelsea: Can the Foxes pull off another shock at the King Power?

Big-guns bring out the best in Ranieri and co

The Foxes hadn’t been shy about spending money to stay in England’s top tier, but their riches fail to compare with the true elite.

Yet, on their triumphant surge to the title, the King Power club stormed to successes over all of Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City at least once, while also picking points off Manchester United.

Next guests the Blues did dominate Leicester at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, but failed on two attempts to get past them last term. A draw is 14/5 to come off.

Kante well known at King Power

It is a first return to the King Power for N’Golo Kante, aside from an EFL Cup clash in which he failed to get off the bench, since his summer switch to the blue team in London.

And, it goes without saying that the energetic midfielder is well known down Filbert Way and Ranieri will surely hope to silence his former protege on the pitch. If anyone knows how to keep a lid on the enforcer, it is the Italian tactician that helped propel him to such heights.

Ranieri spoke recently of Kante’s time at Stamford Bridge, stating: “I’m not surprised at how well he’s done at Chelsea, but he could play better with us.

“Here he was better suited. He was our battery.”

If the Roman can limit Kante, would still doesn’t boast a perfect partner at the Blues, there is room for a scrap in the middle of the park – and one that Leicester could win.

Chelsea formula found out?

In that 2-0 result, Tottenham tactician Mauricio Pochettino nullified Antonio Conte’s wing backs and forwards and congested the middle of the pitch.

Once a system has been beaten, doubts and cracks can creep in. So, Ranieri will be aiming to match his Spurs counterpart by producing another trick from up his sleeve to stop Chelsea. It now appears a not-so daunting task, and there is a nifty 9/1 price for Leicester to win and both teams score.

FA Cup success could start something

But, as they proved last time out in the FA Cup, as the Foxes fought back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 thanks to a brace from Ahmed Musa (14/5 to net again anytime) it is always wrong to underestimate them.

Chelsea are a different kettle of fish to the Toffees but, with speedster Jamie Vardy (13/5) back from a ban and undoubtedly seeking to expose the Blues’ backline with his pace, anything could happen.

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