Chelsea v Leicester City Betting Preview 18/08/2019

Frank Lampard always knew that managing Chelsea was going to be a huge challenge. He has just one season’s experience of first team management and is unable to put his own stamp on the squad due to a transfer ban.

He probably didn’t think that his start to life as Chelsea manager would be quite so punishing though.

Lampard believes that Chelsea were the best side for most of their Premier League match against Manchester United and the Super Cup against Liverpool. And yet, the Blues were beaten 4-0 at Old Trafford and suffered the pain of a penalty shoot-out loss in Istanbul.

It’s not going to get any easier for Lampard and Chelsea in their first home match of the season. Leicester are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. They’ve been widely tipped to have a very good season and look well-placed to secure a positive result in West London.

Leicester’s Pace Gives Them a Great Chance

In his assessment of the loss to Manchester United, Lampard said that individual mistakes cost his team dearly at Old Trafford. That’s true to a point but doesn’t tell the whole story.

Chelsea were far too open at times last weekend, allowing the pacey United forwards too much time and space in which to operate. They were similarly open at times against Liverpool on Wednesday night which has some Leicester fans licking their lips.

Brendan Rodgers has done a very good job of imposing his own ideas of how football should be played on the Leicester squad whilst making the most of the qualities of the players he inherited. Leicester can hurt any team when given the chance to break forward with pace, and they’ll certainly get chances against Chelsea unless the home side tighten up considerably in defence.

The lack of training time and the stamina sapping effects of the Super Cup and associated travel suggests that Chelsea won’t be any different defensively. That leads us to two bets. The first is on the Leicester/draw double chance which is very generously priced at 11/10 with bet365. The second is on the away side to score over 1.5 goals at 3/1 with 888Sport.

Chelsea’s Forwards to Ensure an Entertaining Match

Although Chelsea do look to have problems in defence, they are looking pretty good at the other end of the pitch. Lampard has to choose which of Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud will be his main man through the middle but there is no doubting the quality of the supporting cast.

Buoyed by the support of a full house at Stamford Bridge it is very difficult to imagine that Chelsea will fail to breach the Leicester defence so a bet on both teams to score should be a relatively safe one at 10/11 with Betfred.

Christian Pulisic is one of Chelsea’s forwards to have really caught the eye in the very early stages of the season. The American became an important part of Borussia Dortmund’s at a very young age and the 20-year-old looks destined for the top.

His performance in the Super Cup was reminiscent of Eden Hazard at times. It’ll be some time before he can fill the Belgian’s boots but Pulisic can start winning over the Stamford Bridge faithful by scoring on Sunday at 5/2 with Paddy Power.

Betting Tips

Leicester/draw double chance at 11/10 with bet365

Leicester to score over 1.5 goals at 3/1 with 888Sport

Both teams to score at 10/11 with Betfred

Christian Pulisic to score at 5/2 with Paddy Power

Having now read our Chelsea v Leicester City betting preview it is now time to place your bets. When looking at tips we check all the best UK bookies to make sure you get the best betting odds possible. Get the best betting returns you can is one way to make sure you’re getting the best value you can but there are also free bets you can use. Most online bookies offer free bets and welcome bonuses for new customers and our sister site lists all the best UK free bets waiting for you to claim. So check out these free bet offers and start winning with the bookmakers money and not yours.