Premier League champions Leicester face five-time EFL cup winners Chelsea in tomorrow night’s live game (7.45pm), in what’s undoubtedly the tie of the third round.
The Foxes, who are have a rich pedigree in this competition themselves, come into the contest brimming with confidence after landing back-to-back 3-0 victories in the space of three days. They’re to make it a third win on the bounce.
Chelsea on the other hand will see the game as a chance to pick up a much needed first win in three.
The Blues were stung by losing at home to Liverpool on Friday, which came on the back of a disappointing away draw away to Swansea.
All the latest EFL Cup odds are on PP.com
It will be interesting to see how Leicester’s somewhat-thin squad deal with a fourth game in ten days. In winning the Premier League last season the amount of rest time they had between games was a noticeable benefit to the Foxes.
You can expect much of the same for them, as Claudio Ranieri is unlikely to want to break up the burgeoning strike partnership of Islam Slimani and Jamie Vardy. Although Ron-Robert Zieler should continue to deputise for Kasper Schmeichel, who’s missing with a non-serious concussion issue.
Chelsea, who are favourites, are old hat at quick turnarounds and approach the match with an extra day’s rest, as well as no midweek fixture (unfortunately for them) from the previous week.
John Terry remains a major doubt for the Blues, so David Luiz may be called into action as cover again. The likes of new signings Marcos Alonso and Michy Batshuayi will probably also get a run out.
A slice of Slimani
After shelling out a massive £29.7m for Algerian frontman Slimani, Ranieri said, “I signed him because we needed another player” – but he seems like much more than that.
Slimani introduced himself to the faithful at the King Power Stadium with a brace of beautiful headers in the weekend’s win over Burnley. His prowess in the air, coupled with the sheer pace of Jamie Vardy looks like a recipe for Leicester success.
He is currently joint-favourite with Diego Costa to net the first goal of the cup tie in 90 minutes at and nifty number maybe from him to score anytime and Leicester to win which comes in at .
In the unlikely event he is rested, Leicester have an able deputy in Ahmed Musa waiting in the wings. The Nigerian is yet to score for the Foxes, but has looked highly dangerous in-and-around the box.
Landing one against the Blues would be a perfect way to open his account and at anytime to do just that, he could be worth punt.
Blazing Batshuayi
Young striker Batshuayi is one to watch for Chelsea.
A £33.2m signing in the summer from Marseille, the Belgium is depending on cup games and substitute appears to make a mark for the Blues at the moment.
He’s grabbed his chances with boot feet, setting up a winner for Costa against West Ham and scoring his first Premier League away at Watford.
He also has a brace to his name in this competition, netting twice against Bristol Rovers in the second round. You’ll find him at to land the first goal, but he could well be worth an anytime punt.