Enzo Maresca set to return to Leicester as Chelsea look to move closer to Premier League leaders: predicted line-ups and talkSPORT comments

Enzo Maresca will return to Leicester for the first time since leaving for Chelsea this weekend as his side aim to move closer to the top two of the Premier League.

The 'bleus' travel to the King Power Stadium after drawing against Arsenalwith the possibility of putting some pressure on their title rivals. city ​​of manchester and Liverpool.

Maresca won the Championship with city ​​of leicester last season, planning their promotion to the top flight at the first moment they asked for it.

But he is now back in charge of a potential title challenger as the Foxes find themselves perilously close to the relegation zone under Steve Cooper.

Leicester were beaten by Manchester United in their last match before the international break and will now need to get a positive result to lift their spirits.

Leicester vs Chelsea: Enzo's return

Maresca is likely to have a great reception at the King Power.

After a dismal 2022/23 campaign ended in relegation, Leicester desperately needed to get back to the big time immediately.

And that's exactly what the former Manchester City assistant delivered, implementing his dominant tactics instantly and leading the Foxes to promotion.

His performance in his first managerial role in England was expected to lead to some high-quality suitors and one of them was Chelsea.

With a points deduction looming and an opportunity too good to turn down, Maresca made the jump from the East Midlands to London in the summer.

Of course, the deduction never came after Leicester won their appeal, but that was not predicted, and not many blame him for making the decision after just a year.

Fans are therefore likely to welcome last season's enjoyable and crucial campaign when the Italian steps onto the bench for the first time since leaving.

5

• After a six-game unbeaten run against Chelsea in the Premier League between 2018 and 2021 (W2 D4), Leicester have lost four of their last five against the Blues (D1).
• Chelsea have lost just one of their last seven Premier League away games against Leicester (W4 D2), winning their last two visits by an aggregate score of 6-1.

Leicester vs Chelsea: predicted lineups

Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu returned early from international duty with potentially serious injuries and are expected to miss Leicester.

Jaime Vardy He also has a problem, but he has been training this week and could be ready to return to the lineup.

The Foxes legend will lead the line if fit, but in-form Facundo Buonanotte is suspended and will not take part.

Stephy Mavididi is expected to play on the left, while due to Ayew's injury and Buonanotte's suspension, Bilal El Khannouss is likely to start.

However, Cooper may choose to change his system, with Wilfred Ndidi, Harry winks and Boubakary Soumare could start as a midfield three, just as they did against Man United.

In defence, Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard will likely start at centre-back, James Justin and Victor Kristiansen at full-back and Mads Hermansen in goal.

5

As for Chelsea, they could be forced to make a couple of changes.

Robert Sanchez is the clear number one, while former Fox Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill will take on the centre-back roles in front of him.

Captain James Reece He can come in at right-back in place of Malo Gusto, who retired from international duty, meaning Marc Cucurella will be on the left.

In midfield, Moisés Caicedo has starred this season and Romeo Lavia has recovered, but the latter is a doubt due to injury.

So former Leicester star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could face his former club, although it is likely to be Enzo Fernandez sitting behind the Pedro Neto-shaped trio. Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke.

Jadon Sancho is back in form, while up front, Nicholas Jackson continues to keep Christopher Nkunku out of the team.

5

• Chelsea duo Cole Palmer (12 chances created) and Noni Madueke (5) have created more chances between them than any other pair of teammates in the Premier League so far this season (17).
• Wilfred Ndidi has made more touches in the opposition box (33) and provided more assists (4) in the Premier League than any other Leicester player this season. His four assists come from just nine chances created.

Leicester vs Chelsea: What has been said?

Before the international break, Maresca spoke of his joy at the fact that Chelsea are in third place and potentially challenging for the title.

After the 1-1 draw against Arsenal last game, he said: “It's nice, especially for the fans after the last year hasn't been very good, or at least what this club is used to. “It sure is something nice.”

The Blues boss also compared his team's latest league results to those of the Gunners, who have been close to glory in recent seasons.

He added: “For me, we are behind this type of club (Arsenal) because they have worked every day for the last nine years with the same coach.

“That doesn't mean that when we face them we won't compete. We try to win the game.

“Very soon we will win these types of games.”

5

• Leicester are winless in their last 13 Premier League games against teams that start the day in the top four of the table (D3 L10) since a 1-0 win against Liverpool in December 2021. They have conceded 35 goals In these 13 games, an average of 2.7 per game.
• Chelsea have won just one of their last seven Premier League games immediately after an international break (D3 L3), beating Bournemouth 1-0 earlier this season.

Leicester vs Chelsea: talkSPORT coverage

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, November 23.

Kick-off at King Power Stadium is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

talkSPORT will have LIVE, EXCLUSIVE coverage of the game hosted by Reshmin Chowdhury.

The comment will come from Sam Matterface and former England striker Darren Bent.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through the talkSPORT appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

There will also be regular updates to the game on our dedicated Premier League blog.

Meanwhile, TNT Sports will broadcast the match live on television.