CHELSEA travel to Leicester on Tuesday night in the Premier League. Tom Love (@TomLove_18) shares his betting thoughts.
Leicester vs Chelsea | Tuesday 19th January 2021, 20:15 | Sky Sports
It should be an entertaining affair at the King Power on Tuesday night as two of the Champions League battlers go toe-to-toe. Leicester currently sit 6 points clear of Chelsea and it would be a real statement of intent if they were to stretch that to 9 points with a win here, interestingly they’re still rated as outsiders despite their superior record.
Chelsea looked unconvincing once more as they struggled to a 1-0 win against 10-man Fulham at the weekend, that was only their second win of their last 7 in the league and it stopped a 3-game losing run away from Stamford Bridge.
They will take heart from the Foxes’ topsy-turvy home record but I’m not sure they can be backed as favourites here. Frank Lampard seemed to strike a balance in a 4-3-3 system a month or two ago but it seems like too many cooks spoil the broth for the Blues.
Christian Pulisic thrives on the left of a 3 but Lampard is persisting with an out of form Timo Werner there, in my opinion a front three of Pulisic, Giroud and Ziyech with Mason Mount supporting them from midfield would be the ideal set up.
Leicester seem to have a good balance and having Wesley Fofana fit is key as he adds much needed pace to a cumbersome backline. Wilfred N’didi is a huge player for the Foxes and him holding with Youri Tielemans and James Maddison in front of him looks a serious midfield trio. Harvey Barnes has shone this season and is surely putting his name in the frame for a spot in the England squad for the summer.
Looking at the betting, I’m surprised you can get Leicester with a +0.25 start on the Asian handicap at a backable 5/6, I’d of had this as a pick em in the 1X2 but the hosts being as big as 2/1 for the win brings in the quarter ball.
I’ll also chance a bigger price here in the props market. Betfair and Paddy Power have boosted Barnes, Maddison and Mount all to have a shot on target to 6/1 and it looks worthy of a few quid at those quotes. All three scored at the weekend, Mount has had shots on target in back to back games, Barnes has had a shot on target in 10 of his last 12 starts and Maddison is on free kicks and has had 7 shots on target in his last 6 starts in all competitions.
Best Bets
Leicester vs Chelsea – Leicester +0.25 Asian Handicap (5/6 Betfair Exchange)
Leicester vs Chelsea – Harvey Barnes, Mason Mount and James Maddison each to have 1 or more shots on target (6/1 Paddy Power)
