After a two-week international break from Premier League football, Chelsea will get the campaign rolling again as they host the reign champions Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte made a critical change to the line-up last time out when he switched the defence to a three-man job instead of four, with David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta guarding in the heart of the defence allowing Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses take their space above from the wings.
The Blues have arrived at the Bridge, a little over an hour to go now… https://t.co/BS9ex4ksga
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 15, 2016
Captain John Terry returns from his ankle injury, but won’t be starting as the same back three remains. Chelsea are also missing out on Willian, who has been given some down time after losing his mother to cancer two days ago. Pedro steps in to replace him on the wing.
Leicester star man Riyad Mahrez is starting the game from the bench, while Jamie Vardy and Musa lead the line upfront.
Here are the full team line-ups…
Chelsea XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c), Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard.
Subs: Begovic, Aina, Terry, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Batshuayi, Solanke.
Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Hernández, Huth, Morgan (c), Fuchs, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Amartey, Schlupp, Musa, Vardy.
Subs: Zieler, King, Simpson, Slimani, Gray, Ulloa, Mahrez.
