Previews

With the international break over, Chelsea are back in Premier League action this weekend. They kick off the weekend in Saturday’s early game. Champions Leicester are the visitors to Stamford Bridge, can Antonio Conte’s men avoid going 2-0 down to the Foxes this time around? Hopefully the return of John Terry can stop that from happening again.

The Blues are seventh in the table after their win at Hull last time out. They’re just three points off fourth spot, and five behind leaders Manchester City. There’s also a five point gap between Conte’s side and Leicester, who are back in 12th. Their title defence is going about as well as Chelsea’s last term. Will their poor run continue here?

Leicester’s recent away games in the league have seen them lose heavily to both Liverpool and Manchester United. They are hardly going to be that confident heading to Stamford Bridge. What makes this trip even tougher is that Terry is finally back. But that fact might actually leave Conte with a few problems ahead of this clash.

The win over Hull saw the Blues line up in a 3-5-2 formation, a switch which they first used away to Arsenal the week before. The change worked well in the end, as the Tigers were comfortably beaten, despite some teething problems in the first half. However, that’s not a formation that Terry can slot into.

The centre-half likes to half a left-back close to him to cover any balls which get past him. Playing him beside a wing-back leaves him exposed, and can force the captain to take up a makeshift left-back role at times. That’s not something which would suit him, and it may actually cause more problems for the defence.

It’s pretty interesting that this fixture back in May was set to be Terry’s Stamford Bridge farewell. He ended up getting suspended for the match, and his contract was eventually renewed. Now he makes a return in the same fixture, with recent weeks proving just how valuable the captain is, even in his mid-thirties.

Basically, Conte has to either switch back to the back four, or leave Terry out completely. The coach also could have another option at the back, as Kurt Zouma is nearing a return. He’ll be back for selection next weekend at the latest, but he could feature here. The Frenchman has been missing since February, his return has been long awaited.

We trust the former Italy coach to make the most of his choices at the back. We’re backing the Blues to keep a clean sheet here, and record back to back victories. With a tough few weeks ahead, Conte could really do with three points on the board. They really can’t afford to fall much further off the pace in the race for the top four.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-0

After three league games without a win, Chelsea really need to gain three points at the KCOM Stadium. The players have had a week to reflect on their dismantling by Arsenal, but will they improve here? Antonio Conte has no doubt been drilling them defensively, so they’ve got to up their game at the back against the Tigers.

Hull have lost their last two games by a pretty heavy margin, which has seen them tumble down the table. After Arsenal beat them 4-1, they went to Anfield and lost 5-1. They still haven’t appointed a permanent manager, with Mike Phelan in caretaker charge so far. They have a very thin squad which doesn’t look up to it at this level, so this is a great opportunity for the Blues.

However, recent games have seen Conte’s men struggle. David Luiz and Gary Cahill were torn apart by Arsenal’s attack last week. The Blues have been given a boost with John Terry expected to return. Kurt Zouma isn’t too far away either, he could return in two to three weeks. That should lead to an improvement at the back, with more leadership and some competition for places.

Last weekend saw a move to 3-5-2 for Chelsea late in the game. Their issues seemed to be fixed by that tweak, but it’s unlikely we’ll see that formation in from the start here. While the switch seemed to give the Blues more options on the ball, it’s not one that John Terry can really play in.

Playing with wing backs leaves Terry exposed, as there’s no full back to his left. He’d also have a rampaging David Luiz to his left, which would leave him even more exposed. Conte isn’t going to leave the captain out after his return, and he won’t play in a fashion that makes the defender vulnerable. A return to the usual 4-1-4-1 is likely.

Despite back to back defeats, we probably won’t see too many changes from Conte. With neither Oscar or Cesc Fabregas really impressing in the league, he could slot Michy Batshuayi in and switch to his 4-2-4 formation. That does seem like a risky move given how poorly they’ve been at the back.

Despite Hull’s struggles, they need to be taken seriously. Their spirit led them to six points from their opening two games. While they were hammered in their last two league games, they’re facing very different opposition. Plus, the Blues struggled here two years ago on their way to the title. They had to work for a 3-2 victory.

If the Blues can remain focused, this is a great chance for them to take a much needed win. Terry’s return should make a big difference, and the Tigers aren’t packed with goals. If Conte figures out a way to keep Robert Snodgrass quiet, they’d struggle. We’re backing the Blues to edge this one, as they recover from their recent rough patch.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-1

Chelsea were leapfrogged by Arsenal last weekend, can they get their noses back in front with victory at the Emirates? There was little for the Blues to celebrate last term, but their double over Arsenal was a rare highlight. Even when they’re finishing 10th, they’re still recording wins over the Gunners. Can Conte’s side continue that tradition this weekend?

The Gunners know exactly how Chelsea were feeling last weekend. Liverpool won at the Emirates this season too, a 4-3 victory on the opening day. It’s hard to say which of the two defended worse against the Reds. Jurgen Klopp’s men are perfectly set up for big away games, this weekend’s fixture will be more to the liking of both of these teams, and the two coaches.

Conte against Wenger could be a fantastic battle. The two are very different in their styles on the touchline, it’s one of the many big managerial battles in the top flight this season. There’s a similar contrast to their styles as there was between Wenger and Jose Mourinho. Will there be the same kind of friction?

It’s likely to be a hard fought game, especially as Arsenal are back in form. The Gunners won 4-1 at Hull last weekend, as they recorded a third straight league win. While they’re getting points, they still look far too open when ahead. They were 2-0 up against 10 men at the KCOM in their last game, but they still let the Tigers back in the game with some poor defending. That said, they did keep a clean sheet in midweek in the EFL Cup, winning 4-0 at Forest.

You feel like the Blues have a chance here though, especially with Diego Costa playing well. However, they’ll have to deal with the heavy legs after extra time from Tuesday’s game. A pretty strong side started the clash at Leicester, while the rested stars ended up coming off the bench.

The Gunners had a much easier night in midweek and weren’t tested in that 4-0 success at Nottingham Forest. However, that’s probably balanced out by their extra Champions League commitments. Given how open the two sides have been lately, there’s a worry (not for the neutrals!) that this could be a crazy goalfest.

The likely return of John Terry should cancel that out. Having missed the last two matches, the captain is set to return here. While he was set to be a bit part player this term, recent shambolic defensive displays have highlighted his importance. In a crucial game like this, Terry will be needed.

The Blues are going through a pretty tough run at the minute, and this will probably be their biggest test. The Gunners come in with confidence, although they lack the grit to carve out a win. The Blues haven’t exactly been flying, they’ve toiled in their last couple of games. It’s hard to call this one, but a point here wouldn’t be a bad result for the Blues.

LCN Verdict: 1-1 draw

Chelsea have been handed a tough game in the EFL Cup Third Round, as they travel to Leicester. While the Premier League champions haven’t made the best of starts, they’re still dangerous opposition. Jose Mourinho lost his job after a 2-1 defeat here in December, can Antonio Conte fare any better?

Given the lack of European football this term, the cups carry even more importance. With only a handful of midweek games this year, there’s not really much excuse for heavy rotation in cup matches. The squad should be fresh enough to seriously compete on three fronts, especially given how short the League and FA Cup overlap is.

The disastrous season the club experienced last term should push the players on for silverware. The league will be the main aim, but there’s no reason for the Blues to shy away from cup games. A tie away to the Premier League champions makes this cup campaign even more interesting.

The Foxes will be focusing on cups this year, given their poor league start. Any slight hopes of repeating their incredible success last year have gone. Four points from their first four sees them eight points off the pace already. Their 4-1 defeat at Liverpool shows how much work they have to do. Their brilliant defence from last season has fallen apart.

Of course, Chelsea need to take some of the blame for Leicester’s woes. The signing of N’Golo Kante was fantastic business, but it was a hammer blow for the Foxes. The midfielder does the work of two holding players, he’s very difficult to replace. Things were always going to be difficult for Claudio Ranieri after the Frenchman departed the King Power.

Kante will have his work cut out for him on Tuesday, and not just from Leicester’s attackers. The holding midfielder will be covering for David Luiz, with the Brazilian prone to bursting out of defence. John Terry’s injury looks to keep him out for this one, although he probably would have been rested anyway.

Even though the Blues could name a strong side here, we’re expecting to see a few changes. Marcos Alonso could be in line for a start. The Bristol Rovers game in the Second Round saw quite a few changes, with Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa rested. We could see Michy Batshuayi and Victor Moses given starts here, after they stepped up for the star names.

This will be an interesting examination of Conte’s ambitions. Will he name his strongest side and push for a cup, or rest stars and focus on the league? We’re hoping for a happy medium, but that’s rarely something you get with Chelsea. Expect a good game, given how both have been scoring regularly so far this season. Hopefully the new manager forces his team to go for this one, as the EFL Cup is a winnable trophy for his team.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-1

Chelsea are back in Premier League action early this “weekend”, as they take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. The Blues dropped two points in their last game, but can they get back to winning ways? They’ll have to be careful here, as the Reds have shown they are capable of raising their game when they come face to face with the bigger sides in the division.

Blues fans will remember this fixture last season, when Jose Mourinho’s side were beaten 3-1. They had a 1-0 lead, but they sat back on it a little too much and were ultimately punished for it. If there’s any positives to take from the Swansea result, it’s that the same won’t happen this time around.

While Antonio Conte’s men did blow a lead against Swansea, it wasn’t through being too defensive. They didn’t take their chances to make it 2-0, and that is what cost them. Given that they have one of the best attacking records in the league, they shouldn’t worry too much about their scoring rate. Keep playing that well and the results will come.

Liverpool have shown flashes of brilliance under Jurgen Klopp this term – and in general – but that’s been their problem for a while now. They were good enough to go to City and win 4-1 last November, but they’ve struggled for consistency. A 4-1 win over Leicester last weekend showed what they’re capable of, but they also lost 2-0 at Burnley this season.

The Reds seem to perform better against better sides, when games are more even. They thrive when counter-attacking, but struggle with possession. They were completely dominant at Turf Moor, with over 80% of the ball, but they couldn’t find a way to score. Expect them to be better when they head to Stamford Bridge.

While Conte was expected to bring Italian defending, so far his side have recorded just one clean sheet. Their backline has been wildly open in the early games. That may change now the boss has more bodies to choose from in defence, but it’s hard to see David Luiz and Marcos Alonso making things any more solid than the current back four.

The Blues will have to guard against the counter, so expect Nemanja Matic to play slightly deeper this time around. He and N’Golo Kante will be key for the Blues here. Oscar will also have to put a shift in alongside those two in central midfield. The defence will need protection, but it may also need a few changes.

John Terry limped out of the Liberty Stadium, and he could miss this game given the tight turnaround. The Blues may have needed a change any way, given the pace of Sadio Mane and co. Luiz will need to keep his head if he does play, as the high Liverpool press could cause him problems.

This could be a pretty tough clash, the Reds are used to digging in for these bigger games. The Blues will have to do a lot to stop the attacking talent in Klopp’s side. They may have to sit a little deeper in this one, and because of that we’re backing a 1-1 draw.

LCN Verdict: 1-1 Draw

Could David Luiz make his second Chelsea debut this weekend? The Blues are away to Swansea as they return to Premier League action. It’s been 10 days since Luiz returned just ahead of the transfer deadline. Given the £30million plus price tag, you’d expect the Brazilian to be an automatic starter at the heart of the defence.

Swansea had a much quieter transfer window, they failed to replace captain Ashley Williams. The Welsh side rallied last term to reach safety, but they look set to struggle this year. Having sold star attacker Andre Ayew to West Ham, they’ve replaced him with middling talent from La Liga. The Swans have more than a few concerns at the minute, despite their opening day win at Burnley.

The Blues lost at the Liberty Stadium back in April though. Guus Hiddink’s side went down to a 1-0 defeat, thanks to a strike from Gylfi Sigurdsson. However, this hasn’t been a bad hunting ground for Chelsea. They won 5-0 here in January 2015 and 1-0 in April 2014. In fact, the loss earlier this year was the first they’ve suffered at this ground. Can they avoid another?

Antonio Conte has helped guide his team to a fantastic start. They’ve kept pace with the two Manchester clubs after winning every game so far. With the Manchester derby taking place on Saturday, this is a real chance for the 2014 champions to set out their title credentials. It would be a big leap from 10th last year, but after a near £120million transfer splurge it has to be a possibility.

Luiz should slot in at centre-half here, the usual back four probably needs a change. Marcos Alonso’s role in the side is a little less clear. He’ll either be benched as a reserve left-back, or he could start in place of Branislav Ivanovic. That would leave Cesar Azpilicueta free to switch back to the right hand side.

There are no injury problems, but one doubt for the game is Willian. He faces a World Cup qualifier for Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday morning. By the time he makes his way back from South America he might not be in shape to start in Wales. His compatriots Luiz and Oscar haven’t made the Brazil squad for that clash.

Conte isn’t likely to make drastic changes after the international break. He’s probably going to look to include many of the team who beat Burnley. From what the Swans have shown in preseason and in the early games, this shouldn’t be a difficult clash. Having lost key members of their team, you can see the Welsh side having a tough season ahead.

We can’t see past an away win here, given the Blues’ form. They’re starting to put last season behind them as they grind out victories. If Eden Hazard has carried his form from the previous game through the break, this should be a straightforward affair.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-0

Chelsea host Burnley on Saturday as they look to continue their perfect start to the new season. After three wins from three in all competitions, things are going pretty well for Antonio Conte’s team. Will they be able to carry that on against the newly promoted Clarets on Sunday? They are heading to London on the back of claiming a massive scalp – having beaten Liverpool 2-0 in their last league fixture.

The Blues could be without Willian, after the Brazilian missed the last two games. He’s been training as he aims to get back to full fitness after a calf injury, but this could come a little too soon for him. Long term absentee Kurt Zouma continues to miss out.

Without Zouma, expect to see little change at the back by Conte. His side may have conceded four times in three games so far, but he has few options at the back. With just five fit defenders, Conte is going to have to stick with the back four that has started the last two league games. Hopefully they’re being worked in training.

The defence will face a test this weekend, as Burnley are coming off the back of an impressive win. They beat Liverpool 2-0 at Turf Moor, with their forwards Sam Vokes and Andre Gray both opening their accounts for the season. Those two will relish playing a Chelsea defence which has yet to keep a clean sheet. Sean Dyche will be aiming to get the most out of his two strikers.

Given how Chelsea have slowed down at times in their opening few games, you have to worry about the damage Burnley could do. If given the opportunity, the Clarets could punish the Blues’ backline. League One Bristol Rovers caused them trouble in midweek, so they’re clearly not up to speed quite yet.

This game could see Conte starting with a 4-2-4. His favoured formation from early on in his career has saved the Blues’ blushes twice now. The switch has paid off against West Ham and Watford, and he did use it during the EFL Cup game in midweek. The only difference here would be that Michy Batshuayi would start alongside Diego Costa.

We’ve yet to see major changes from Conte, but a switch to two up front would be the first. The team have fallen into their old ways of slowing down in games that plagued both Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink last term. Playing with two high wingers and two men up front could be the gear shift that the side need at this stage.

With Conte just settling in and getting his men in shape, there was always going to be a slow start to the season. These early games have been a struggle, and that could continue here. Burnley won’t give the hosts an easy time here, we’re backing another 2-1 win. If Chelsea can keep getting the results, few will complain just yet if the performances aren’t also quite perfect.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-1

Chelsea are making an earlier than usual entrance to the League Cup, which has had a big rebranding over the summer. The Blues usually start this competition in September, but sides who don’t qualify for Europe join in the second round. Can they avoid an early upset against Bristol Rovers?

This clash against the League One side is a brand new experience for Antonio Conte. The Italian is used to having the Coppa Italia, but he has two domestic cups to negotiate this term. His first task is finding a way past League One outfit Bristol Rovers, which is going to be very different to his challenges so far.

Rovers have made a mixed start to life in the third tier, having made back to back promotions to get out of the National League. The Gas have won once in three clashes, but they dumped out Championship side Cardiff in the first round of the EFL Cup. They are eying up an even bigger giant killing at Stamford Bridge.

Following the Football League’s rebranding to become the EFL, they’ve also renamed their main cup competition. That links it closer with the league itself, but it’s hardly the most appealing of names. However, this is a trophy that the Blues have enjoyed in recent years, and it could be one Conte takes to.

Jose Mourinho’s first and second Chelsea spells were built on winning this trophy. The early final means sides who win it take confidence into the run in. It also gives the new manager a chance to get his first cup on the board quickly. That would be huge given he doesn’t have any European silverware to chase.

While it’s strange to think of players being rested after just two games, expect to see a much changed side for this clash. The established stars will probably sit this one out, with quite a few youngsters introduced. It gives Conte an opportunity to look at his fringe players, and could possibly prompt him to dive back into the transfer market.

Strangely, this is the first time these two sides have met, so this isn’t just a first for Conte. He’ll have to prepare to face a side that his team know little about, which is always tough. We’ve seen enough cup upsets at Stamford Bridge in recent years to know that anything can happen, so a win here can’t be taken for granted.

This isn’t the kind of tie the Blues want at this stage of the season, but it’s the first big reminder of last season’s disappointment. The club need to get refocused on delivering success, and that should start with a cup win. Hopefully the fans can move past this early return to cup again and push a much changed team to a much needed victory.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 4-1

Can Chelsea make it two wins from two when they head to Vicarage Road on Saturday? After a late victory against West Ham on Monday evening, Antonio Conte leads his side to face the other Italian arrival to the Premier League, Walter Mazzarri. The new Blues boss will be more than keen to get one over his compatriot. He’ll be hoping for an easier time of things than his side experienced on Monday night.

Conte’s men had to grow into the game against the Hammers, but they eventually took the three points. While there were a few worrying moments in that display, there are encouraging signs. Any team who is prepared to fight until the very last moments for points has spirit, and that’s something Chelsea missed last term. The new boss is already making improvements.

There won’t be much call for Conte to switch approach from the last match. His switch from 4-1-4-1 to 4-4-2 may have changed the game, but don’t expect to see Michy Batshuayi on the pitch from the start. That’s a partnership that will likely be worked on, one which will bloom later on. For now, there’s little reason to tinker with this team.

Watford started off the season with a 1-1 draw at Southampton, which isn’t the worst result. They kept their strong forward line of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney, lining up in a 3-5-2 formation. Chelsea didn’t have too many defensive problems on Monday, but their backline is starting to creek. Having started the past three seasons with the same four players, they look like they need some new blood.

Conte’s defence will be tested by Watford’s front two. Deeney may have come back from the break carrying a little weight, but he and Ighalo are Watford’s main threats. Playing against a front two will be a big test for Gary Cahill and John Terry, given how the pair performed last term. This year they have the bonus of N’Golo Kante protecting them.

The Frenchman was the only player to start against West Ham who wasn’t in the team on the opening day last term. While he was the only change, he signalled a different approach from Conte. Nemanja Matic played a box-to-box role in central midfield, while Oscar also dug in to defensive work in the middle of the park. That’s going to be needed to combat the work of Watford’s central midfield three.

Chelsea can expect a tough afternoon against the Hornets, going up against a defensively solid side with a strong front two. Conte is perfectly placed to deal with those problems, so we’re expecting a good display from the Blues. They drew 0-0 here last term under Guus Hiddink, there was little to report about that clash. This one could be similarly tight between two Italian coaches, but we’re backing the Blues to just edge it with a 1-0 victory.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 1-0

Chelsea are looking to put last season behind them in their Premier League opener. West Ham head to Stamford Bridge on Monday night after a busy summer, can they improve on their seventh placed finish last term? That was three spots above the Blues, but can Antonio Conte inspire a better campaign this time around?

After a lot of preseason experimenting, we still aren’t entirely sure how Conte plans to set up his side. Hopefully the manager has a clearer idea, but you feel like he’s not finished adding to his squad just yet. After just two summer signings, it does feel like more is needed. Especially if the Italian is planning to push forward with his preferred 4-2-4 formation.

We’ve seen some big switches so far, with Eden Hazard shaping up as a forward. The two in midfield look to be playing pretty deep, which suits Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante. Quite what that would mean for Oscar’s future is another story. With Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa pushing to start, going with two up front might suit this Chelsea side.

That could lead to a few goals, at both ends of the pitch. Conte hasn’t added at centre-half, and he’s still without Kurt Zouma. In an era of the Premier League where everyone is getting a star or two, the Blues might have some defensive troubles. West Ham have just had a fantastic season, and they’ve been busy adding to their squad. They’ve got depth, plus they are pairing Dimitri Payet up with Andre Ayew.

That attack might spell problems for this Chelsea team. Conte is picking from last season’s defence, so there’s unlikely to be any surprises. Thibaut Courtois should start in goal. In front of him will be Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Those five didn’t have the best of years last time out. Will Conte’s defensive acumen be enough to improve their fortunes? This is certainly going to be a big test for the backline. With Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia and Ayew to call upon up front, the Hammers have a lot of variation as well as Payet’s brilliance. Carroll’s record against John Terry makes him a likely starter.

Overall this is going to be a great insight into Conte’s approach. The friendly games didn’t give that much away, this is where his work really begins. With a new formation, approach and a lot of bruised egos to reassure, the opening games will be a juggling act.

Conte is likely to have more time than any Chelsea manager. Most go for failing to win a major trophy, but Conte can’t really be expected to haul this side from 10th to top. The aim needs to be righting the wrongs of last year, establishing something that won’t just fall apart again. They need to play as a team, while Conte will implement solid foundations. Monday night will show us how close they are to reaching that target.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-1