Line-ups revealed as Premier League returns

The return of the Premier League following the last international break of the year sees Leicester City welcome Chelsea to the King Power Stadium in the early kick-off.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca returns to the club he guided to the Championship title – and promotion to the English top-flight – last season.

The Blues are currently third in the table, four points behind Manchester City in second and nine behind league leaders Liverpool.

Leicester, meanwhile, sit three places above the drop zone after a run of three league games without a win, and four in all competitions.

Here’s how the two sides line-up for this intriguing early-afternoon encounter.

Leicester line-up

The good news for Leicester fans is that striker Jamie Vardy is fit enough to start after suffering a knock.

Vardy’s return is one of four changes manager Steve Cooper has made for today’s game. Caleb Okoli, Kasey McAteer, Bilal El Khannouss and Vardy all come in to replace Jannik Vestergaard, Abdul Fatawu, Facundo Buonanotte and Jordan Ayew.

Chelsea line-up

Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill both withdrew from England duty last week, but both players are in the starting line-up for the Blues.

Former Leicester man Wesley Fofana starts in defence, while Enzo Fernandez replaces Romeo Lavia in the heart of midfield.

For Reece James, however, there is yet more injury frustration. The Chelsea captain picked up a hamstring issue in training this week and will sit out of the game.

James wrote on social media that he will “come out on top, against all odds.”

Related Content

West Ham confirm Michail Antonio involved in ‘road traffic accident’

Crystal Palace 2-1 Manchester City: Palace pounce to retake the lead

Pep Guardiola responds to war of words with Jose Mourinho