A fixture between the two most recent Premier League champions? Go on, then.
Chelsea take on Leicester in the first Premier League fixture of the weekend, and the recent history between the two clubs makes for one of the most intriguing fixtures of the season.
Here’s why.
Leicester beat Chelsea and stayed top at Christmas
Leicester’s title-winning season was sprinkled with landmark moments, and one of the biggest came against Chelsea on a chilly night in December.
Jamie Vardy’s first-half strike and Riyad Mahrez’s superb solo goal put the Foxes in control, and a late Loic Remy finish proved only a consolation. Chelsea lost; Jose Mourinho was sacked.
And perhaps more importantly, Leicester wrested back first place from Arsenal before Christmas.
Chelsea’s comeback ensured Leicester won the title
Obviously Leicester put in most of the effort, but Chelsea played their part in securing the Foxes’ unbelievable Premier League title.
Tottenham arrived at Stamford Bridge with their title hopes hanging by a thread, and any result but victory would end their chances. If Spurs won however, and Leicester lost their final two games against Everton and Chelsea, a Premier League title was conceivable.
Cue one of the most ill-tempered fixtures since Ruud van Nistelrooy and Martin Keown exchanged pleasantries at Old Trafford. The fouls flew in, the yellow cards flowed freely, and beyond everybody’s comprehension, nobody was sent off.
Oh yes, and Chelsea came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 to gift Leicester the title and deny their London rivals a maiden Premier League crown.
Both sides are struggling for form
The Premier League’s two most recent champions certainly aren’t playing as such. Both sides have only two wins to speak of in their last five games, having won two, lost two and drawn one.
Intriguingly, both sides are also having problems against the big teams as well, with Leicester having endured 4-1 defeats against Liverpool and Manchester United, while Chelsea lost 2-1 against Liverpool and 3-0 against Arsenal.
Which team will prove to be the biggest?
Jamie Vardy and Diego Costa go head to head
Both strikers have fired their respective teams to Premier League titles, and both also have reputations as tricky opponents.
Vardy’s pace and aggression make him a handful, and Diego Costa’s tricks have seen him land both himself and his rivals in hot water.
Costa is the form man, with six Premier League goals to Vardy’s two; this contest is likely to be decided by one of them.
Claudio Ranieri returns… again
As long as he manages in the Premier League, the narrative of Claudio Ranieri returning to Chelsea, where he once managed, will always be relevant.
Sacked in 2004 to make way for Mourinho, the Italian was forgotten during the Blues’ most successful era. While Ranieri moved from job to job, Chelsea hoovered up league titles, domestic cups and a Champions League trophy.
But tomorrow, and for as long as he continues to manage in the Premier League, Ranieri will walk through the doors at Stamford Bridge as a Premier League champion. Dilly ding, dilly dong.
