Predicted Chelsea XI to face Leicester City: Koulibaly suspended as Kovacic set for bench return from knee injury

Chelsea face Leicester City on Saturday afternoon in Premier League action.

The Blues will be hoping to get back to winning ways after falling to a 3-0 defeat at Elland Road when they faced Leeds United last weekend.

Their last match at Stamford Bridge saw Thomas Tuchel's side concede with the last kick of the game in controversial fashion, dropping two points as they drew with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Thomas Tuchel (manager) has a' one on one' chat with Trevor Chalobah. (Alamy)

Facing a Leicester side who are without a win in the first three matches of the 2022/23 season, Chelsea will be hoping to get back on track as they look to challenge at the top of the Premier League this season.

Tuchel will be forced into changes, with Kalidou Koulibaly serving a suspension following his red card against Leeds, while N'Golo Kante remains sidelined with injury.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Silva, Cucurella, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Chilwell, Mount, Havertz, Sterling

Edouard Mendy may count himself lucky if he is to keep his place for Chelsea after a horrific mistake against Leeds, gifting Jesse Marsch's side an opener last week.

In previous moments when Mendy has had a lapse in concentration, Tuchel has trusted his goalkeeper to put thing right in the following matches and Tuchel could do so once again rather than opt to hand Kepa Arrizabalaga a chance.

With at least one change at the back set to be made due to Koulibaly's suspension, Marc Cucurella could be trusted on the left of a back three, a position he played during his time at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Marc Cucurella for Chelsea against Spurs. (Alamy)

Tuchel previously admitted that Cucurella and Chilwell are not competing for the same spot when playing in a back five, stating: "I would say if we play a back four they are competing for the same place. If we play a back five, not 100%.

“Ben is a clear wing-back and Marc is both. He can play in the back three and as a wing-back.”

Therefore, we could see the pair play their first match together at Chelsea, with Reece James also pushing forward and Cesar Azpilicueta returning to the line-up.

Conor Gallagher and Jorginho were overran in midfield against Leeds, and with Mateo Kovacic returning from injury, Tuchel confirmed that he is only fit enough to make the bench.

Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Trevoh Chalobah during Chelsea's open training session. (Chelsea FC)

Therefore, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could return to midfield after two matches at wing-back.

With Chelsea yet to sign a new attacker since the arrival of Raheem Sterling, Tuchel could opt to remain with the front three that have started the first three matches of the season.

Despite neither scoring yet, the match against Leicester could be the perfect opportunity for Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz to continue to build up their chemistry as Chelsea look to get back on track.