Enzo Maresca says that Cole Palmer remains calm despite his recent Chelsea target drought and believes that he will score again, with Leicester City then in the Premier League.
Palmer enjoyed a Breakout season for the Blues in previous term, scored 27 goals and took 15 assists in all competitions, but did not score in any of his last eight trips for Chelsea.
It coincides with a difficult form for the club, which only won three of their last 11 Premier League matches, although all those victories came home.
However, Chelsea is still in the battle for a Champions League place, sitting at just one point behind the fourth place Manchester City on the way to the matches of the weekend.
Maresca, however, has faith in Palmer's ability and is not worried about his lack of goals in recent weeks.
“If you score a goal, you are happier because helping your goals to win the team. But in general Cole is fine. He is happy,” said Maresca.
“He knows that he has difficulty score goals at the moment, but that it is something normal that can happen during the season. Looking at him during the training session you don't think it influences him, he is fantastic.”
Leicester himself has problems, sitting in 19th place in the table, five points on drift of safety with 11 games left.
They have only won one of their last 13 Premier League matches and have lost their last four without scoring.
And with so few competitions, Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted that there was little room for mistakes for the rest of the season.
“The approach has always been to remove and win the maximum amount from the game,” said Van Nistelrooy.
“If you can't win, to protect the result at the end. It is a similar approach to Sunday and for all competitions.
“We are in a situation where we all have to show our character and be resilient about the circumstances, but still be able to show the best of the team.”
Players to watch
Chelsea – Cole Palmer
Palmer did not score or helped in one of his last six Premier League matches, his longest drought since he came to Chelsea last season.
However, he has been involved in 11 goals in just nine games against promoted teams for the blues (seven goals, four assists).
Leicester City – Jamie Vardy
Leicester did not score in each of their last four Premier League matches, where Jamie Vardy struggles for goal during that run.
During that run, he did not manage any shot in three of the matches and only has 10 touches in the opposition box in that period, with four of those who came into their defeat against Brentford (also the only match in which he had attempts on goal).
Seagrave sessions pic.twitter.com/sarbpvbq5s
– Leicester City (@LCFC) March 7, 2025
Match forecast: Chelsea Win
After a six-game Windless Run against Leicester in the Premier League between 2018 and 2021 (D4 L2), Chelsea has now won five of their last six against the Foxes (D1).
While Chelsea lost 2-0 to Ipswich Town in December, they have not lost several matches against promoted parties in a single Premier League campaign since 2012-13 (vs West Ham and Southampton).
After winning five consecutive Premier League matches in November and December, Chelsea has since won only three of their last 11 (D3 L5). Each of those three victories, however, came across their last three home games and with a total score of 9-2.
In the meantime, Leicester has only won one of their last 11 Premier League matches against Chelsea (D4 L6), in which they only received seven goals at the time and never more than once in a match.
Leicester is on a scorching run, after they have lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League matches, four in a row lost to NIL while giving in at least twice since he defeated Tottenham in January. The Foxes could lose five straight league matches with a 2+ target margin for the third time after January 1915 and December 1930.
Opta wins probability
Chelsea – 75%
Drawing – 14.4%
Leicester City – 10.6%
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