They fell behind on 13 minutes but were imperious from thereon in, delivering a performance that justifies their status as pre-season championship favourites.

A debut goal for Diego Costa and a majestic man-of-the-match display from fellow summer signing Cesc Fabregas added to the positives that Jose Mourinho can take from Chelsea's opening-day win.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson will also be quite pleased with how his side started the campaign as they drew 2-2 with Everton at the King Power Stadium.

The 2013-14 Championship winners twice came from behind to gain a valuable point on their return to the top flight, against a side who are expected to be challenging for the top four.

Danny Drinkwater was a casualty of their efforts against the Toffees and could miss the encounter in the capital. Dean Hammond is on standby to partner Andy King in the centre of the park.

There are also fitness doubts over Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy, who has recently signed a new four-year deal with the Foxes, while Matthew Upson remains sidelined by a foot injury.

Chris Wood's late equaliser against Everton may not be enough to earn him a starting berth, with Pearson likely to persist with David Nugent alongside record signing Leonardo Ulloa, who netted on his Premier League debut.

On the opposing substitutes' bench will be Petr Cech, who saw his nine-year run as Chelsea's number-one goalkeeper ended on Monday when Mourinho gave the nod to Thibaut Courtois.

Reports have suggested that Cech will now seek to leave Stamford Bridge before the end of the transfer window, but Mourinho is keen to keep hold of the 32-year-old.

Filipe Luis, who joined the Blues from Atletico Madrid for £16m this summer, may also have to settle for a place on the bench again, with Cesar Azpilicueta retaining the left-back berth.

Some good news for Luis this week was his recall to the Brazil squad, and his international compatriot Ramires is back in contention for Chelsea after serving a suspension carried over from last term.

The Londoners have won their last six matches against Leicester and scored 20 goals in the process.

Recent form

Chelsea: W

Leicester: D

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Costa

Leicester: Schmeichel; De Laet, Moore, Morgan, Konchesky; Mahrez, Hammond, King, Knockaert; Ulloa, Nugent

Sports Mole says: 3-0