Match Preview: Leicester City v Chelsea

Leicester City will be hoping to return back to the top of the Premier League table when they host Chelsea at the King Power Stadium in a televised fixture on Monday evening. 

The Foxes go into the encounter on home soil currently residing in third position in the top-flight, looking to continue their fine form, which sees Claudio Ranieri’s side unbeaten in their previous eight league games.

Last time out, a hat-trick from Riyad Mahrez propelled Leicester to the summit of the standings, as they comfortably beat Swansea City 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

By contrast, current title holders Chelsea, are 16th in the table, just a solitary point above the relegation places.

The west Londoners domestic troubles were put to one side on Wednesday night, as Chelsea eased past Porto to top their Champions League group – which has subsequently paired them with French side, Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea return to action knowing that defeat would heap even more pressure on Jose Mourinho, with the Blues having just won four league games all season, as their woes in a league that they won at a canter last term, continue.

Team News: Leicester City

Leicester have no new injury concerns to deal with, though Ritchie De Laet remains out of contention with an ankle problem, meanwhile midfielder Matthew James remains out with a long-term knee injury. 

Nathan Dyer could stake a claim for selection on Monday night – the winger was unable to face parent club, Swansea City last weekend, as part of his loan agreement.

Claudio Ranieri could field the same starting line-up which defeated Swansea City last Saturday – with the Italian set to keep faith with the players that have served him so well in recent weeks.

The front two of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have between them, found the net more times than the entire Chelsea squad, so far this season.

Predicted line-up: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kante, Albrighton, Ulloa, Vardy.

Team News: Chelsea

Ahead of their trip to the East Midlands to take on the high-flying Foxes, Jose Mourinho will welcome back John Terry and Ramires back into the league fold – after both players returned from their respective injuries in the win over Porto.

Radamel Falcao is likely to take his place on the bench following a muscular problem, meaning that like his counterpart, Mourinho has no fresh injuries to contend with.

Predicted line-up: Courtois, Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Matic, Ramires, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa.

What the managers say: 

Claudio Ranieri: “There is an electrical momentum here. Everybody is positive and want to do something. They listen to everything I say and try to do it immediately on the pitch. It does not always happen, but for me as a coach, it is fantastic.”

Jose Mourinho: “They [Leicester] deserve to be where they are. I said a few weeks ago that I did not believe that they could be champions, maybe I need to reconsider. It would be something magnificent, something to impress the football world.

Information: 

Kick-off: 8pm

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Top scorers – Leicester: Jamie Vardy  (14)  Chelsea: Diego Costa (3)