Jamie Vardy
Vardy has been in a scintillating form this season Getty Images

Leicester City host Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on Monday, 14 December, in a fixture which can take the Foxes back on top of the league table. Meanwhile, the Blues are plunged in a state of gloom and are currently in 16th spot, only one point above the relegation zone.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

It has been an absolutely incredible year for Leicester, who find themselves favourites in a game against the defending champions, something no one would have envisaged when they were struggling to stay up in a similar period last season. Claudio Ranieri has completely transformed the club and the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have risen to the occasion and are putting in a good claim for contention in the Player of the Year award scheduled for later in the season.

Leicester have lost only one game this season, which was against Arsenal in a 5-2 thrashing at the King Power but Ranieri's men have managed to hold themselves up well against tough competition, something they have to display yet again against Chelsea. The Blues, despite their dip in form, still have among the best squads in the Premiership and Leicester, if they have to keep their brilliant run going, have to take the attack to the opposition and keep a solid back four against the guile of the likes of Eden hazard and Diego Costa.

Jose Mourinho is still scratching his head to try and find out a particular reason for Chelsea's misfortune this season. From winning the league on a canter last season, the former Real Madrid manager is struggling to keep the Blues out of the relegation zone, an unprecedented phase in the Portuguese's illustrious career.

Their last game in the league ended in a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth but they kept their composure in mid-week against Porto in the Champions League to progress into the knockout stages of the competition. An own goal and a strike from Willian sealed the three points for the Blues, as they look to ride on their European exploits to salvage their season.

What managers say:

Claudio Ranieri: "[On Chelsea sacking] The chief executive [Trevor Birch] told me there is a new owner and I said 'me and you are the first who go home'. You imagine, the new owner arrives and he wants to put in his own men. It is normal. If the new owner wants to change something, it is normal. I wanted to show our best and we bought some good players. I wanted to win something. In July, Abramovich wanted to bring Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was the manager of the [England] national team. It wasn't possible for him and he said 'OK, start and we'll see what we can buy'."

Jose Mourinho: "I like to be in my little office, lying, watching a movie on my iPad. I like TV series, I'm always waiting for a new episode to come. Sometimes the television is on - if we play at five o'clock and there is football before I want to see the other results. I hate it when the guy knocks on the door and tells you have to come to an interview. I like to be there. Why be unhappy, when you are top of the league at Leicester? It's difficult for me to smile, not for him."

Betting Odds (888Sport)

• Leicester City Win: 38/15

• Draw: 29/13

• Chelsea Win: 4/3

Team News

Leicester City

Possible XI: Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan, Huth, Schlupp; Mahrez, King, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Vardy, Okazaki

Chelsea

Possible XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa

Chelsea FC