What a difference a year really can make.
Last season, Chelsea were celebrating the league title. Meanwhile, if Leicester City were celebrating anything, it was the sheer fact that they had avoided the drop. No one could certainly have predicted what would have transpired 12 months later, but now, at the end of the 2015/2016 Premier League campaign, the tables truly have turned.
Chelsea
Chelsea will be coming into this game already having relinquished their league title - a long time ago. The Blues are also well out of contention for a European football spot. In fact, they are even fortunate to be in the top half of the table. By the time the current season finishes, Chelsea will have set a new record - and not one fans will remember too fondly.
31 points. That is the gap between Chelsea and their upcoming opponents Leicester City. The Blues currently sit in ninth place and will certainly go down as the worst defending champions in Premier League history. Having drawn their last game against Liverpool, Guus Hiddink's side have won just two out of their last 11 matches across all competitions and if they fail to win at home, it will be the first time since 1995 that Chelsea have gone five home matches without a victory.
Prior to this season, Chelsea had easily brushed aside the Foxes, with eight consecutive wins against Leicester. That is, until the two sides met in December when goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were enough to beat them 2-1 and end Jose Mourinho's second tenure at the club. In terms of personnel, Thibaut Courtois is expected to return, but Diego Costa will miss out due to a hamstring problem. John Terry will not feature as a result of suspension, and given that Chelsea have nothing really to play for, Hiddink may opt to give some younger players a chance to play.
Leicester City
Meanwhile, if Chelsea have had a season to forget, Leicester City have had one to remember. Claudio Ranieri's men have by far been the biggest surprise of European football this term and will certainly be hoping to spring more surprise next season. On a personal level, Sunday's game will likely be an interesting one for Ranieri, who now returns to Stamford Bridge as a Premier League champion after being sacked by Chelsea's owner 12 years ago.
No team since Nottingham Forest in 1978 has broken the usual club of sides who clinch the league title, and Leicester will be seeking not to be just a one-season wonder. Until then, however, the Foxes will be aspiring to achieve one more thing before the conclusion of this campaign - to finally overcome their long hoodoo at Stamford Bridge.
To date, Leicester have only won once at Chelsea's home ground in their past 24 visits. That took place on September 17, 2000, when the Foxes earned a 2-0 victory. The visitors will be able to bring Danny Drinkwater back from his ban; however key defender Robert Huth is still out on a suspension of his own.
Which channel is broadcasting Chelsea vs Leicester City on TV or Online?
Not able to make it to Stamford Bridge? No problem. Here are some choices to tune in via TV, computer, phone, or tablet:
- In the USA at 10.00 EST on: NBC Sports Live Extra, Directv, Westwood One Sports, CNBC, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra, Telemundo
- In Canada at 10.00 ET on: RDS 2, TSN2
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Chelsea vs Leicester City broadcast page for viewing times and options for your current location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
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