Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's midweek Premier League clash between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. Both sides have contrasting but very clear objectives for the remainder of the season, and victory this evening would put them a significant step closer to achieving those goals. It could be a significant 90 minutes at either end of the table. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

It has been nothing short of remarkable what Leicester City have done in recent weeks. A little more than a month ago they seemed to be dead and buried, with their results not matching their performances. A 4-3 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur left them seven points from safety on March 21, but somehow they have managed to turn things around and survival looks like a real possibility now with five matches remaining.

Nigel Pearson's side have the priceless commodity of momentum behind them going into the closing stages of the campaign, so much so that even tonight's game against the soon-to-be-champions won't hold much fear for the Foxes. Leicester have actually got some decent results against the big teams in the Premier League this season, particularly during their bright start to the campaign, and they will be full of confidence that they can get something out of this one too.

Anything they do manage tonight would be something of a bonus considering Chelsea's dominance all season, but even if their incredible run of four consecutive victories comes to an end here then they will be confident of staying up. Their run-in is relatively kind, with Newcastle, Southampton and QPR still to come at home and a trip to face fellow strugglers Sunderland their only remaining away game. In their current form, they could fancy their chances of getting 10 points from those games, which would take them beyond the magic 40-point mark.

It is likely to take less than 40 points to stay up this season, but it has been a very unpredictable campaign at the bottom so Pearson will not want to take any chances. A win tonight would take them four points clear of the relegation zone and lift them up to 16th, just two points behind Newcastle. Hull managed a surprise win in their game in hand at home to Liverpool last night, and Leicester will attempt to pull off a similar feat this evening.

Game in hands are only important if teams can make them count, but this year Sunderland also have a game in hand, which they won't play until the final midweek of the season. The full picture of the relegation battle won't become clear until just a couple of days before the end of the campaign, so any points those involved can get before that will be extra important. Certainly, Leicester's 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday could prove to be a pivotal moment, with Vardy scoring the only goal of the game just a minute after the Clarets had missed a penalty.

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That victory at Turf Moor was the fourth in a row for Burnley, and tonight they are bidding to make it five on the bounce in the top flight for the first time since January 1964. They had only managed four wins all season prior to this recent revival, including just one since the turn of the year. They have tightened things up at the back too, keeping back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season with the win over the Clarets.

Their home form has also improved since the turn of the year, with four wins from their seven games in all competitions at the King Power Stadium. They have only lost two of those matches - a stark contrast to the first half of the season when they only managed one win in 10. That was a memorable one, beating Manchester United 5-3, but consistency at home is so often the key to survival, and Leicester finally seem to have found a bit of that with two wins on the bounce.

Chelsea know all about consistency, and they have enjoyed it in their results all season. They have led the way for the vast majority of this Premier League campaign and are now closing in on a first title since 2010, and there can be few arguments that it is a deserved one. They have lost just twice all season and were by far and away the best team in the top flight over the first half of the campaign.

Things have slowed a little performance-wise in recent months, but the results have kept on coming. While earlier in the campaign Chelsea were blowing teams away, they are now grinding out results and doing exactly what they need to do to pick up the points. To illustrate that point, they have not won a single league game by more than one goal since their 5-0 triumph over Swansea 11 games ago, while in all competitions they have only managed a two-goal winning margin once since then - in the League Cup final. Compare that to winning by more than one goal in 14 of their opening 32 matches of the campaign and it is clear to see that Mourinho has put the handbrake on.

It may have been the embarrassing defeat at the hands of Bradford City in the FA Cup that caused the increased cautioness, but while it is not as eye-catching as their early-season form, there is no doubting that it is effective. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 games in all competitions, since that loss to Bradford, while if they were to avoid defeat tonight then they would equal their longest unbeaten league streak of the campaign (14 matches). Quite simply, they are getting the job done.

They have received criticism along the way, most notably this weekend when Arsenal fans chanted 'boring, boring Chelsea' as the Blues battled their way to a goalless draw. It was another fine defensive performance from Chelsea and, while it was a tedious affair for the neutral, the visitors did exactly what they needed to do to nullify an Arsenal side who went into the match in imperious form. A point was a much better result for Chelsea than it was for Arsenal, and Mourinho will not give a second thought to the criticism his side received for the performance.

That result at the Emirates handed Chelsea a league-high 15th clean sheet of the campaign and, while the likes of Hazard, Costa and Fabregas have dazzled in attack, their success has once again been built on a strong defence - just as it was in Mourinho's first reign. No team in the league has conceded fewer goals this season and they have now kept three clean sheets in a row - they haven't managed four on the bounce since the 2009-10 season.

John Terry's reaction at the final whistle against Arsenal said it all as Chelsea took a big step towards clinching the title, more through ending Arsenal's challenge than enhancing their own. They are now just two wins away from winning the league, and they could even have the title wrapped up before either Manchester City or Arsenal - their two closest challengers - play again. Victory tonight would mean another win against Crystal Palace on Sunday would give them the title, with City not in action until later that day and Arsenal playing on Monday night.

Both of their league defeats have come away from home this season, but their record on the road since losing to Spurs on New Year's Day is a very impressive one. They have won five of their last six league games on their travels, with the only exception being that goalless draw with the Gunners on Sunday. Overall they are unbeaten in eight away games in all competitions, and despite Leicester's fine form of late they will fancy their chances of getting the job done again tonight.

TEAM NEWS: The team news is out for both sides and the headlines come from the Chelsea camp as the old guard of Drogba and Cech both start in the only two changes from Saturday's match. Leicester, meanwhile, opt for an unchanged side from the one that beat Burnley on Saturday, with Pearson keeping faith following that crucial victory. Full teams for both sides coming up...

LEICESTER STARTING XI: Schmeichel; Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan; Albrighton, King, Cambiasso, Drinkwater, Konchesky; Vardy, Ulloa

LEICESTER SUBS: Schwarzer, De Laet, Hammond, James, Mahrez, Wood, Kramaric

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Drogba

CHELSEA SUBS: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Ake, Mikel, Oscar, Cuadrado

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, it isn't much of a surprise to see Nigel Pearson name an unchanged side following such a big win at the weekend, and with his team in the form they are in changes were always likely to be kept to a minimum. The Foxes have changed tactic recently and once again Pearson has opted for three central defenders, with Albrighton and Konchesky acting as wing-backs. Considering the threat Chelsea pose on the flanks, though, that duo may be forced to play as more orthodox full-backs tonight.

The good news for the hosts is that Jamie Vardy is fit and able to play, despite needing an injection to get through the match against Burnley. He scored the only goal of that game, making it three goals and two assists for him in his last five matches. Pearson hasn't been able to welcome back two other injury concerns as Nugent and Schlupp remain sidelined, but Wood is on the bench having been recalled for a loan spell with Ipswich.

There have been a number of key players for Leicester in this fantastic run, with Vardy and Cambiasso right up amongst them, but perhaps none have been as important as Schmeichel. The Dan has made some crucial and incredible saves in recent weeks and, without him in such good form, it is fair to say that Leicester may still be dwelling at the bottom of the table. The stats also show that Huth has been a key member of the team since his January arrival, with Leicester having picked up 14 points from a possible 27 in games involving the centre-back.

As for Chelsea, their main dangerman tonight will be Eden Hazard, whose magnificent form this season was recognised by the PFA Player of the Year award earlier this month. The Belgian has scored 18 goals in all competitions and has been an ever-present in the Premier League this term, in addition to creating the most goalscoring chances of any individual in the top flight (88). A number of Chelsea players have been impressive this season, but Hazard has outshone them all in a magnificent campaign.

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One player who may have challenged him but for injuries is Costa, who was in contention to return from a four-match layoff tonight but again is not deemed fit enough for the bench. That means that Drogba comes in up front having been forced to settle for a place on the bench in the first half of the game against Arsenal. Chelsea went without a recognised striker for that match, but Oscar, who was furthest forward, suffered concussion in a collision with David Ospina and only makes the bench tonight.

The only other change for the visitors comes between the sticks, and Petr Cech isn't a bad replacement keeper to have. Courtois has been suffering with a minor hip injury and so only makes the bench this evening, with the vastly experienced Cech taking his place. The Czech Republic international is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season and, should Courtois return for the run-in, this could very well be his final game for the club. If that is the case, he has been an incredible servant and one of the bedrocks of their huge success over the last decade or so.

There are no surprises in front of him as Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry and Azpilicueta continue in defence. Those four have formed a formidable backline for the majority of the season, with Terry in particular showing that there is plenty of gas left in his tank. His display against Arsenal was dubbed by Mourinho as his best ever, and there are no signs of him slowing down despite his advancing years. Leicester will have a tough job getting past the Blues skipper and his colleagues tonight.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the King Power Stadium, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is quite a tough one to call considering Leicester's magnificent recent form. Chelsea's performances have been questionable of late, but they repeatedly get the job done in an efficient manner. I expect that to be the case again tonight, with Chelsea running out 1-0 winners.

Unsurprisingly, it is Chelsea who dominate the recent history of this fixture, winning the last seven meetings in league and cup and scoring 22 goals in the process. Five of those victories have come in the Premier League, with Leicester last win over Chelsea coming back in February 2001, when Muzzy Izzet and Gary Rowett scored in a 2-1 triumph at Filbert Street.

The reverse fixture this season ended 2-0 to Chelsea, with Costa and Hazard both getting on the scoresheet back in August. Chelsea have not played away against Leicester for more than 10 years, but they were even more dominant on their last visit as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (2), Adrian Mutu and Celestine Babayaro all scored in a 4-0 triumph in January 2004.

Tonight's match was initially scheduled to take place on February 28, but has been pushed back more than two months due to the League Cup duties of Chelsea. Mourinho was not happy about having to play the game so late in the season at the time, but it doesn't seem to have hurt his side and now they have a chance to move 13 points clear of both Arsenal and Manchester City.

We're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at the King Power Stadium now so, before we start, here is a little fun fact for you about Mourinho's defensive prowess. Of his 191 Premier League games as Chelsea boss, Mourinho has seen his side keep clean sheets in a whopping 103 (54%) of them.

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KICKOFF: Leicester get us underway for a big match at both ends of the table as they look to distance themselves further from the bottom three while Chelsea aim to move within one step of the title.

Leicester almost make an early break as Vardy looks to be beyond the last man, but Ivanovic recovers brilliantly to make a vital challenge.

Leicester have seen a decent amount of the ball in these early stages, and it is clear to see the difference in quality now from a couple of months ago. The hosts are well up for this one, and it doesn't look like it will be an easier evening for the champions elect of Chelsea.

The conditions in Leicester are pretty grim this evening, with the rain pouring down. The surface is very slippery as a result, which could have an impact tonight.

Leicester have started really well here. They are playing with a great intensity both on and off the ball, winning it back quickly whenever they lose it and doing a good job of keeping sustained pressure on the visitors. Chelsea are struggling to get out at the moment!

The first shot of the evening comes from Leicester, but it is high and wide from Vardy. The ball dropped loose around 25 yards from goal but it was always a tough ask for Vardy to beat Cech from there.

CHANCE! Almost a great opening for Leicester! Cambiasso plays a beauty of a pass over the defence which completely takes Terry out of the game and sends Ulloa through on goal. However, the striker's touch lets him down at the crucial moment and Chelsea are able to recover. What a pass that was from Cambiasso though!

Leicester are getting the ball forward really quickly whenever possible here, which is helping Vardy maximise his pace advantage over the back four. The hosts have looked the most threatening of the two sides in the opening quarter of an hour or so.

SHOT! Chelsea make a quick break here, however, as Willian tears down the left flank before pulling the ball back for Drogba. The veteran striker has space to hit it but gets his effort all wrong and fails to come close to testing Schmeichel.

This time it is Hazard's turn to pick out a peach of a pass into the box, lifting the ball over and around the defence for Fabregas down the left channel. The Spaniard steers a low ball back into the area, but it is too far in front of any Chelsea shirts.

LEICESTER SUB: An early blow for the hosts as King is forced off through injury, being replaced by Matty James.

Leicester win a corner through good work from Drinkwater, and the ball is swung towards the back post where Wes Morgan is waiting. His header fails to trouble Cech, but fellow centre-back Huth looks to have a problem in the aftermath, going down with what looks like a leg problem. Leicester won't want a lose a second player to injury early on.

Relief for Pearson as Huth is up and back on after some brief treatment. He still isn't moving entirely freely, but looks like he will be fine to continue.

LEICESTER SUB: I take that back! Huth lasts less than a minute back on the field before being replaced by Ritchie De Laet. That is two changes Leicester have been forced to make already.

The big concern for Pearson will be that those subs will disrupt his side's rhythm after what has been a good start. De Laet has filled in on the right of the three centre-backs, incidentally, with Wasilewski moving into the middle.

Chelsea have just begun to gain a measure of control over proceedings now, seeing much more of the ball and keeping Leicester from building the sort of pressure they were enjoying earlier. They had to weather a bit of an early storm, but the visitors appear comfortable now.

SHOT! A really good spell of pressure for Chelsea comes to an end as Drogba fires a shot a couple of yards wide of the near post having taken an effort on the turn inside the box. He just couldn't wrap his foot around that one enough.

The visitors are seeing a lot of the ball around the edge of the Leicester box at the moment, but as of yet the home side have protected Schmeichel fairly well. Chelsea are picking up some dangerous positions, though.

This may be the pattern that we are going to see for the majority of this match now. Leicester are making the odd break out with long and early balls forward, trying to turn the Chelsea defence, but for the most part the visitors are camped inside the Leicester half now.

The pressure continues to build on Leicester's defence, but there is no doubt that they are up for the fight. A couple of good, hard sliding challenges in quick succession raise the volume levels again inside the King Power Stadium.

YELLOW CARD! Konchesky oversteps the mark with this sliding challenge, however, clattering into Ramires well after the ball had gone. No doubt about that one being the first card of the night.

SHOT! Leicester make a bright break forward, with the lively Vardy again involved. Eventually the ball is fed to Drinkwater by Cambiasso, but the midfielder's long-range effort flies over the top.

This time it is Cambiasso who goes for the spectacular, but he wildly slices his attempted volley and it ends up closer to the corner flag. It would have been some goal, but he completely miscued it.

CHANCES! Incredible scenes inside the Chelsea box as Leicester have a flurry of chances in quick succession! First Albrighton's ball into the box is met by Konchesky, who steals in front of Ramires to turn it goalwards. Cech gets down smartly to make the save, but the ball is played back across the face of goal and only half cleared. It is lifted back in for Cambiasso, whose first touch takes him away from goal and forces him to play it back, but the subsequent effort from Albrighton is blocked before Chelsea can eventually hack it clear. Pinball in the area!

That was a real scare for Chelsea, who are yet to really impose themselves on this game. Leicester are playing with the greater energy and, while Chelsea have enjoyed a lot of the ball since the hosts' bright opening, their threatening moments have been few and far between.

There will be a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this first half.

Hazard is on the end of a crunching challenge from Cambiasso, who got the ball but then trod right on the Belgian's ankle. It is a painful one for Hazard and he requires quite a bit of treatment, but he looks like he will be able to carry on.

Oh my word, Leicester have the lead right on the stroke of half time! It is a really good break from the hosts as Vardy holds his run to get on the end of a pass down the left channel. He pulls the ball back into the middle and Azpilicueta crucially slips, allowing Albrighton a free run on to it. He makes no mistake with his finish, nestling the ball into the bottom corner.

Well, well, well! Leicester go into the break of their Premier League clash with champions elect Chelsea leading 1-0 and on course for a fifth straight victory which would take them four points clear of the relegation zone. This would be the most impressive of the lot, and the visitors can have no complaints at being behind at the interval. Their title party may need to be put on hold if things carry on like this!

The goal came right on the stroke of half time as Albrighton got his first for the club with a composed finish. It would have been a dreadful miss had he failed to convert it, but he still needed to keep his cool to tuck it beyond Cech. Vardy was the creator, racing down the left channel before pulling the ball back into the middle. It was just in front of Ulloa, but Azpilicueta's slip gave Albrighton the chance, and he finished it with aplomb.

Leicester are good value for their victory too having put Chelsea under plenty of pressure throughout that half. They started the match really well and, while they were forced to chase the ball during the middle of the opening period, they have always been keen to get on the front foot as quickly as possible. That, coupled with Vardy's relentless running, has caused Chelsea's defence problems.

The best openings aside from the goal have also come for Leicester, who somehow didn't take the lead during a huge scramble inside the Chelsea box. Cech first denied Konchesky before Cambiasso and Albrighton also came close as Chelsea struggled to get the ball clear. Ulloa has also spurned a good chance, failing to control a magnificent ball over the top from Cambiasso early on in the game. Chelsea failed to heed those warnings, however, and Vardy's goal is what separates the sides at the break.

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As for Chelsea, they have offered very little in attack so far. They have enjoyed possession in decent positions, often picking it up within 10 yards of the Leicester box, but Schmeichel is yet to be forced into a meaningful save. About the closest Chelsea have come came through Drogba, who fired an effort a few yards wide of the near post. It has been a disappointing display from the champions-to-be so far.

Leicester's fine performance in that first half is made even more impressive by the fact that they lost two players to injury in the opening 45 minutes, with both King and Huth being forced off. That initially looked to disrupt their rhythm as Chelsea began to settle into the match, but they soon adapted and will feel confident of holding out for all three points in this match following that first-half display.

KICKOFF: Chelsea get us back underway as they look to respond to that goal right at the end of the first half and grab a win that would move them to within three points of the Premier League title.

They were looking for a response, and it didn't take them long to find one! Drogba puts the visitors level just three minutes into the second half, sweeping home the ball from inside the box after good work from Ivanovic down the right. The full-back beat his man and pulled a low ball back for the veteran striker, who left Schmeichel no chance with his finish.

CHANCE! A big chance for Drogba to get a second in as many minutes! Ivanovic is again involved down the right, playing the ball inside for Hazard, who touches it beautifully into the path of Fabregas. The Spaniard in turn pulls it back to Drogba in space on the edge of the box, but he blazes his effort well over the top when he should have at least hit the target.

What a start to the second half this has been for Chelsea, who look like a different team at the moment. Leicester are a little shellshocked here and they need to gather themselves quickly if they are to avoid undoing all of their good work from the first half.

CHANCE! Another big chance for Chelsea, and again it comes down the right. This time it is Willian to races clear before playing the most enticing of crosses between the keeper and defence. No Leicester shirts can get a touch on it, but it appears to take Fabregas by surprise at the back post and he can't react in time to turn it goalwards.

Chelsea are very much on top now and have been since the second period began. Leicester may be best advised to batten down the hatches for the next five or 10 minutes before looking to regroup in an attacking sense when this spell of Chelsea pressure has passed.

Pearson is just telling his players to calm down now and, in fairness to the hosts, they have started to settle into the second half a little now. Chelsea could and probably should be ahead after those two early chances and the goal, but as it stands it is still all square.

This has been a good response from Leicester, who have started doing the things that made them a threat in the first half once again. They are constantly looking to turn the Chelsea defenders and have done a good job doing that.

Nice spell of possession for the visitors, who are looking dangerous whenever they come down the right flank at the moment. Willian beats his man and fizzes a low ball across that Morgan has to turn behind for a corner.

Plenty of teams have struggled against this Chelsea defence this season, but Vardy is giving a great example of how to play against them. Run them into the channels and try to get in behind them to expose their lack of pace.

CLOSE! Drogba almost nets his second of the evening as he gets in behind the defence down the right channel, but his subsequent effort flashes narrowly past the far post.

SHOT! Again Chelsea come close as Hazard flicks the ball back for Azpilicueta, who feeds the ball inside for Willian. The Brazilian immediately opens his body and tries to bend one into the far top corner, but it flies a couple of yards over the top.

SHOT! This time it is Leicester who go for goal from range as the referee lets play continue after Cambiasso appeared to have fouled Ramires. The ball falls to James, who sees a long-range effort deflected wide.

Chelsea have had 70% possession in this second half, and there is no doubt that it has been a much better performance from the visitors since the break. I'd expect Mourinho had some choice words for his team at the interval, and they have certainly responded.

Another great break from Chelsea and Willian, who is growing in influence here. He bursts forward down the middle before feeding a pass to Hazard, whose low cross towards Drogba is put behind for a corner by a stretching De Laet.

There are just under 20 minutes remaining here and, while Chelsea have been on top in the second half, this one is still very much hanging in the balance. Leicester look capable of nicking one on the break, and Chelsea can never be discounted with the attacking prowess at their disposal.

Willian is looking like Chelsea's most dangerous player right now. He has the better of Konchesky when he looks to take him on down the flank and the Leicester full-back could do with some help against the Brazilian.

Leicester have less than 15 minutes to hold out for what would be a very good draw now. In truth, a draw would not be too bad a result for either team, but it would be an unexpected point for the hosts.

LEICESTER SUB: A third and final change for the hosts sees Vardy make way having run himself into the ground with a fine performance tonight. He is replaced by the dangerous Riyad Mahrez.

SHOT! Lovely football between Fabregas and Hazard as they link up down the right before the latter feeds the ball back to Ramires, whose curling effort is deflected wide.

Chelsea complete the turnaround, and it is captain John Terry who gets the goal! It comes from the corner as Cahill peels away from behind Schmeichel to flick a header towards goal that the Leicester keeper does really well to save. He can't push it away from danger, however, and Terry is there to flick the ball home from close range.

So, as things stand, Chelsea will be one win away from the Premier League title going into the final four games of the season. You have to feel for Leicester, who have put everything into this game, but Chelsea's quality has shone through in this second half.

Oh my word, what a goal this is! Fabregas plays the ball back to the edge of the box for Ramires, who powers a stunning strike right into the top corner with his weaker left foot. You could not wish to see a more emphatic strike than that, and he couldn't have placed it any better either. That is a screamer.

CHELSEA SUB: Willian has had a really good second half here but his work is done for the evening as he is replaced by Kurt Zouma.

Sarcastic chants of 'boring, boring Chelsea' ring out from the away end as Chelsea close in on a first victory by more than a one-goal margin for 12 league games. They were poor in the first half, but have looked more like themselves since the break.

CHELSEA SUB: Hazard hasn't had his best game of the season tonight and he departs late on to be replaced by Juan Cuadrado.

CHELSEA SUB: The final change of the match sees John Obi Mikel replace Fabregas for stoppage time only.

Speaking of stoppage time, we will have a minimum of three minutes here.

Mark Clattenburg brings an end to proceedings at the King Power Stadium and it is Chelsea who are celebrating at the final whistle courtesy of a second-half comeback that takes them to within three points of the Premier League title. They can now seal it against Crystal Palace on Sunday having moved 13 points clear at the top tonight. Leicester's incredible winning run comes to an end, meanwhile, but they can be buoyed by their performance in this match ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

It was the hosts who opened the scoring right on the stroke of half time as Marc Albrighton found the bottom corner following good work from Jamie Vardy, but Chelsea responded immediately after the restart, levelling things up three minutes into the second half courtesy of Didier Drogba. A fellow member of the old guard John Terry then put the visitors ahead for the first time on the night, before Ramires sealed the points with a stunning third.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for this midweek Premier League clash as Chelsea's march towards the title continues with victory over in-form Leicester. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!