Leicester City vs. Chelsea: Team news, TV & streaming information, preview, title pre-party

Had hilariously bad referee Michael Oliver been just a little less hilariously bad on Sunday and awarded either one of the two nailed-on penalties to Chelsea -- or, alternatively, if Ramires had gone for a chip instead of a toe-poke -- we would be talking about how Chelsea could clinch the Premier League title in this one.  Alas, that party's been delayed until the weekend.  Which is ok, since then we can have the party at Stamford Bridge.  And what a party it could be!

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.  For there to be a party on Sunday, we need to win today.  (And probably win Sunday, too.)  The magic number is six.  Leicester City have a magic number, too, thirty-six.  Which is my rough guess at the minimum number of points needed for survival in this year's Premier League.  Leicester have thirty-one right now, twelve of which have come in the last four weeks.

That's right, after four straight wins, the Foxes have climbed out of the cellar and shoved Sunderland down there instead.  From worst team in the league to one of the most in-form teams in the league faster than you can say "[fun] off and die," right Nigel?

But hey, what's yet another in-form team to Chelsea?  No big deal, right?  Now watch our almost-player Kramarić light us up for twenty goals after we kept clean sheets against both Manchester United and Arsenal.

Date / Time: Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT; 12:15am IST

Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester, England

Referee: Mark Clattenburg -- This will only be Clattenburg's second Chelsea match this season.  We drew 1-1 with Manchester City in his first one.

Forecast: It's going to try to rain on our (pre-)parade...

On TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK); NBCSN, NBC Universo (USA); Star Sports 4 / HD 4 (India); elsewhere

Online: Sky Go (UK);  NBC Sports Live Extra, Deportes Telemundo En Vivo Extra (USA); Star Sports (India)

Leicester City team news: A couple days ago, the rumor was that Nigel Pearson might opt to play a weakened side in this midweek make-up game, to save his troops for the more "winnable" games coming up in the final four games (Newcastle, Southampton, Sunderland, QPR).  Those last two certainly will go a long way towards determining the three relegated teams.  But yesterday, Pearson rubbished any such plans, so we'll most likely have to face the full fury and power of mighty Leicester City.  Should they win their fifth top flight match in a row, they will have accomplished something not seen in over half a century.

A bit like Chelsea, most of Leicester's injury concerns are at striker.  In fact, they recalled Chris Wood from Ipswich Town to provide an option behind the ailing David Nugent and Jamie Vardy.  Winger Jeff Schlupp's also a doubt.  Big men Ulloa and Kramaric are still there of course, too, but they have a combined three goals between them since January.

Chelsea team news: Loic Remy's out for sure.  Diego Costa is probably out as well.  Oscar, who played a sort-of striker on Sunday will probably be rested, too, though it's unclear what the final diagnosis on his head injury was.  Didier Drogba looks to be starting another one by default then.  Thibaut Courtois may or may not be carrying a knock, though we're well covered there.

Previously: Speaking of Courtois, he did this in our first meeting with Leicester this season.