Leicester City vs. Chelsea: Preview, Team news, How to watch online and on TV

What is it about Leicester?

Last time we played them in the league, Costa and Conte got into a bit of a "bust-up" towards the end of the game, which then continued into the dressing room.  As if often the case with these sorts of things, it was much ado about very little and the Costa-Conte bromance that's developed since has become a perfect representation of just how well things have gone this season.

But then yesterday, the bombshell of Costa's injury and a supposed training ground bust-up, complete with the sideshow of a supposed Chinese bid had everyone scrambling for the panic button.  This is the perfect time to panic!  Costa's Instagram post has calmed a few nerves, but the situation remains ... unclear.

What is clear is that three points are on the line and Chelsea will have to do it without Diego Costa.

Date / Time: Saturday, January 14, 2017, 17:30 GMT; 12:30pm EDT; 11pm IST

Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester, England

Referee: Andre Marriner — Last time we saw Mr. Marriner was in fact the reverse fixture against Leicester earlier this season, just our second win in his last seven Chelsea games.  He was also in charge for our unfortunate 2-2 draw away at Swansea.

Forecast: The winds of winter are a-blowing

On TV: BT Sport 1 (UK); NBC, NBC Universo (USA); Star Sports Select HD1 (India); elsewhere

Streaming online: BT Sport Live (UK); NBC Sports Live Extra, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Star Sports (India)

Leicester City team news: With the world's natural order restored, the Foxes are closer to fighting a relegation battle than entertaining further European dreams, with FIFA coach of the year Claudio Ranieri's side brining up the rear of a rather congested mid-table in the Premier League.

The absences of Players' Player of the Year Riyah Mahrez, club-record signing Islam Slimani, and Kanté-replacement Daniel Amartey aren't helping — all three are involved in the Africa Cup of Nations for the next several weeks.  A bigger problem of course is that none of the major players have managed to replicate their amazing forms from last season, and, unsurprisingly, they have yet to find a proper replacement for N'Golo Kanté.  Amartey has tried; Nampalys Mendy has tried; now it's new signing Wilfred Ndidi's turn to try.  Meanwhile, the real N'Golo will be lining up for Chelsea.

Leicester should not be underestimated, just as no team ever should be.  But Chelsea have so far put three (in the league) and four (in the League Cup) past the Foxes and further goals should be expected in this one.  Even without Costa.

View from the enemy: The Fosse Posse

Chelsea team news: Other than the Costa brouhaha, it's all systems go at Chelsea as the Blues look to restart the winning streak that came to a crashing halt at Spurs last time out.

John Terry is suspended due to his red card in the FA Cup, while Nathan "like a new signing" Aké is ready to suit up in his no.6 shirt for the first time since getting recalled from Bournemouth.  Costa's replacement is expected to be Eden Hazard, just as when the big man was suspended a few games ago.

Previously: Last time Chelsea were here in the league, Jose Mourinho got sacked.  So let's revisit the 3-0 win from earlier this season instead, when the 3-4-3 was only two games old.  Just a baby!