Chelsea's league campaign has completely fallen apart. In late 2024, they were in the title contention and even had a chance to briefly top the Premier League in mid - December but missed it.

They had a five - game winning streak which concluded with a draw at Everton. Since then, in 11 league games, they've managed only three wins, along with five losses.

Notably, though, all three of those wins have come in their last three home matches. During these home fixtures against Wolves, West Ham United, and Southampton, they scored a total of nine goals. This presents Maresca with the chance to achieve four consecutive home wins for the first time since taking charge.

Given the level of competition they're up against, it's crucial that they achieve this feat. The race for Champions League qualification is extremely competitive.

Following the performances of England's clubs in Europe this week, it now seems even more probable that the top five teams will secure a spot in next season's Champions League. Currently, the Blues are in fifth place. However, there are only six points separating the eight teams from third to tenth position.

Chelsea were one of the English clubs who performed well in midweek, beating Danish giants Copenhagen 2-1 at Parken in the first leg of their Conference League last 16 tie.

Following that 4-0 win over Southampton last midweek, the hosts will be huge favourites to make it three in a row across all competitions, and their form against Leicester is impressive, with six wins from the previous seven head-to-heads.

Despite losing at Ipswich Town in December, there should be very few fans fearing a second loss against a promoted club in the same season for the first time in 12 years, especially when it is taken into consideration that the Foxes have lost 11 of their last 12 league matches.

Leicester have only won once in 11 trips to Stamford Bridge too, and they have not been in as bad a run of form on any of those previous visits as they are right now.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's side became the first in top-flight history to lose six straight home games without scoring in a single season after being thrashed 4-0 by Brentford two weeks ago, before a 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium against West Ham which drew more huge criticism.

Another defeat of a similar scoreline would see Leicester lose five straight matches by a two-goal margin for the first time in 95 years, while pushing them further towards the Premier League trapdoor.

It is a surprise to many that Van Nistelrooy is still in the job, but given the level of opposition they will be up against here, it is unlikely much will be read into the outcome, barring another thrashing.

Leicester were also slightly fortunate that the other three sides in the relegation picture all lost last time out, so the Foxes remain just five points adrift, despite taking only 17 points all season.

Chelsea will be without Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu until after the international break, but Romeo Lavia has returned to training and should return in the next week or so.

Maresca named a relatively strong side in Europe for the first time this season, with Cole Palmer playing his first minutes on the continent, but his wait for a goal goes on, following eight games without one.

Reece James was used in an unfamiliar midfield role, and performed well, scoring the opening goal in the Danish capital, and it could be something Maresca experiments with further, especially with fellow right-back Malo Gusto set to be passed fit.

Leicester's own right-back Woyo Coulibaly has passed a fitness test and will be available here, meaning the only two injury absentees remain Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu.

Fans have been pleading for Stephy Mavididi to get more minutes in the side, and this could finally be the fixture in which he is handed a start after six successive matches where he has only been a substitute.

Rotation at centre-back has been commonplace in the past few weeks, with Jannik Vestergaard coming back in for Caleb Okoli last time out, but the Italian could return after another defeat.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Enzo, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Nkunku

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Soumare; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy