Leicester v Chelsea line-ups: Central role for Hazard in Costa’s absence, Leicester men out

Eden Hazard is set to play in a central attacking position for Chelsea after Diego Costa was dropped for today’s game.

Costa has not travelled with the squad after a dispute with a member of the Blues coaching staff and amid reports the striker has been made a huge offer to play in China.

In his absence, Hazard is set to play in an advanced role he has played in a number of times before. Michy Batshuayi is on the bench.

Marcos Alonso starts on the left, with Pedro moving inside. N’Golo Kante faces his former club.

Champions Leicester are without the injured Leonardo Ulloa, but Jamie Vardy returns.

Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey are at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Leicester: Schmeichel, Morgan (c), Huth, Fuchs, Chilwell, Mendy, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton, Musa, Vardy.
Subs: Zieler, Simpson, Wasilewski, King, Gray, Okazaki, Kapustka.

Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Pedro
Subs: Begovic, Ivanovic, Zouma, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Batshuayi.