The last time Claudio Ranieri returned to Stamford Bridge he received a guard of honour and a warm embrace from former boss Roman Abramovich.
Leicester City had already won the 2015-2016 Premier League and ground out a respectable 1-1 draw on the final day of the season. The Foxes had nothing to play for but still looked characteristically hungry.
Five months later and Chelsea have beaten Leicester 4-2 in the EFL Cup and will start as substantial favourites to take maximum points in Saturday's early kick off.
Leicester have lost all three of their away Premier League matches surrendering 10 goals in the process. However, strong home form means eight points is still a perfectly respectable tally thus far, especially when one considers City have already had to face Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.
As well as conceding goals, Leicester have looked vulnerable in central midfield, especially on the road. That's largely down to N'Golo Kante's departure to Chelsea.
Filling the French international's shoes was always going to be a big ask, but Nampalys Mendy is more than capable when fit. His ankle injury is likely to keep him out of the visit to Stamford Bridge, though, forcing Daniel Amartey -- who has blown hot and cold -- to step up.
Danny Drinkwater has perhaps the most significant role to play, assuming he returns from a minor groin injury. The England midfielder scored in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea last season and must lead by example in the centre of the park. He doesn't always get the plaudits, but when on song Leicester rarely lose.
Ranieri must also decide whether to stick with both record-signing Islam Slimani and the out of the sorts Jamie Vardy upfront, or field a lone striker and bring in an extra-midfielder (most likely Andy King). City aren't used to playing 4-5-1, but looked far more effective doing so in the second half of their 4-1 drubbing by Manchester United.
The problem with 4-5-1 is it lends itself to soaking up pressure -- or as Jose Mourinho once said "parking the bus" -- but not necessary aggressive counter-attacking football. There's a danger Vardy would end up stranded and Riyad Mahrez would be easier to police with one less focal point ahead of him.
Ranieri may be tempted to change his tactics, but there is an argument to just keep faith with the same formation and players that took 39 points on the road last campaign.
It all depends on whether Ranieri believes the heavy losses to Liverpool and Manchester United are down to irreparable flaws in the system, coupled with sides being more au fait to City's tactics, or just the product of two clinical teams hitting their peak.
Let's not forget Arsenal thrashed Leicester 5-2 last season simply by being sublime on the day, but the Foxes didn't panic then and there's thus no urgency to shelve 4-4-2 just yet.
Leicester aren't used to winning at Stamford Bridge, though. Their only Premier League victory in 10 attempts came in September 2000 thanks to goals from Muzzy Izzet and Stan Collymore. Ranieri watched that game and was then appointed Chelsea boss the following day.
He now comes up against fellow Italian Antonio Conte on what promises to be an animated touchline. There will arguably be as much drama and entertainment in the dugout as on the field.
Even with Kante in his ranks, Conte is yet to instill the same type of defensive discipline he managed with both Italy and Juventus and if captain John Terry remains out with an ankle injury, Leicester will fancy their chances of scoring goals. The question, however, is how many will the Foxes need at the moment to win an away game and if recent matches are anything to go by the answer is a worrying five.
