Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match between Leicester City and West Ham United at the King Power Stadium. These two sides have been among the most impressive and surprising in the Premier League this season, and go into the final weeks with plenty still left to fight for. Victory for Leicester today would take them to within two wins of the title, while West Ham are looking to haul themselves back into the top-four race. Before we get into all that, though, let's take a look at the teams...

LEICESTER STARTING XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Albrighton, Kante, Drinkwater, Mahrez; Okazaki, Vardy

LEICESTER SUBS: Schwarzer, King, Amartey, Schlupp, Gray, Ulloa, Wasilewski

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Obiang, Kouyate, Noble, Moses, Payet; Emenike

WEST HAM SUBS: Randolph, Byram, Tomkins, Collins, Lanzini, Valencia, Carroll

What can we make of those two teams? Well, there are no prizes for having guessed the Leicester starting XI before kickoff, with Claudio Ranieri naming the same side for the sixth game in a row and, remarkably, the 12th time in the last 14 games. The Italian has very much abandoned his 'Tinkerman' nickname that was bestowed upon him at Chelsea, and crucially he appears to have kept those who continually miss out on selection happy too. The players who come off the bench never seem to sulk and immediately buy into the philosophy of Leicester at the moment.

That means that Jamie Vardy will lead the line for the hosts once again, with the industrious Okazaki in support. Vardy has not quite been finding the back of the net as regularly in the second half of the season as he was in the first, but he did score twice last weekend to give his side a crucial 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Sunderland. That took him to 21 league goals for the season, making him the first Leicester player since Gary Lineker in 1984-85 to pass the 20-goal mark in a top-flight campaign.

© Getty Images

Vardy's main partner in crime all season has been Riyad Mahrez, and while he too has gone off the boil a little as Leicester's style has changed in the second half of the season, his contribution to their remarkable rise to the top has been huge. He is the front-runner to win the Player of the Year award, although he does face competition in that category from the likes of Vardy and Kante, the latter of whom was excellent once again against Sunderland last time out.

Those three have probably been the standout performers this season, but it would be wrong not to mention most of the rest of the side as it has been such a good team effort. Drinkwater has forced his way into the England squad through his displays, while Albrighton will arguably be the happiest of all of them considering he couldn't get into the Aston Villa side a couple of seasons ago. It is at the back where they have been most impressive in recent weeks, though, with Morgan and Huth leading by example at the heart of the defence.

The presence of those two big centre-backs is perhaps a reason why Slaven Bilic has surprisingly left Andy Carroll out of the starting XI this afternoon, although that could also have something to do with the fact that the striker has played a couple of times in the past week and is very injury prone. He stole all of the headlines last Saturday with a hat-trick in less than 10 minutes either side of half time against Arsenal as the Hammers picked up a 3-3 draw, which rekindled talk of him being taken to Euro 2016. He was less effective against Manchester United in midweek, though, and finds himself on the bench from the start today.

Emmanuel Emenike is the man to replace him up front, but West Ham's biggest goal threat may come from behind the striker. Dimitri Payet is a player who will rival many of the Leicester men for the Player of the Year award, and certainly the signing of the season, having sparkling in his debut Premier League campaign. His free kicks in particular have been incredible, and Leicester will be wary of giving any away in shooting positions today. Payet has been directly involved in seven goals in his last seven league games, scoring three and setting up a further four.

© Getty Images

In all, Bilic has made five changes to the side that lost in the FA Cup in midweek, with Victor Moses among those to come into the starting XI. His pace on the counter could be a useful weapon for the visitors today, with Leicester usually seeing a lot of the ball in their games now, which wasn't the case at the start of the season. Obiang also comes in in midfield, but Noble and Kouyate retain their places in the middle of the park.

At the back there is just one change as Winston Reid returns from a hamstring strain to replace Tomkins, despite the outgoing defender scoring against Manchester United in midweek. Interestingly, Bilic has stuck with Antonio at right-back when there was the chance to move him a little further up the field, which again could be with one eye on their counter-attacking threat. Ogbonna and Cresswell make up the back four, with Adrian the final change as he returns in goal after being rested for the cup game.

It is a West Ham side who have enjoyed a superb season of their own, but by Bilic's admission their achievements have been overshadowed by what Leicester have done this term. It is such an incredible turnaround from the Foxes, and while many people throughout the season have expected the wheels to come off sooner or later, they have just kept on picking up the results and it would now take a late collapse to prevent them from winning the title.

There have been no suggestions that they might be on the verge of such a collapse - in fact, everything points to the contrary. There has been so much talk of how Leicester will handle the pressure that grows as each week goes by, but they have strung together their best run of form for 52 years just when they needed it most, with five top-flight wins on the bounce. Only once before in the club's history have they won six in a row, back in March 1963, and should they manage it today then they will move 10 points clear of second-placed Tottenham.

That 1962-63 season in which they won seven games in a row, was previously the best in the club's history, and while this term looks set to surpass that, there are lessons to be learned from 53 years ago. Then, as now, they were top of the pile with five games of the season remaining, but on that occasion that drew one and lost their last four games of the campaign to finish fourth. Such a collapse could see them blow it again, but there are a number of important differences between the two seasons. Not only was it a lot closer between Leicester and second place, which was again incidentally Tottenham, then, but they were also in poor form going into the final five weeks, managing just one win in their last nine games.

That is in stark contrast to now, when they not only look like winning every game, but they don't even look like conceding. They have kept clean sheets in each of their five consecutive wins - the first time they have ever managed that in the top flight - and another clean sheet today would see them keep six in a row for the first time in any division since 1979-80. They have now kept 11 clean sheets in their last 15 league outings having only kept three in their opening 18, conceding just five goals in those 15 games.

They have only been beaten once in that time as well, when Arsenal hit them late on at the Emirates, but since that defeat they are unbeaten in seven games, with six victories in that time. Their magnificent form stretches back a lot further, though, even to before the start of this season. In their last 42 Premier League games going back more than a year, Leicester have only been beaten four times, with 28 wins and 10 draws.

They have been impressive both home and away, boasting the best record in the league in both having amassed the same number of home points as Spurs, but in fewer games. They are unbeaten in front of their own fans in the league since September - a run of 12 matches that includes eight wins and four draws. That 5-2 loss at the hands of Arsenal is their only defeat here all season, and stretching back to the tail end of the previous campaign their only loss in 19 home league outings.

They have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games at the King Power, with the only exception being a 2-2 draw with West Brom, which is a significant improvement on just one clean sheet from their first eight games of the season here. That has helped Leicester to already guarantee their place in next season's Champions League and to move within three wins of the title, and another victory today would also set a new outright club record for number of victories in a single campaign (22).

Even if West Ham manage to do what many teams have tried and failed to recently and get a goal here at the King Power, Leicester's recovery from such a setback is usually impressive too. Incredibly, the Foxes have trailed for just 47 minutes in their 22 Premier League games since the start of November 2015, so should the Hammers find themselves taking the lead, rule number one for them has to be to protect it at first.

That may be easier said than done for a West Ham side who have shipped quite a few goals of late, conceding two of more in each of their last four outings. It has been a disappointing spell for Bilic's side, who have been so impressive for the majority of the season but are now in danger of seeing their good work slip away. They will be desperate to arrest their recent slump and make another push for the top four over the closing weeks of the campaign.

Probably the worst-case scenario for West Ham now is that they take their foot off the pedal and miss out on European football altogether, which would be a shame after such a good final season at the Boleyn Ground. They also fell in the FA Cup in midweek, going down 2-1 at the hands of Manchester United to see their last hope of silverware extinguished. It is a tall order for them to bridge what is now a seven-point gap to fourth-placed Arsenal, but a victory over the league leaders today would give them a much-needed boost.

It is now five games without a win in all competitions for West Ham, having won four in a row prior to this recent slump. They have been tough to beat in that time and, like Leicester, come into this game on a seven-match undefeated streak in the Premier League, with their last loss coming on February 6 at the hands of Southampton. However, the last three of those have all been draws, which have cost them some valuable points in the top-four race.

Indeed, draws have been the main problem for West Ham all season, with last weekend's 3-3 thriller against Arsenal being the 13th time that they have shared the spoils this term. They have actually lost fewer games than the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, who are all above them in the table, but too many draws simply means too many dropped points. West Ham have only lost two of their last 19 Premier League outings, but 10 of those have ended level.

Their away form will also be of some concern, despite only four teams having amassed more points on the road all season. The Hammers' tally of 24 points away from home is certainly nothing to be ashamed about, and is actually only four fewer than they have managed at home, but the majority of those points came in the opening months of the season. They began with hugely impressive wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, winning four and drawing one of their opening five away games of the campaign. Since then, though, they have only won two of their last 11 and having not kept a clean sheet in their last seven - a run that stretches back to before Christmas.

It is a relatively kind end to the campaign for the Hammers, though, with this match aside. They take on Watford, West Brom and Swansea in their next three games, with all of those clubs pretty much safe from relegation now. before taking on Manchester United in what could prove to be a big game in the race for Europe. They then conclude their season against Stoke - another side with little left to fight for - and with three of those final five coming at home they will fancy their chances of picking up a decent amount of points between now and the end of the campaign.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the King Power, which means that it is time for a prediction! The hosts have been in such good form recently, and just as importantly look very solid. West Ham have the ability to end their clean sheet record - and I think they will - but the form book points to Leicester victory, which I'm inclined to agree with. I'll go for 2-1 to the hosts!

Leicester have actually won the last three meetings against West Ham by that very scoreline, including two already this season. The teams met in the reverse fixture back in August, when Okazaki and Mahrez were on the scoresheet for Leicester and Payet got the solitary reply for the hosts at Upton Park, while they were also drawn against each other in the League Cup third round. That one went all the way to extra time, but Andy King scored the winner to seal another 2-1 victory.

It is West Ham who edge the record in the Premier League era, though, with 10 wins from their 17 meetings compared to just five wins for Leicester and two draws. However, they have not won a top-flight away game against Leicester since 2000, when goals from Paulo Wanchope (2) and Paolo Di Canio cancelled out Emile Heskey's strike to give the Hammers a 3-1 win at Filbert Street.

We're almost ready to get started at the King Power, but before we do allow me to point you in the direction of the latest edition of our podcast 'The Dugout'. Have a listen below!

Right, we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff now! Remember, a win today would take Leicester to within two wins of the Premier League title. Just incredible...

KICKOFF: Here we go then! The King Power is rocking as West Ham get us underway in the latest chapter of this fairytale season.

OFF THE POST! Oh my word, Lady Luck really is on Leicester's side! How this one hasn't gone in for West Ham in the opening seconds, I don't know. Payet whips a free kick into the middle which Kouyate steers towards goal with a header. Schmeichel gets a brilliant fingertip to the ball to turn it onto the inside of the post, and it rolls along the line and strikes the other post before being gathered by the keeper. Unbelievable.

CHANCE! Half a chance for West Ham again as they come forward down the middle of the pitch. The ball is knocked out to the left channel for Payet, who blasts over from an angle.

Leicester have made the brighter start in their recent games, with most teams looking to sit off them nowadays, but that hasn't been the case here. West Ham are looking to get on the front foot and they will be pleased with the opening five minutes.

Another half-chance for the visitors, and it comes from another free kick too. Again Payet is the man to swing the ball into the middle and this time Antonio gets his head to it, but it doesn't trouble Schmeichel.

Two clumsy pieces of defending in quick succession from Ogbonna. The first sees his lucky to avoid giving away a penalty when he wrestles with Vardy inside the box, but the ref does spot the second with the defender clattering into Okazaki. Free kick in a good crossing position..

CHANCE! Huge chance for Leicester to break the deadlock! Albrighton lifts the free kick into the middle and both Morgan and Huth go for it. It is too high for Morgan, but Huth gets a good head to it and really should score. Instead, he steers his effort a yard wide.

SHOT! This is better from Leicester now. Mahrez is able to carry the ball for the first time and he advances towards the edge of the area before Noble is able to slow him down. Mahrez then knocks it back to Drinkwater, who drives a powerful effort over the crossbar.

Schmeichel has the woodwork to thank for passing this milestone...

Leicester have now gone over 500 minutes without conceding a goal in the #BPL. Just.

It's 0-0 (14 mins) #LEIWHU pic.twitter.com/6q4L7MwLqh — Premier League (@premierleague) April 17, 2016

West Ham did make a bright start to this match, getting on the front foot, but Leicester have since settled into the game and are now seeing the majority of the ball here.

Indeed, the possession stats have just popped up showing that the Foxes have enjoyed 70% of the ball. Still not much from open play for them, though.

Leicester make the breakthrough with a classic counter-attacking goal! The ball is played out to Mahrez, who carries it forward before sliding a clever pass inside for Kante. He in turn gives it out wide for Vardy, who buries a clinical finish into the bottom corner. Brilliant goal for the Foxes, and the title dream comes one step closer.

This match was shaping up to be another tense affair, like the Sunderland game last week, so that goal will be a huge weight off Leicester's shoulders. With their defensive record of late as well, West Ham have a lot of work to do!

The Leicester fans chant that they're going to win the league, and they won't be the only ones believing now. There is just no stopping this side at the moment. What a story this season has been.

The concern for Leicester from this opening 24 minutes will be that they have conceded a number of free kicks in crossing positions, and West Ham have won the majority of the aerial battles that have followed. They need to cut that out a bit.

Another cross into the middle causes problems as Kouyate steals in at the back post, but he just overruns the ball and can get enough contact on his header to make anything of it. Moments later Moses has a shot from range, but Morgan makes the block.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon is shown to Vardy for a challenge on Kouyate, although that is a harsh one from Jonathan Moss.

West Ham have responded really well to going behind here, seeing 71% of the ball in the last 10 minutes. The problem is that Leicester are so dangerous on the break - as they showed with the goal - that they can afford to now sit back and just wait to win the ball back before counter-attacking.

YELLOW CARD! Another card is shown to Reid, and he can have no complaints with this one as he clatters into Okazaki from behind.

West Ham, for all of their possession since the opening goal, have not threatened an equaliser so far. Their main source of chances is still coming via set pieces, but Leicester have stopped giving so many of those away too.

It's been quite the season for the man...

11 – Jamie Vardy has scored the opening goal in 11 Premier League games this season; more than any other player. Blocks.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 17, 2016

This game is more open than last week's against Sunderland, which will certainly suit Leicester better than at the Stadium of Light. West Ham also like playing like that, though, and they have the players to hurt the hosts if they get the chance.

This time it is a Leicester free kick that causes problems as West Ham make a real mess of clearing their lines, inviting more and more pressure on them. Nothing comes of it, but this is a good spell for the home side.

YELLOW CARD! Noble is the third name in the book in this first half for a late challenge on Drinkwater. Again, he left Jonathan Moss no real choice there.

YELLOW CARD! Payet also goes into the book for a sliding challenge from behind on Vardy. Another correct decision from Jonathan Moss.

Today's game was always likely to draw comparisons between the key players of both sides, and so far it is Leicester who are winning that battle. They have kept Payet quiet today, while Mahrez, Vardy and Kante have all been heavily involved.

There will be just one added minute at the end of this first half.

The referee brings an end to the first half here at the King Power, and it has been another good half for Leicester. They lead West Ham 1-0, but there have been a few scares along the way. The Foxes weathered an early storm from the Hammers, but settled into the game and soon took the lead to move one step closer to the title.

The goal came in the 18th minute at the end of a quick counter-attack from Leicester as Schmeichel bowled the ball out to Mahrez, who slid a good pass inside for Kante. He carried it through the middle before finding Vardy, who buried his finish into the bottom corner with his weaker foot. It was a fine goal from the home side, with their three best performers this season all heavily involved.

The Foxes were so close to falling behind after just two minutes, but fortune was very much on their side. Payet's free kick was nodded towards goal by Kouyate, but Schmeichel got a crucial fingertip to turn it onto the post. It bounced off the upright, trickled across the line and hit the other post before Schmeichel then gratefully fell on the ball. West Ham couldn't have come any closer to scoring without actually doing so, although Emenike lacked predatory instincts while the ball was rolling across the line.

There has also been another clear chance for Leicester, which arrived in the 10th minute when Robert Huth found himself unmarked from a free kick. He got a good head to the ball too, but steered his effort wide of the target when he probably should have scored.

West Ham haven't played too badly, and started the match particularly well, with Payet firing over from a tight angle moments after Kouyate hit both posts. They responded well to going behind too, and have posed a particular threat from set pieces.

KICKOFF: Leicester get us back underway for the second half, and the first thing to tell you is that the Hammers have made a change at the break, with Andy Carroll replacing Obiang.

Leicester will have to be especially careful not to give away set pieces in crossing positions with Carroll on the pitch now. Morgan and Huth are both commanding centre-backs, but they have struggled with aerial balls into the box today.

CHANCE! The first corner with Carroll on the field comes for West Ham, and sure enough the striker meets the ball. He ends up needing to go for goal with a diving header, but he mistimes it and ends up sending a presentable chance comfortably wide.

SAVE! A save for Schmeichel to make, but it is a simple one for the keeper. Kouyate looked to place his effort towards goal, but it was straight at Schmeichel and lacked any real power.

CHANCE! Decent chance for Leicester as Fuchs puts a good cross into the box for Huth, who has gone upfield for a throw-in moments before. However, the defender leaps too early and is on his way down when he gets his head to the ball, only being able to steer it wide.

LEICESTER SUB: The hosts make their first change of the afternoon as Jeffrey Schlupp replaces Albrighton.

CLOSE! Leicester are pushing for a second here! Drinkwater comes forward and gives it out to Okazaki down the left channel, who in turn feed a cross/shot across the face of goal. It is right between the keeper and the defence, but Vardy is just a yard short of tapping it in at the back post.

Now then! A twist for Leicester here as their goalscorer Jamie Vardy is shown a second yellow for diving! The striker bursts into the penalty area and is challenged by Ogbonna, before throwing himself to the ground. He asks for a penalty, but instead a free kick is given and the England man gets his marching orders. It is a big call from Jonathan Moss, but it is the correct one - Vardy was looking for that.

What a huge impact that could have on this game, and indeed the title race. They will now be without Vardy through suspension and have to see out more than half an hour of this game with 10 men.

LEICESTER SUB: Ranieri wastes no time in making a change in the wake of that red card, with Leonardo Ulloa replacing Okazaki.

OFF THE POST! West Ham are inches away from levelling things up in some style through Reid. A cross arrives from the right and the defender leaps in the air at the front post before attempting a Zola-esque flick. His effort clips the outside of the post, though, and Leicester survive again.

WEST HAM SUB: A second change from the visitors as Noble makes way to be replaced by Manuel Lanzini.

With that Vardy red card and Okazaki sub, Leicester have lost those two bundles of energy up front to put pressure on the Hammers defence. Ulloa doesn't quite offer the same nuisance factor, although he should be able to hold the ball up well.

The crowd roar their side on as Leicester continue to battle away here with 10 men. There hasn't been too much difference in the game since Vardy was sent off, but West Ham are seeing more and more of the ball.

As expected, West Ham have controlled possession since that Vardy red card, and that is likely to be the case for the last 20 minutes of the game. Leicester have survived 15 minutes with their 10 men so far, though, and they have just 20 to go.

Ulloa has done well on a couple of occasions since coming on, just holding the ball up well and taking pressure off his side. Leicester as a team are still looking to commit men forward on the break too, which is great to see.

WEST HAM SUB: A third and final change for the visitors sees Enner Valencia replace Moses.

Shooting chance for Emenike as the ball breaks to him on the edge of the area, but he fires an effort high and wide of the target.

Half a chance for West Ham again as Carroll wins another header in the area, knocking it down to Ogbonna. He has his back to goal, though, and the ball never really drops for him to make anything of it and the Foxes deal with the danger.

The work rate of Leicester is phenomenal, and I suppose if any team could go down to 10 men, it is them consider how hard they work. They are doing a fine job of keeping West Ham at bay now.

YELLOW CARD! Morgan goes into the book for a challenge on Carroll, but more danger could come as this is a free kick right on Payet territory...

LEICESTER SUB: Before the free kick, though, Leicester make their final change as Mahrez is replaced by Daniel Amartey.

SHOT! Payet is unable to pull one of his specials out of the bag this time as it sails well over the top, with none of the dip and swerve that usually makes him so deadly.

Good work from Leicester as they keep the ball deep in the West Ham half with intelligent play both on and off the ball. With the exception of Reid's flick which hit the post, there has been very little for the hosts to worry about since the red card.

Almost a chance for the visitors as Leicester fail to deal with a ball into the box, which bounces around dangerously. It eventually drops to Valencia at the back post, but he misses his kick.

The Hammers level things up late on here, and it is another huge decision from Jonathan Moss. There has been grappling at the corners all day, and Moss has handed out a few warnings, but this is certainly not the worst offence as Morgan is penalised for dragging down Reid, who rather threw himself to ground. Leicester are incensed, but Carroll keeps his cool to tuck the resulting spot kick home. Big moment in the title race!

Incredible turnaround from West Ham as they get a second goal in as many minutes to take the lead! It is some strike from Cresswell too as he fires a magnificent half-volley into the top corner from the edge of the area, leaving Schmeichel no chance. Brilliant goal and one that will delight fans of Spurs as much as it will West Ham supporters!

PENALTY SHOUT! Now Leicester want a penalty as Huth goes down inside the area under a challenge from Ogbonna. That is more of a penalty than the one that was given against Leicester!

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match.

You just have to laugh at the twists and turns this game throws up! Unbelievable scenes at the King Power as Leicester nick a draw that will feel like a win. They have felt hard done by by the ref today, but he gives them a rather soft penalty in the final minute as Schlupp goes down under the challenge of Carroll just inside the area. With Vardy and Mahrez off it is down to Ulloa, who makes no mistake to fire it home.

Things are never straightforward in the Premier League are they?! Leicester rescue a point from the jaws of defeat following an action-packed, controversial match at the King Power Stadium. At the end of the day it does open the door a little for Tottenham Hotspur, who could close the gap to five points with a win over Stoke on Monday night, but the manner in which they got the draw will make it feel like a win. This Leicester side have so much fighting spirit, and they showed it again today.

It was Leicester who led for the vast majority of the match courtesy of Vardy's 18th-minute strike as he put a clinical finish to a flowing counter-attack. However, things were made tough for the hosts when Vardy was later sent off, being shown a second yellow for diving, and West Ham's numerical advantage eventually counted when they scored twice in the final 10 minutes. The first came via a contentious penalty as Reid was adjudged to have been dragged down by Morgan, and Carroll stepped up to tuck the spot kick away. Cresswell then fired a magnificent strike into the top corner to put his side ahead just two minutes later, but there was still one more twist to come as Ulloa levelled things up from the spot with the last action of the match.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was another thrilling contest in this most unpredictable of seasons as Leicester rescue a late draw against the Hammers. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!