Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expects Leicester City to retain their Barclays Premier League status, and has paid tribute to 'phenomenal' Foxes midfielder Esteban Cambiasso ahead of the leaders' trip to the King Power Stadium on Wednesday.
Leicester were bottom of the table for 140 days but an impressive run of four consecutive victories has seen them climb out of the relegation zone.
Saturday's 1-0 win at bottom club Burnley lifted them to 17th, a point clear of danger, although they now face a Chelsea side 10 points clear at the top of the table.
Chelsea's 0-0 draw at Arsenal at the weekend means they cannot clinch a fourth Barclays Premier League crown on Wednesday, and Mourinho has assured his side will not be complacent ahead of Wednesday’s match.
"I think they are going to survive," Mourinho said. "I was surprised with their bad position because they're a good team with good players.
"I'm not surprised they are out of the relegation zone and I will not be surprised when they keep in the division. They are playing well and the results are coming.
"We are never complacent, we know that they are a good team and they are a difficult opponent."
At the heart of Leicester’s midfield is former Argentina international Cambiasso, who was an influential figure in the Inter Milan team that Mourinho won the Uefa Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup treble with during the 2009/10 season.
"I won the treble with Cambiasso, he was fundamental to my golden team and he is one of the players that means a lot to me," Mourinho said.
"He is being phenomenal for them and I'm very happy for him. Next season, for sure, he will play for Leicester in the Premier League again."
Mourinho continues to have doubts over Diego Costa (hamstring) and Loic Remy (calf), although Oscar should be in contention after taking a blow to the head against Arsenal.
For Leicester, David Nugent (calf) and Jeffrey Schlupp (knock) remain doubtful.
Despite their superb form during April, when they won all four matches, manager Nigel Pearson knows there is still plenty of work ahead.
"It's been very satisfying to get four wins and it gives us a realistic chance," he said. "The only thing that matters is that we're out on the bottom three after 38 games. To do that we have to remain focused.
"There is still a lot of football to be played. Every game now has something riding on it. There's lots left to do.
"We want to try to win this next game. It will be hard against Chelsea, but there's no reason not to look at it positively.
"Chelsea will be strong on Wednesday. We expect them to be at their best and we have to be at our best. Throughout the season our fans have remained positive, but in the last few games in particular, they have inspired us."
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