Leicester's Premier League title defence has gone so badly Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka now considers them 'direct opponents' in the survival battle.
The Foxes will never forget their incredible triumph in 2016, but they begin the new year just six points above the drop zone and two in front of a Boro side who were not even in the division during their 5000/1 success.
Karanka saw his side beaten late on at Manchester United on Saturday but believes games against bottom-half rivals are key to the Teessiders' prospects.
And while Leicester are reigning champions, they fit that profile on current form.