Leicester's next 6 fixtures

[Krovv]

Exactly, 11 v 11 the match would have likely been a draw and this only shows that they are a strong side, not some plucky team who are top due to one run of form. They actually are one of the best teams in the country and not any more likely to drop points against mid-table teams than Arsenal or Spurs.

City have won grand total of zero games against top 4. If they don't beat Spurs today they will find it very tough. I think Spurs are actually the only side who have shown consistency to challenge Leicester and I normally wouldn't mind them winning at all if it wasn't for Glaston.

Agreed completely. Over the course of a season some calls will go your way and some won't, as we found out against Costa's cheating. Leicester have been consistent and fully deserve to be top. If anyone expects them to fold just because they're Leicester, then that person is wrong.

No he didn't, there was contact.

I saw a cow on the road the other day. I could've dribbled around it to score but I chose to barge right in. But the cheating scumbag ref didn't give a penalty. Wonder what that guy was smoking.

 

[Fener1907]

But Arsenal and City have been far more prone to poor performances than Leicester this season. Arsenal have gone on a poor run recently and were very lucky to win today, City were just hammered by Leicester last week. They are top of the league on merit, not luck.

They will drop points but so will teams around them. They're definitely title favourites now and today's game does not change that.

More prone to poor performances and a very poor run recently.. yet Arsenal sit only two points behind them. Their failure to build on their lead could easily be their undoing.

In reference to that bit about 'luck' in your post - it's not a talking point. Everybody knows they're there on merit, so there's no point to be refuted. It just tells me that people are a bit peeved that there are still doubts about Leicester.

 

[Dominos]

Mahrez's "penalty call" was not a penalty. Vardy dived but did it like Costa so I don't blame the ref for giving that. You're suggesting that they should've been helped by two dubious decisions instead of the one they got, which I do not agree with. Yes, the red was harsh but the penalty was not fair either.

Bottom line is 11v11 it'd have ended in a 1-1 draw as I don't think they'd have gotten past Cech who showed his class with that epic save at the beginning.

I don't think it'll derail Leicester's season though.

Vardy was a stonewall penalty. Unbelievable so many have convinced themselves otherwise, I'd love to see the reaction in the United forum if we were denied that penalty in a big game, the site would crash.

Mahrez one was a good shout as well but I've only seen one replay.

 

[Krovv]

Vardy was a stonewall penalty. Unbelievable so many have convinced themselves otherwise, I'd love to see the reaction in the United forum if we were denied that penalty in a big game, the site would crash.

Mahrez one was a good shout as well but I've only seen one replay.

Thanks, Atkinson.

 

[golden_blunder]

I'm fully behind Leicester's bid for the title (got money riding on them)

Also, it would be a great thing for the PL if they were to win it.

It means the league is more competitive, 'smaller' teams can have a go by clever investments, energy and discipline.

Better players will want to come to the PL, even to play for the likes of Leicester etc.

it opens up the eyes of the likes of United to see that there are ways to be competitive without chucking huge amounts of money at it.. the right coach, the right players, teamwork

 

[Fener1907]

The games after that don't get much harder, although I reckon they'll drop points where it's not expected, maybe against West Brom at home.

Called it.

Even if Spurs and Arsenal drop points today, it's still a long push to get over that finish line.

 

[adexkola]

They're out of the title race after the draw yesterday. The pressure is getting to them.

 

[golden_blunder]

They're out of the title race after the draw yesterday. The pressure is getting to them.

And Spurs?

Not over yet

 

[Enigma_87]

They're out of the title race after the draw yesterday. The pressure is getting to them.

Last time I checked they are 3 points clear on top with Spurs and Arsenal having to play each other this weekend?

 

[Eboue]

No team in the league is scoring two goals per game. This has been a not so great year for the league.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Great results last night for Leicester. With their last few games being tough they need to get a bit of a buffer over the next 5-6.

 

[shamans]

They're still in it. This side is the real deal and the wins aren't flukes so I'm confident they can do it. So what if they drew, the rest of the contenders lost - stuff like that happens.

Only thing that will stop them I'm afraid is injury.

 

[JamesB__]

No team in the league is scoring two goals per game. This has been a not so great year for the league.

It's been the most entertaining title race in a long time.

 

[Eboue]

It's been the most entertaining title race in a long time.

Yes, of course. I'd much rather Leicester or Spurs win than another Manchester or Chelsea side.

 

[Lurpak99]

If Leicester wins the league with their current point-per-game ratio, it'll be the third lowest in PL history.

Chelsea 04/05 - 95 points (2,50)
Manchester United 99/00 - 91 points (2,39)
Chelsea 05/06 - 91 points (2,39)
Arsenal 03/04 - 90 points (2,36)
Manchester United 08/09 - 90 points (2,36)
Manchester United 06/07 - 89 points (2,34)
Manchester City 11/12 - 89 points (2,34)
Manchester United 12/13 - 89 points (2,34)
Arsenal 01/02 - 87 points (2,28)
Manchester United 07/08 - 87 points (2,28)
Chelsea 14/15 - 87 points (2,28)
Chelsea 09/10 - 86 points (2,26)
Manchester City 13/14 - 86 points (2,26)
Manchester United 93/94* - 92 points (2,19)
Manchester United 02/03 - 83 points (2,18)
Manchester United 95/96 - 82 points (2,15)
Blackburn 94/95* - 89 points (2,11)
Manchester United 00/01 - 80 points (2,10)
Manchester United 10/11 - 80 points (2,10)
Manchester United 98/99 - 79 points (2,07)
Arsenal 97/98 - 78 points (2,05)
Leicester 15/16 - 57 points after 28 games (2,03)
Manchester United 92/93* - 84 points (2,00)
Manchester United 96/97 - 75 points (1,97)

*Played 42 games in those seasons

The league table in the 96/97 season btw.:

 

[SirAF]

Yes, of course. I'd much rather Leicester or Spurs win than another Manchester or Chelsea side.

 

[Offside]

Why are people saying they are still in it or out of it? They should still be the clear faviroutes...

 

[Hammerfell]

Why are people saying they are still in it or out of it? They should still be the clear faviroutes...

Keep your expectations low and it's hard to be disappointed. I suspect most would rather they win it ahead of Arsenal, City or Spurs if we can't.

 

[saivet]

I hope Leicester have wrapped up the league when we play them. Would be annoyed if we beat them allowing Arsenal to win the league.

 

[Cassidy]

I hope Leicester have wrapped up the league when we play them. Would be annoyed if we beat them allowing Arsenal to win the league.

This

EDIT: Unless its us going for the title

 

[TheNewEra]

I don't think Leicester will win it, I want them to but I just see something going wrong I think they're starting to run out of steam and cracks are beginning to show.

I think the bit of good fortune for Leicester is no other teams look hungry enough besides Spurs, I can see Spurs claiming it but Leicester have easier fixtures.

I'd love for it to be Leicester because after this year their whole squad will be taken apart for players as Europes elite come knocking which is sad.

 

[UweBein]

At this moment it's a question of will and grit. I think that Leicester have shown that. They could've won against West Brom and were unlucky to lose against Arsenal.
They haven't definitely faltered since that lost. It's a good sign that King was playing well as a replacement for Kante. And it's good that Kante will be available for the game after the next. Mahrez was awsome again and Vardy slots in another five they will be difficult to surpass.

 

[Ramshock]

I don't think Leicester will win it, I want them to but I just see something going wrong I think they're starting to run out of steam and cracks are beginning to show.

I think the bit of good fortune for Leicester is no other teams look hungry enough besides Spurs, I can see Spurs claiming it but Leicester have easier fixtures.

I'd love for it to be Leicester because after this year their whole squad will be taken apart for players as Europes elite come knocking which is sad.

If they handle Watford comfortably this weekend, I think they will.

 

[Needham]

No need to worry for Leicester. They have the greatest inner strength of any team in the league. Worrying aout them at this late stage is like worrying about how your Mandarin speaking neighbor will get on down the local takeaway. They all speak English anyway.

 

[Rafateria]

At this moment it's a question of will and grit. I think that Leicester have shown that. They could've won against West Brom and were unlucky to lose against Arsenal.
They haven't definitely faltered since that lost. It's a good sign that King was playing well as a replacement for Kante. And it's good that Kante will be available for the game after the next. Mahrez was awsome again and Vardy slots in another five they will be difficult to surpass.

True. They haven't faltered at all .. despite all of the pessimism shown by media and forumites. They battered WBA and were really unlucky not to win that, they were unlucky to lose to Arsenal but I don't think anyone could say undeserved because Arsenal played well that day ... however they won't be facing a team like Arsenal any more this season.

Their final 3 games are tough, but between now and then Spurs have tougher and Arsenal and City are on the ropes. I can see Leicester winning at least 5-6 of their remaining 10 and the only match I'd give as a banker against them is possibly the last where a resurgent Chelsea, with possibly/probably nothing to play for, may well beat a nervous Leicester. I hope it doesn't cost them the title & I hope Kante is back sooner rather than later !

Watford v Leicester W or D
Leicester v Newcastle W
Crystal Palace v Leicester W or D
Leicester v Southampton W or D
Sunderland v Leicester W or D
Leicester v West Ham W or D
Leicester v Swansea W
Man Utd v Leicester D
Leicester v Everton W or D
Chelsea v Leicester L

 

[Sarni]

I don't think Leicester will win it, I want them to but I just see something going wrong I think they're starting to run out of steam and cracks are beginning to show.

Fully agreed. Unlike Spurs and Arsenal who have been absolutely amazing in recent weeks (in particular Arsenal), Leicester who just drew 1 game after being on top for 87 minutes are just hopeless. City are amazingly wonderful team too, disregard the last 15 results.

Why do people keep saying that? They're top because they've been the best side in the league. It's miracle for Arsenal to be just 6 points behind them at this point, they could have easily been 8 or 10 points behind.

 

[Sarni]

True. They haven't faltered at all .. despite all of the pessimism shown by media and forumites. They battered WBA and were really unlucky not to win that, they were unlucky to lose to Arsenal but I don't think anyone could say undeserved because Arsenal played well that day ... however they won't be facing a team like Arsenal any more this season.

Their final 3 games are tough, but between now and then Spurs have tougher and Arsenal and City are on the ropes. I can see Leicester winning at least 5-6 of their remaining 10 and the only match I'd give as a banker against them is possibly the last where a resurgent Chelsea, with possibly/probably nothing to play for, may well beat a nervous Leicester. I hope it doesn't cost them the title & I hope Kante is back sooner rather than later !

Watford v Leicester W or D
Leicester v Newcastle W
Crystal Palace v Leicester W or D
Leicester v Southampton W or D
Sunderland v Leicester W or D
Leicester v West Ham W or D
Leicester v Swansea W
Man Utd v Leicester D
Leicester v Everton W or D
Chelsea v Leicester L

I think they'll drop points to Watford at the weekend, beat Newcastle, drop points to Palace, beat Southamptn, Sunderland, West Ham and Swansea and will be top by at least 3 points at the end of this run. Then it'll be up for them to do well in the final 3 games. Everton at home will not be that tough IMO.

 

[soap]

I hope Leicester have wrapped up the league when we play them. Would be annoyed if we beat them allowing Arsenal to win the league.

Yeah. I'll probably get slated for saying this (and perhaps rightly so) but I hope we lose against them if we have nothing to play for.

 

[darioterios]

have their meal prepared by everyone

 

[Truedevil]

I'm rooting for a Watford win, that'd put us 7 points behind them provided we win tomorrow and we will also have them at OT soon.

 

[Samid]

Palace (A)
Soton (H)
Sunderland (A)
West Ham (H)
Swansea (H)

They aren't surviving this.

 

[adexkola]

Shoutout to everyone who keeps on pushing the collapse out further and further

 

[royboy16]

Still think Spurs will pinch it.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Still think Spurs will pinch it.

Me too.

Nice things don't happen in football

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

Me too.

Nice things don't happen in football

Spurs winning it would be a "nice thing" too if it weren't for GlastonSpur.

 

[Danny1982]

I still say they will bottle it.

8 games is a lot of games and the margin is still not really big. 2 games and things could easily change.

 

[stepic]

Don't see why Tottenham, their only real rivals now surely, are in any better position to let the pressure not get to them. It's a new experience for both sides.

 

[rcoobc]

Spurs havent been top yet

 

[Jed I. Knight]

Palace (A)
Soton (H)
Sunderland (A)
West Ham (H)
Swansea (H)

They aren't surviving this.

They'll lose points from those matches, that's absolutely certain.

But, Spurs have this run at the same time:

Bournemouth (H)
Liverpool (A)
United (H)
Stoke (A)
WBA (H)

If Leicester manage to take nine points I'm from their next five, I'm pretty certain they'll keep (or even widen) their current five point gap. Seeing how they pretty much don't lose matches, it should be doable. But I an see them losing one of the games, drawing two and winning two, picking up eight points. After that it will well and truly be squeaky bum time for them.

 

[Raw]

Spurs: Bournemouth H, Liverpool A, Man Utd H, Stoke A, West Brom H, Chelsea A, Southampton H, Newcastle A
Arsenal: Everton A, Watford H, West Ham A, Palace H, Sunderland A, Norwich H, City A, Villa H

I included Arsenal in the title race as they've got the easiest fixture list in my opinion. Could still easily bottle it mind.

Let's say Spurs get 5 wins and 3 draws. That puts them on 76. Probably a bit generous considering their difficult fixtures, but hey.
Arsenal to get 6 wins and 3 draws. That puts them on 73. Again, maybe a bit generous as they've been pretty shite recently but you never know if they end up going on one of their winning runs again.

Leicester would basically need 14 points out of 24. May look easy but come crunch time in their final few fixtures, they could easily bottle it. I sure hope not. Win their next 3 and they've practically won it, needing 5 points in 5 games to secure it.

All hypothetical of course, it's nice to do these things. I've missed doing them when United were challenging for titles