Why Leicester are title challengers again

[TheLittleBigMan]

You Can't deny the numbers but what do we really think? I'm mean, we couldn't could we?

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50530036

[420Hashish]

I don't see why not. We're title challengers until the title is handed to a team. 

[surrifox]

For all their talk of pushing us for our title we are closer to Liverpool than Spurs finished to us in 2016 ( so yes) 

[urban.spaceman]

Premier League stats: Why Leicester are title challengers again

By Phil Dawkes

 

BBC Sport

 

1 hour ago

Leicester top the Premier League form table for the last five games after their win at Brighton

We need to talk about Leicester.

Much of the recent media focus has been on the fascinating battle between Liverpool and Manchester City, the managerial turmoil at Tottenham and the developing crises at Arsenal, Everton and West Ham.

Away from all that noise though, Brendan Rodgers' side have continued to go about their business quietly (barring one headline-grabbing result), ruthlessly and quite superbly - with Saturday's 2-0 win at Brighton keeping them second in the table, a point above the reigning champions and behind only Jurgen Klopp's unbeaten leaders.

You don't need us to remind you what happened the last time Leicester were as well-placed at this stage of a Premier League season.

And while we wouldn't suggest the Foxes book Andrea Bocelli again just yet, the stats behind their impressive start to this campaign do hint at something special brewing once more at the King Power Stadium.

Out-foxing opponents

The 2-0 win at Brighton means Leicester have equalled their best run of consecutive victories in the Premier League.

The last time they bagged five successive wins was under Claudio Ranieri back in 2015-16, the season that ended with them as, well, you know.

Unlike that late-season run four campaigns ago - which comprised four 1-0 wins and a 2-0 success - this current series of victories have come with a mightily impressive aggregate of 17-1.

Yes, nine of those goals came in one game at Southampton, but falling just one short of double figures in a Premier League game is hardly to be sniffed at. It has, after all, only been done twice before.

Leicester's joint-best Premier League runs
2015-16	2019-20
05/03/16 Watford 0-1 Leicester	19/10/19 Leicester 2-1 Burnley
14/03/16 Leicester 1-0 Newcastle	25/10/19 Southampton 0-9 Leicester
19/03/16 Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester	03/11/19 Crystal Palace 0-2 Leicester
03/04/16 Leicester 1-0 Southampton	09/11/19 Leicester 2-0 Arsenal
10/04/16 Sunderland 0-2 Leicester	23/11/19 Brighton 0-2 Leicester

They've still got some work to do if they are to challenge the overall club record for consecutive wins, which was set between 21 December and 1 February in their 2013-14 Championship title-winning season.

If they get anywhere near the Premier League record of 18 straight wins, set in 2017-18 by Manchester City, or the recent 17-game run by Liverpool, which was ended at Old Trafford in October, then we really will be in title-talk territory.

But with successive home games coming up against struggling Everton and Watford then a trip to Villa that is followed by Norwich's visit to the King Power, they look to have a decent chance of extending their fine form.

Prolific in attack

Anyone who has followed Rodgers' career will not be surprised by Leicester's attacking improvement since his arrival. This is the manager whose forward-thinking blueprint inspired Liverpool to 101 goals in the 2013-14 Premier League season.

They have more emphasis on retaining possession than under predecessor Claude Puel and are still adept at the quick switches of play to a rapid forward line that served Ranieri so well for a season, but also now have the extra intelligence and guile of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans.

As a result, Rodgers' second-placed side have had the fourth-highest number of shots in the division (147) and created the fourth-highest number of chances (139).

However, for shooting efficiency they are top of the class.

Such ruthlessness in front of goal is spearheaded by Jamie Vardy.

Not only has Vardy scored more Premier League goals than anyone else this season, he's done so more efficiently than any of his main strike rivals.

It took a couple of goes, thanks to VAR spotting some encroaching in the penalty area, but the 32-year-old scored his side's second goal from the spot at Brighton - meaning he has netted in each game of the Foxes' current winning run.

Many quality strikers down the years scored their goals in bursts, but Vardy's form inevitably evokes memories of the Foxes' title-winning season, when he netted in 11 straight games to overtake former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and set a new Premier League record.

His efforts that season left him just one short of the all-time English top-flight record for scoring in consecutive games - 12, set by Jimmy Dunne of Sheffield United in 1931-32.

Top 10 longest scoring runs in Premier League history
Run of games	Player	Club	Date of last goal in run
11	Jamie Vardy	Leicester	28/11/2015
10	Ruud van Nistelrooy	Man Utd	23/08/2003
8	Ruud van Nistelrooy	Man Utd	19/01/2002
	Daniel Sturridge	Liverpool	23/02/2014
7	Alan Shearer	Newcastle	30/11/1996
	Thierry Henry	Arsenal	09/05/2000
	Ian Wright	Arsenal	23/11/1994
	Mark Stein	Chelsea	05/02/1994
	Emmanuel Adebayor	Arsenal	11/02/2008
	Romelu Lukaku	Everton	19/12/2015

Solidity at the back

Leicester have conceded a league-low eight Premier League goals this season, with Saturday's game at Brighton their fourth consecutive clean sheet as part of a league-high six overall. 

This is no fluke. Their defensive efforts have resulted in fewer shots faced (125 - the fifth best in the division) than Liverpool (134) and a better expected goals against than Manchester City.

It is a record few would perhaps have predicted after they sold leading centre-back Harry Maguire to Manchester United in the summer for £80m.

Take a bow then, Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu.

The latter deserves particular praise. He started just four league games in 2018-19, but this season has stepped up to fill the position vacated by Maguire.

Soyuncu (2019-20) v Maguire (2018-19) for Leicester
	Soyuncu	Maguire
Games started	13	31
Tackles	27	31
Tackle success rate %	74.07	54.84
Interceptions	20	37
Aerial challenges	68	151
Aerial success rate %	66.18	78.15
Blocks	8	18
Passing accuracy %	88.16	85.58

Don't underestimate the role played in their fine defensive record by the man who patrols the area in front of them, Wilfred Ndidi.

The Nigeria player has made more tackles (62) and interceptions (37) than any other midfielder in the division this season.

They couldn't, could they?

"We're happy, we're not shying away from anything, but I just think there are only 13 games gone."

That was what Rodgers said when asked about his side's title credentials after Saturday's win.

"What's really pleasing is the consistency," he added. "We arrived and they were in 12th and we wanted to improve and build on the good work that Claude [Puel] had done.

"What's great now is that our supporters are singing: 'We're going to win the league!' in the most competitive league in the world, so that tells you where they're at, the confidence they have and the dreams that they have, which is absolutely brilliant."

For all of the expectation-managing going on here, with a third of the season almost gone, Rodgers' side are in the title race. What is also unavoidable are the similarities with 2015-16, with Rodgers the energising force - the Ranieri to Puel's Nigel Pearson.

Rodgers' side are actually a point better off than Ranieri's were at the same stage in 2015-16.

Two notable factors are working against the Foxes this time around though - their rivals are stronger than in 2015-16 and, unlike then, they will surely not be underestimated.

And finally...

As a little addition, Leicester's win at Brighton was one of six away victories in the top flight on Saturday.

This is the joint second highest on a single day in Premier League history, behind only the eight on New Year's Day in 1994 - a figure aided by the fact there were 11 fixtures that day.

[urban.spaceman]

One game at a time.

 

Ignore Livarpool and let them enjoy their run at the top. 
 

Let’s do our own thing and qualify for the Champions League at the very least. 
 

Then enjoy it when Livarpool fall to pieces. 

[Vardinio'sCat]

Of course we could, but that is a long way from will...

[foxfanazer]

Won't be letting myself get angsty like 2015/16. Just gonna enjoy it for what it is and let the table take care of itself 

[UPinCarolina]

While nothing, literally nothing, could ever top the majesty and wonder of that 2015-16 season, the fact that it's 2019 and articles like this are even being published deserves some attention. I mean - who in their wildest dreams would have thought that we could again be title challengers 4 YEARS LATER!? It's miraculous.

[LestaAl]

As always...

 

first -40 points

second- 50 points

third- consolidate Europa league

forth- secure 4th  place or better

 

All at one game at a time, as we really don’t want to angst over what other teams are doing.

 

[Koke]

Just need Liverpool to lose 1 game for me to entertain any title talk. 8 points gap is quite big. If that gap is 5 points by the time we play them then I might start to believe.

 

Until then its top 4 for me atm.

[Vacamion]

 

Having achieved the summit in 2016, there is zero pressure, unlike a certain other club up up there, which has not won the league since I were a lad (and I'm bloody ancient).

 

So, just enjoy us outclassing one opponent after another and playing some of the most delicious football I've seen played, whilst pundit after pundit* drools over us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Not Chris Sutton or Liverpool fans. 

[Guest bennytwohats]

Is it right that the last time we won 5 on the bounce was our title winning team? Could be wrong, but I’m sure I read somewhere that we did 5 under Shakey also - maybe I’m mistaken.

 

Anyway, whilst it’s nice to read stuff like this I’d agree that 4th is more realistic for us right now - Liverpool are relentless and have dropped so few points over this year - an 8 point gap would be a big one to overcome. It’s a bit of a shame that some of the margins that let that gap open up have been so small - eg their last minute winner over us and some of their other late winners.

 

Top 4 would be an incredible achievement for us and at the moment we are nailing that brief so I’m happy to continue trying to focus on that and enjoy teams like United, Arsenal, Spurs dropping points rather than focussing too much on Liverpool/City

[One Arm Babba]

Let’s see where we are come December 27th. 
 

The next 4 premier league games look good on paper, if we pick up a good points haul the games against City and Liverpool will determine how good we really are. I think the confidence factor can’t be underestimated, and th dame against Liverpool will be very different to the one at Anfield. 
 

with Man City’s injuries at the back and Liverpool’s number of games, there is potential for them both to drop points. 

[bfox]

Conceding 1 goal in 10 is madness! 

[AyewJoking]

Liverpool are flying and they'll know we'll be delighted with top 4 as would chelsea.

Man city most likely challengers but theyre just trying to catch up so far.

 

 If you were a scouser youd be sitting pretty comfortably in your council house right now.

 

[AYLESBURY FOX 1961]

I will start to believe if we go to man city and win and then beat liverpool with a jamie vardy screamer - until then I can enjoy it. If it happens then every weekend of 2020 will be full of angst - just like 2016.....

[Saxondale]

Been thinking about this recently. Not saying we'll do it, but...

...every year, Liverpool drop off. Yes, they look amazing this season, but they have done in the past and they've still managed to drop off. 

 

Every year, people try to pick the PL winner at Christmas. It's a long season. Let's just see what happens.

[fuchsntf]

Anything above 2nd is Bisto....

Anything below 4th....is a soppy wimpy Burger....

[Stoopid]

1 hour ago, Royston. said:

Liverpool are flying and they'll know we'll be delighted with top 4 as would chelsea.

Man city most likely challengers but theyre just trying to catch up so far.

 

 If you were a scouser youd be sitting pretty comfortably in your council house right now.

 

In your council house? 

Can't quite decide if I'm more dismayed by the laziness of that little gem, or its snobbery...

[Hangryfox]

Well, given our league position, we’re definitely challengers.

[Fox92]

Of course we are. Don't need numbers to prove it, we're one point ahead of the current champions ffs.

 

The only issue is how good Liverpool are, I can't see them dropping many points, and when Laporte is back for Manchester City.

[Guest worth_the_wait]

9 hours ago, bennytwohats said:

Is it right that the last time we won 5 on the bounce was our title winning team? Could be wrong, but I’m sure I read somewhere that we did 5 under Shakey also - maybe I’m mistaken.

 

Yeah, that's correct.

 

We won 5 league games on the trot (27th Feb - 4th Apr 2017)

 3–1 v Liverpool (home)

 3–1 v Hull City (home)   
 3-2 v West Ham Utd (away)

 2-0 v Stoke City (home)

 2-0 v Sunderland (home)

 

with a 2-0 win over Sevilla thrown in there, between Hull and West Ham.

 

[Guest worth_the_wait]

9 hours ago, Koke said:

Just need Liverpool to lose 1 game for me to entertain any title talk. 8 points gap is quite big. If that gap is 5 points by the time we play them then I might start to believe.

 

Until then its top 4 for me atm.

Or put that a slightly better way ... we just need Liverpool to draw a couple of games.  I feel that's more likely at the moment, than anyone actually beating them.  

 

Then we can be the first to beat them in the League this season on Boxing Day ....................  

 

 

[Mythyaar]

Fitness could play a part in the title this season. Our current first 11 is a match for anyone, and the general consensus is that we are going to be very difficult to beat. However, a few key injuries, particularly at the back and up front, and that situation could change quickly.

 

We had very few injuries 2015/16 whereas Spurs, City and Arsenal had more than their fair share.

This season, Allison aside, LFC haven't had many injuries. But if either Mane or Fabinho were side-lined long term, they'd struggle to continue wins they've been scraping over the last two months. Add to that the World Club tournament in December, the subsequent fixture backlog that they then face in January and Feb, and Champions League commitments beyond that defending their title, If they manage to navigate through it all, they deserve the title. However, I suspect they will encounter a few blips.

 

Man City are having injury issues this season, Aguero the latest, and if that continues, they're going to struggle to maintain a challenge. Like LFC, they have more commitments/ games with the Champions league, so again, an increased chance of key injuries.

So quite simple for me. If our first 11 stay fit and healthy throughout the season, and the above clubs have a few more key injuries, we will be there at the end, challenging.

[Wolfox]

13 hours ago, foxfanazer said:

Won't be letting myself get angsty like 2015/16. Just gonna enjoy it for what it is and let the table take care of itself 

I would agree…. Used to wake up on match days with butterflies in my tummy!

 

This feels a lot more relaxing/ fun

 

15/16 was a little overwhelming at times