Why Leicester City WON’T win the league. by AP
Leicester City sit 3 points clear of Tottenham, and 6 above Arsenal at the top of the League table. They are the bookmakers odds on favorites to win the league. They have been a giant killer, and at this stage agreed upon by the masses to be a true title contender.
They won’t win the league though, and here’s why.
Leicester City entered the season coming off of a tough relegation battle. Most believed that this year would be no different for the squad. The approach of all teams when facing LC was to get 3 points, to take it to them. This was a team that all other teams believed they could handle. The reality was that LC were a counter-attacking juggernaut the likes of which these teams not only hadn’t seen but were ill equipped to deal with. Vardy exploded for goals, Kante dominated the center of the pitch with his tackling and transition game, and Mahrez was a marvel.
They still are this team. This is why when facing Man City they can look so dominant. When teams take it to them they are playing into the hands of Ranieri’s squad. However, the league now realizes how good LC are. The lower half teams that once played aggressively to take all 3 points won’t try the same thing in the reverse fixture. Now LC will receive the treatment that top teams are accustomed to. A far more defensive style. Teams in the relegation battle will be happy to take even a single point off the league leaders.
Alex Neil employed a flat 5 back lineup against LC. Norwich had two CB’s bracketing Vardy the entire game. Tony Pulis used a similar strategy when LC faced West Brom. They played 10 men in the box and looked to cling to the single point.
LC play against Sunderland, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, and Watford on the run in. All these teams will be more than satisfied with taking a single point off of Leicester. Leicester will now for the first time all season have to break down teams that are setting up to defend all game against them. And though they did score a key 89th minute goal against Norwich, if the last two games are any indication they are in trouble.
GunnerThought