Leicester’s title chase turns from dream to reality if Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal tests are passed

Richard Jolly looks at the growing strength of Leicester City's Premier League title credentials and the upcoming tests they face.

Claudio Ranieri has downplayed Leicester City's title chances although if his team negotiates February, the questions will be unavoidable. Darren Staples / Reuters

It is a defining period. The most unlikely title challenge ever in the Premier League has proceeded serenely. Leicester City have confounded doubters at every turn. Their season has been played out to a backdrop of expectations that they would drop away. They still have not.

They are league leaders, but not favourites to claim the title. One of those statements could change over the next two weeks. Leicester face Liverpool on Tuesday, followed by Manchester City and Arsenal. Logically, one of the superpowers will impose their authority on the top of the table, but there has been little logic to Leicester’s improbable rise, only an example of sport’s capacity to provide heartening surprises.

They are the equivalent of the pacemaker in a long-distance run who finds himself still in the lead, casting aside the supposedly quicker runners with the speed he is maintaining.

Ten points clear of Manchester United, 19 ahead of Chelsea, Leicester have established such a gap that Claudio Ranieri is starting to field questions as to whether it will be a disappointment if they do not finish in the top four.

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For the record, only one team — Aston Villa in 2009 — have procured as many points from their first 23 games and ended up fifth or lower.

So far, Leicester have shown few signs of falling away. Because February is actually a second month to present a stiff examination of their credentials.

Leicester excelled in the first. December pitted them against United, Swansea, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool and City. They emerged from those six games with 11 points.

They remain the hardest team to beat in the Premier League. Yet the ominous omen is that two of their three defeats have come against their next three opponents.

Leicester lost 1-0 at Anfield, drew 0-0 when City visited the King Power Stadium and were beaten 5-2 at home by Arsenal. If few other teams have their number, perhaps their next three opponents might.

Ranieri’s relaxed approach may keep the pressure off his charges but there may come a time when they will be burdened with the expectation.

If the improbable becomes probable, the mindset may change. In the meantime, Leicester should be sharper, mentally and physically.

City are in four competitions, the league leaders one.

“If you are saying if it is easier when you play less games then maybe — it is a view about Leicester,” Manuel Pellegrini, the Manchester City manager, said.

While others could be exhausted because of their commitments in cup competitions, Leicester play their first game in 10 days Tuesday night.

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That said, Jurgen Klopp fielded a second-string team against West Ham United in the FA Cup on Saturday and, apart from complaining about a replay, found a sole positive.

“We will have fresh legs against Leicester,” the Liverpool manager said. “That is good news.”

Their last meeting was decided by Christian Benteke, who is likely to begin on the bench. It also marked the start of a transition in Leicester, from free-flowing to defensively solid.

The personnel have remained the same but the scorelines have been different. After only mustering three clean sheets this season, Leicester have four in the last five games.

On the other side of the equation, Jamie Vardy only has one goal in eight games and Riyad Mahrez none in six.

It explains why Leicester seem to have been looking for more firepower. Attempts to sign CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa, Chelsea’s Loic Remy and AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang are signs ambitions have been raised.

They are players who, presumably, would not have figured on Leicester’s radar in the summer and who would have dismissed a move too out of hand then.

The reality is that no one saw this coming. Leicester are now in a position where they can speculate to accumulate.

They have the prospect of Uefa Champions League riches to come and the chance to make history. First, however, they have to weather the difficulties the February fixture list poses.

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