It really has been a roller-coaster ride for fans of Leicester, or even those who have been forced to follow this remarkable story of the little team that could. It all stretches back to last year when the Foxes were facing a relegation battle which they deservingly won.
From there, Claudio Ranieri’s team have gone from ridiculous strength to strength this season with most of the population waiting all year for them to falter. There are only a few weeks left, and yet, the Foxes have still not faltered.
It is probably, legitimately, time to call this a miracle story and reward this incredible underdog team the title. People have been waiting since game one for this minnow side to trip up, but as the season has worn on, and they have made the top of the table their home, opinions have changed.
However, this year is a very strange one with the usual suspects not even in the race. Chelsea, the defending champions, had a horror run under the Special One and are planted in mid-table, far from a threat. Manchester City, the big spenders, are in third, but the other big clubs are languishing with the hopes of Champions League football only. Manchester United are in fifth, with Louis van Gaal living on a wing and a pray, while Arsenal have suffered their usual late season collapse, and Liverpool are also sitting on the outside looking in.
It is a two-horse race between Leicester and Tottenham now, and recent events have made people ask, can Leicester actually win, but also, can they stay above Tottenham and push for glory.
Spurs’ manager, Mauricio Pochettino has done an excellent job at exposing his star players to the big time. Harry Kane has backed up his previous season’s antics with the like of Dele Alli having a breakout season as well. Tottenham reminded the public that there were more than two team’s in this race when they impressed against Stoke in a convincing 4-0 victory, narrowing the gap to five points.
It is now Leicester’s to lose as they chase the title, Spurs are happy being the chasing pack, and it is up to the Foxes to not make any errors. However, their last fixture against the Hammers exposed a few cracks.
It may have ended in a 2-2 draw, and a vital point earned, but it was more luck and a very iffy referring performance that saw the result go even slightly in their way. Star striker Jamie Vardy was red carded, and his explosion at referee Jon Moss may seem him banned for more than the stipulated one game. The loss of Vardy is more than just a missing striker; the record-breaking goal scorer has been their talisman, and as the pressure mounts, it could be a costly miss.
Leicester have been emphatic all season long at winning games, but as the pressure mounts, and their fortunes start touring with the expected Vardy suspension, Ranieri’s men may crumble.
Errors are bound to appear, and it may just be that the tortoise pips the hare in the last leg of the race.
