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Leicester City on home stretch

Leicester City’s run to the crown of the Barclay’s Premier League is being enjoyed by many because all supporters know that it is not their traditional opponent.  Man United fans know it’s not Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool nor their noisy neighbours, Man City. A Tottenham Hotspur’s win would definitely annoy Arsenal fans. So Leicester is the team all fans want to win.

Never mind their dull 1-0  wins that have now come to seven, Leicester are seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham with six games to play. They play against Sunderland tomorrow and my advice is; don’t bet against the Foxes. Jimmy Carragher told SkySports this week that winning 1-0 gives Leicester the air of a true champion because they are winning games even on days when they are not in top form. And there are statistics to back that up. In 1997/8 season, Arsenal had seven 1-0 wins when they became champions, Man United had 10 of those in 2008/9 season when they became champions, in 2004/5 season Chelsea won their first Championship under Mourinho with 11 of those 1-0 margins. So the Foxes are walking the same path other champions treaded on.

And Leicester’s job could be made even simpler this evening if close contenders Tottenham flounder against Man United. I have a feeling United could win this match at the expense of Tottenham. United now have a lot of pace going forward than before. Tottenham’s great asset has been the fluidity and pace going forward owing to the young players in their squad. But United now have that same advantage. The worst United can do is draw which again will give advantage to Leicester.

In fact, since losing to West Ham at the beginning of March, Tottenham have looked tired and suspect. After that they drew against Arsenal and lost twice to Borrusia Dortmund in the Europa knockout stage. Last week they drew against Liverpool.

My only fear for my United team is that LVG’s fielding of players today could be affected by Wednesday’s FA Cup sixth round replay against West Ham. But LVG knows that today’s match is very important because only one point separates United from the Champions League position occupied by City who have since switched off Premier League ambitions to focus on the Champions League. And congrats to our noisy neighbours for a draw against PSG away in Paris. The return of Chelsea reject, Kelvin De Bruyne, gave City attacking impetus to earn a 2-2 draw.

But as for Spanish giants Real Madrid, there was no escaping from Germany efficiency and ruthlessness at the hands of clinical Wolfsburg who beat them 2-0. Madrid were sitting on their laurels after a rare win against rivals Barcelona. But they were shocked with their poor defending and individual football.

Arsenal play against in-form West Ham United today in the early kick off and I fear its doom for them. West Ham’s quality is ominous. n

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