Leicester

I'm not sure how well y'all match up with Arsenal. Kind of like how Arsenal doesn't match up with Southhampton for some reason. We beat y'all pretty easily at the King Power. It is more a must win for Arsenal so I think they win.

I'd put Leicesters chances around 30% tio win the title. Can't have Mahrez miss any extended time.

quote:

---

I fell in love with the Foxes about the time of the great escape. 

---

You picked the right great escape.

Honestly, the way they play the game gives them a pretty good chance to close out the season. Most people thought that they would have crumbled by now, and that's not the case. They also have players who seem to be fit for their roles and a ton of chemistry.

Here's the deal. They're playing the exact style you need to win the Premier League. They sit and play solid, disciplined defense and hit you on the counter, and they do that very very well. Because of Mahrez is pretty much Player of the Season and Vardy is out of his mind obsessed with hitting the back of the net, I don't see them dropping the ball on this one. Add to the fact that they have no outside tournaments to worry about, and I see a rested, healthy Foxes team taking it home.

Why is this happening? Outside of all of the amazing narrative, let me reiterate that they style of play they employ is one many a team have used to win the league. It's also the style that pretty much every one of the usual Top 4 clubs are going away from to that style to win in Europe. That's become their goal. Free-flowing, pass heavy, possession-based football has been what is seen as the way to win European titles. So, these clubs are in a physical league, playing in multiple tournaments, and really trying to mold their style of play into that of the style Barca used not too long ago. It's just difficult.

Here come the Foxes with old faithful in terms of tactics and multiple players who are in insane form and having career seasons. Arsenal spanked them earlier so we'll see how that goes, but I think a good outing will be a great sign for them.

The issue for Foxes against Arsenal is that Arsenal's play style is and has been for a bit, in essence, a perfect hybrid of the style teams are trying to emulate and the style that has been successful. They are a possession-based, pass-heavy team, but they rely much less on build up and more on speed out of pure necessity.

Instead of seeing tons of build up with triangles all over being used to shred defenses apart, you'll see Arsenal use the long ball and the width necessary for success in the Premier League. Barcelona's Tiki Taka just wouldn't work for the duration of the season because it's much more physical in England, and definitely not without the players they had when it was at its most gorgeous. Any tactic that involves tons of passing in the build up at a slow pace up the pitch would be met with physical defense leading to a really, really long season for them. That's why a lot of super talents struggle when they go to England. It's also why they haven't won much hardware, either. It requires a lot physically to survive a season and a consistently high level of play.

So, Foxes are facing an opponent who can pass you to death but has no problem booming down the pitch, either. That means it's tougher to break them on the counter when they play at their best, and it also means that they limit your chances on the counter due to their possession and ability to keep the ball limiting your attack dramatically when playing well. I mean, this seems ridiculous, but that's exactly what you would do on FIFA to beat all of the counter attacking teams that people play with so much. The best defense is to not let them have the ball.

So, really, it's all about what type of Arsenal we see. That's not due to Leicester not being skilled enough to beat an in-form Arsenal because I don't think they're a fluke. I just believe that an Arsenal who is playing well will be really tough to hit with the shock and awe I've seen them use to downright rustle some top clubs jimmies all season. The positive is that Leicester are literally sky high in confidence and chemistry right now, and that is probably the most important thing right now.

I believe they can beat Arsenal, but I think that it'll take them being very disciplined in defense and patient enough to keep Arsenal from making them desperate and chasing the ball. If they keep their cool and let the chances come to them, they'll have a great chance.

Enjoyed the really good posts on Leicester from both you guys.

I've only seen a few of their matches against some of the stronger sides this year but am probably most impressed that they're keeping pace in not dropping more points against the lower half of the table than their competitors. That would still seem the "risk" for them down the stretch.


I'd be happy to see Ranieri actually pull off a title. Still stings that he fell short on the last day of the season of topping Mourinho's treble winning Inter squad when at Roma.

What he's done with Liecester kind of remind me of what he did at Roma when he came in and simplified the approach from Spalletti's "champagne" 4-6-0 to a disciplined counter attacking style that simply depended on Totti to create some magic on counters but the key was getting all the players to buy in 100% and outwork the opponents.

They are still two points clear. Next two matches are at home against Norwich and West Brom. They just need to keep dreaming.

quote:

---

Next two matches are at home against Norwich and West Brom

---

Next question.

I'm gutted for you. I have nothing against arsenal at all, but was really pulling for Leicester today. I still think they have an excellent shot, squad seem mentally tough.