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Flying foxes

Starting the 2015–16 season as relegation candidates and quoted at 5,000–1, Leicester City FC improbably went on to win the title in one of the most extraordinary seasons in English football

A rampant Leicester City welcomed an Arsenal side void of confidence to the King Power stadium last weekend. For the first time, the Foxes entered into the game as favourites as Brendan Roger's side sat comfortably with a six-point cushion over their opponents. Though the game started quietly, their main man, Jamie Vardy, handed them the lead in the 68th minute and with a host of chances in the final quarter, Leicester settled for a 2-0 victory after the second from James Maddison.

The Foxes' rises so far also need to be credited to the Englishman, Maddison. With an eye for passing the ball aided with exquisite execution, he stands second to none concerning the quality he provides. He along with Vardy has established one of the most feared counter-attacking sides in the league that can get the better of any defense.

On the other hand, Jamie Vardy is shaping up to be a legend for the club. Yet again, he is on top of the goal-scoring charts and there seems no better striker than the 32-year-old in the league. His knack for scoring goals along with his dedication to the ball was on display with him netting one and setting one up for Maddison.

Just like the 2015/16 season, when they defied all odds to win their solitary Premier League title, the Foxes are riding on the same high. This season they have not lost 10 of their 12 games – having lost to Manchester United and table toppers, Liverpool. In both these instances, they were unlucky not to walk off without a point. Though they are on second, they are just one point ahead of title contenders, Manchester City.

To keep the vital one-point lead intact, the Foxes need to be on top of their game. Their title contention also depends on Liverpool's results, who are yet to be defeated and look ruthless to lift the crown after missing it by a whisker last season. Never the less, Leicester can undoubtedly play for a Champions League berth, if not win the Premier League, and also block City's run to the title. For such scenarios to happen, one entity needs to remain intact – Leicester needs to remain undefeated – both home and away.

Recording the biggest ever English top-flight away win by beating Southampton, the 9-0 victory at a rain-sodden St Mary's earlier stands as a testimony to how lethal has the foxes turned out to be. It was also the first time a team had scored nine away goals in the Premier League and equalled Manchester United's record 9-0 Premier League win achieved at home against Ipswich Town in 1995.

Over the past 10 seasons, 88 per cent of clubs inside the top four on Christmas Day has finished there at the end of the campaign. Leicester City is flying high in second place after 12 Premier League games and they will hope to maintain their top-four spot heading into the busy festive period in a few weeks. A second premier league title may not be possible, but having said that, they did manage to win a season with 5000-1 odds against them.

Without much focus on the other team's results, if the Foxes can create an unbeaten run with Liverpool dropping a few points here and there, we might be up for a smacking season as we head towards the business end next year, with three possible contenders to the title – Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester City.

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