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By John Lewis | 7 DEC 2019
If there is one thing that we know about Leicester City it is that you don’t, under any circumstance write them off. This was the team who came from almost getting relegated one season to lifting the Premier League trophy the next. Bookmakers were offering 5000/1 on Leicester that season, something and if you check out the best bettings sites you’ll that things are very different this season. This season most expected the Foxes to finish in the top 8, with a push towards the top 4, they have so far exceeded all expectations and here are the stats that suggest they, and not Manchester City, will be the ones chasing Liverpool down this season.
Expected Goals Against
Leicester have so far conceded just 8 goals in the Premier League, less than any other side in the division. This is a stunning stat given the fact that they sold their defensive rock Harry Maguire in the summer. His replacement however, the relatively unknown Çağlar Söyüncü and partner Johnny Evans, have formed a formidable partnership in from of Kasper Schmeichel. To give a little bit more context to how good Çağlar Söyüncü has been, he has played 18 less games than Maguire this season and made just 4 less tackles, as well as having a better percentage of aerial duels, interceptions and blocks. Not only have they conceded the least, but their expected goals against figures are third lowest in the league.
Attacking Edge
The Foxes are incredibly efficient in front of goal and they are the second highest scorers in the league. That figure is slightly skewed of course given their 9-0 drubbing of Southampton, but there are more stats to back up just how good they have been in front of goal. The Foxes have the best shot conversion rate in the league and so too does their star man Jamie Vardy, who has converted over 40% of his chances, again the best in the league.
Runs and Stats
Leicester are currently on a 5 game win streak, and they are in much better shape this year than the year that they won the title. This is a team which can really put together a good run and it is not just at home that they have been delivering, excellent performances on the road as well, notching up 4 wins and 1 draw from 7 games.
Goals From Everyone
What will be most encouraging for both Brendan Rodgers and Leicester fans this season is that they are scoring from all over the park. Vardy, Madison, Perez and Tiellemans are all adding goals for the team, and they are arguably one of the most balanced sides in the league.
There is a niggling feeling that Liverpool and City will just be too strong for everyone once again this season, but the stats so far suggest that the Foxes could most certainly be in the running, and we may even see lightening strike twice.