How many points can we realistically get from the rest of the season

Can we get enough to stay up? Article with Tom Shapland

Leicester City currently find themselves in a tricky position, 17^th place in the Premier League and only one point off the relegation zone. With 11 games to go until the season draws to a close, the Foxes have a lot of work to do to ensure they stay in the top division of English Football. Let’s take a look at the remaining fixtures and where the Foxes will realistically end up come May 28^th.

Crystal Palace

Leicester will travel to Selhurst Park in there next Premier League game where they will take on the Eagles. Crystal Palace are winless this calendar year and have recently parted ways with manager Patrick Viera. Former manager Roy Hodgson has replaced the Frenchman after initially been deemed not good enough to take them forward two years ago. In the reverse fixture on 15^th October, the result ended 0-0, with Leicester not losing to Palace in 7 games, winning 4 and drawing 3. Given Palace’s circumstances, this is a real opportunity for Leicester to grab a win and a crucial three points.

 Aston Villa

Next on the fixture list is Villa at home. Villa currently sit 11^th In the table and have won three out of their last five league games. Manager Unai Emery has seemed to steady the ship at the Birmingham side and it will be by no means a walk over, yet still a winnable game. In the reverse fixture in February the Foxes managed a win in a 4-2 thriller. Leicester have won 3/5 last meetings between the two, but in the current form of Rodger’s side, I think a draw would ultimately be a good result.

Bournemouth

Leicester will then take on Bournemouth at home who sit in 19^th place, winning two of their last five games, one of which being last season’s UEFA Champions League finalists, Liverpool. The Cherries manager Gary O’Neil has managed to get his team fighting and they have put up some impressive performances as of late. Bournemouth have won their last two games against Leicester, 2-1 and 4-1 which is worrying going into this fixture. However, with the talent level of Leicester’s squad, if they can find some of their pre-World Cup form, this is definitely a winnable fixture, a real 6 pointer at the bottom of the table.

Manchester City

Next on the fixture list for Leicester is Man City away. Currently City sit in 2^nd place in the league and have just qualified for the Quarter Finals of the Champions League and beat Burnley in the FA Cup to move into the Semi-finals of the competition. Manchester City have really found their form as of late, with talisman Erling Haaland scoring 28 goals in 26 League games, well on his way to beat the League record. Leicester have lost 7 of their last 10 meetings with City and with the Manchester side hunting down League leaders Arsenal, it looks unlikely that Leicester get a result unless there’s a massive upset.

Wolves

After Manchester City, Leicester host Wolves. Wolves sit in 13^th place, only winning one of their last five games. Leicester generally have a good record against Wolves, winning the reverse fixture 4-0 in October. With the away side being the joint lowest scorers in the League and struggling for goals, this seems like a real opportunity for Leicester to grab some points. A win should be the target for Leicester, but a draw wouldn’t be the worst thing either, nothing less than a point from this fixture is a necessity for the Foxes.

Leeds

Leicester will then travel away to Leeds who are also in the relegation scrap. Leeds currently sit in 14^th place but are by no means safe. Winning two out of their last five has elevated them up the table slightly but are still only two points off the relegation zone. Leicester have won their last two games against Leeds, 2-0 and 1-0. This game will no doubt be a real fight between two relegation candidates making the result unpredictable. However, it is very possible that Leicester can get something out of this and a win here could be massive.

Everton

Next on the list for Leicester is Everton at home. Everton sit in 15^th place and two points off the relegation zone. Everton have taken 5 points out of their last five games, most recently a huge draw against Chelsea. Sean Dyche has proven himself as a manager that can survive in relegation battles. This fixture will most likely be a low scoring, nervy game, with small margins and individual moments making the difference. My prediction for this game is a draw but an in-form Leicester is more than capable of winning this fixture.

Fulham

Leicester’s fourth final game of the season is away to Fulham. Fulham currently sit in 9^th place after an impressive season under manager Marco Silva. However, they have lost their last two games and main man Mitrovic may be facing a lengthy ban following his antics in the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United. In the reverse fixture this season Leicester lost 1-0 at home after a 17^th minute goal from Mitrovic. This will be a difficult game for Leicester considering Fulham’s successful season and a draw would be a good result here.

Liverpool

Next up for the Foxes is Liverpool at home. The reds have had an inconsistent season yet still possess a lot of quality players, currently sitting in 6^th spot. Leicester have lost their last two games against Liverpool, 2-1 and 2-0. Despite Liverpool’s below-par season, this will still be a tough game for Leicester. Once again, taking a point from this game would be a good result for Leicester.

Newcastle

The Penultimate game of the season for Leicester is away to high and flying Newcastle. Newcastle have defied the odds this season and all though they have struggled for form as of late, they sit in 5^th place. Newcastle have recently found form again and this could prove a challenge for Leicester, especially as it is away and Newcastle could be fighting for the Champions League spots at this stage. Leicester have lost their last three meetings with Newcastle in all competitions, and this will be a huge ask, but one that on their day, Leicester have the talent to come away with a result.

West Ham

The final game of the season could be a huge decider in who goes down, as it’s West Ham away. West ham sit in 18^th place, in a similar situation to Leicester, a massively below par season for the squad they have.  Leicester won the reverse fixture at home 2-0 earlier in the season but this game could have huge stakes, making the outcome almost impossible to predict. If Leicester play to the ability, we know they have, it’s definitely a winnable game, although I predict it will be a tight game.

Leicester’s remaining fixtures are by no means a walk over, but then every team in the Premier League these days proves to be a difficult opponent, possibly why Leicester have massively underperformed this season. After taking a look at the games left, I predict that Leicester will finish with an additional 14-16 points realistically. This would put them on 39- 41 points come the end of the season, meaning that it’s very likely that Leicester will be in a relegation fight. Having said that, given the course of the Premier League this season, I think around 35 points should confirm safety, meaning that Leicester should just scrape by and survive. Whatever happens, if Leicester do survive then changes are needed come the summer to get back where they should be.