Leicester City have been warned that their fairytale challenge for the Premier League crown could be shattered by title wreckers Crystal Palace today.
With only eight matches remaining, Claudio Ranieri’s side are on the brink of arguably the most unexpected title triumph in English soccer history after establishing a five-point lead over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
The unheralded Foxes have defied all expectations to remain at the top of the table, while their supposed superior rivals have struggled to keep pace, but it would be remarkable if they cruised to their first-ever top-flight title without a single blip.
Photo: Reuters
Palace manager Alan Pardew believes that wobble could come at Selhurst Park this weekend as the hosts aim to reprise their role as notorious party crashers.
In May 2014, Palace famously ruined Liverpool’s bid for a first English title since 1990 when they fought back from three goals down to draw 3-3 at Selhurst Park in a result that effectively gifted the trophy to Manchester City.
Then in April last year, Pardew’s men defeated City 2-1 in south London to all but end their hopes of overhauling eventual champions Chelsea.
“Human instinct is when you’re trying to achieve something magnificent like Leicester are, you’re going to start worrying and doubting,” Pardew said. “It’s been almost the perfect season for them, but it doesn’t always come all the way through, that perfect run. Maybe their blips are still to come. It has been a banana-skin, this place, in the past and it’s typical of Crystal Palace. Our history is littered with upsets against the odds.”
Leicester have been grinding out victories of late, with their ferocious workrate allowing them to capitalize on occasional moments of inspiration like Shinji Okazaki’s brilliant overhead-kick in Monday’s tense 1-0 win against Newcastle United.
Okazaki’s impressive contribution has been overshadowed by the heroics of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, but Leicester winger Marc Albrighton was quick to praise the Japanese striker’s efforts.
“He’s scored a couple of scrappy goals, but that was definitely up there with the best this season,” Albrighton said. “The skill and technique involved in his finish was superb. He’s been terrific for us this season and the goals are coming with it.”
If Leicester can extend their lead, it will put pressure on Tottenham, chasing a first title since 1961, to beat AFC Bournemouth at White Hart Lane tomorrow.
Tottenham bowed out of the Europa League against Borussia Dortmund on Thursday, but with the last-16 tie effectively decided in the first leg, boss Mauricio Pochettino was able to rest Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele to keep them fresh for the game against Bournemouth.
Languishing 11 points behind Leicester, albeit with a game in hand, third-placed Arsenal have no margin for error as they look to finish a dispiriting week on a high as they travel to Everton.
Successive defeats to Watford and Barcelona have ended Arsenal’s interest in the FA Cup and Champions League respectively over the past six days and they desperately need a win to remain in the title race and subdue the calls for boss Arsene Wenger to quit.
“Sometimes you are high, sometimes you are low. It is about being high as much as we can and hopefully things will get better,” Gunners defender Hector Bellerin said.
Manchester City would love to pile on the misery for Louis van Gaal when troubled Manchester United visit Eastlands.
Van Gaal saw his United side eliminated from the Europa League by bitter rivals Liverpool midweek and a defeat in the Manchester derby would be a major blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
United are four points behind fourth-placed City, with fifth-placed West Ham United also in the hunt as they travel to Chelsea.
Rafael Benitez is to take charge of his first home match as Newcastle boss against neighbors Sunderland, who have won the past six Tyne-Wear derbies.
Benitez’s second-bottom side are only one point behind Sunderland in 17th and a first victory over the Black Cats in nine attempts dating back to 2011 would improve thir prospects of avoiding relegation.
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