Leaders Leicester City face Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash in the English Premier League on Sunday. (Photo: AFP)
Leaders Leicester City face Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash in the English Premier League on Sunday. (Photo: AFP)
Jamie Vardy is adamant Leicester City remain unfazed by the mounting pressure of the Premier League title race as the shock leaders prepare for a summit meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.
For the first time this season, Claudio Ranieri’s side find themselves the bookmakers’ favourites to be crowned champions after their fairytale rise reached a new high with last weekend’s stunning 3-1 win at title rivals Manchester City.
The Foxes sit five points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur and third-placed Arsenal with just 13 games remaining and the previously unthinkable prospect of the unfashionable outfit winning a first ever top-flight title is now a genuine possibility.
But the task of successfully completing an unexpected title bid proved too much for Liverpool in the closing weeks of the 2013-14 season and many pundits still believe Leicester’s unheralded players, who only last year were fighting to avoid relegation, will crumble in similar style.
However, England striker Vardy, whose 18 goals and effervescent displays have been the driving force behind Leicester’s surge to the top, insists there are no signs of any nerves in the camp ahead of this weekend’s crucial clash with the Gunners in north London.
Rooney, Martial eye Sunderland scalp Manchester United will face the worst defence in the Premier League on Saturday, which should have their strike-force of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial licking their lips in anticipation.
Sunderland have conceded 49 goals so far this season — the main reason why Sam Allardyce’s side find themselves in relegation trouble inside the bottom three.
Their record at the Stadium of Light is not as troubling, with only 13 goals conceded on home turf to date. But the Black Cats are evidently vulnerable and Rooney and Martial will be looking to add to their goal tallies as United bid to keep their prospects of Champions League qualification alive.
They go into the weekend six points off the top four under Louis van Gaal, whose position remains under intense scrutiny. Fixtures Saturday: Bournemouth vs Stoke, Chelsea vs Newcastle, Crystal Palace vs Watford, Everton vs West Brom, Norwich vs West Ham, Sunderland vs Manchester United, Swansea vs Southampton
Sunday: Arsenal vs Leicester, Aston Villa vs Liverpool, Manchester City vs Tottenham
