After picking up six points in their last two games, Leicester have breathed life into their hopes of survival. Nigel Pearson’s men have shown great resilience in wins over West Ham and West Brom, which is something that has been missing from them for much of the season. The Foxes have impressed everybody with their style of play and quality, but their performances have not always been rewarded with points. At times they have been naive which is why they have spent the majority of the campaign at the foot of the table. There are signs that they have turned the corner, however, as both victories have been gained with goals in the final five minutes. They have lost several points this season from conceding late goals so it will be especially please for the manager to see his own side benefiting from this.
It has been a terrific season for Swansea who have been comfortable and free from relegation trouble, throughout. Gary Monk took over at the Welsh club last season with tHe task of keeping them in the Premier League, which he achieved. Although many expected them to struggle again in this campaign, the Swans are targeting a top eight finish, which would equate to their best ever finish in the top flight. If they do manage that then huge plaudits must go to Monk and his backroom staff, particularly as the club sold their best striker and top scorer, Wilfried Bony, during the January transfer window. There was speculation whether or not they would be able to sustain the same level of form without him but they have lost only four of their 13 league games in 2015.
With seven games left, Leicester are three points from safety and putting real pressure on the other six clubs who are involved in the battle to stay in the Premier League. They have played at least one game fewer than all those teams which is another advantage – along with the momentum they are building – they have over the others. The next two games are especially crucial for Pearson and his players. If they can put together three wins on the bounce before next week’s visit to Burnley, it would be a huge lift going into a game which promises to have a huge bearing on the bottom three come the end of the season.
It is all about pride and trying to finish as high up the table as possible for Swansea. They have shown themselves to be very motivated despite that, winning two and drawing one of their last three. Critics may argue that they have been slightly lucky in that small run of games. Hull were looking like getting on top of them before they had a player sent off whilst Swansea had to rely on a penalty to gain them a point last week at home to Everton. Whichever way you look at it, they have proven time and time again this season that they know how to pick up points.
If this match took place a couple of weeks ago I think I would have had a completely different opinion on it. I have felt for a long time that Leicester lacked a current edge and were too naïve defensively. The latter of those failings may still be relative having conceded six goals in their last three games but they are finally converting more of the chances that they create. Swansea are very effective at what they do but their need for points is nowhere near as great as their weekend opponents, opponents who are beginning to click at just the right time of the season and I think they will continue their run by taking all three points on Saturday.
Leicester 6/5 @ Betfred
