Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri prays at the altar of mathematical probability – at least when it comes to football it would seem.
Despite a huge five-point boost in their title chase this past weekend thanks to a 4-0 win over Swansea City combined with Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion, the Foxes now have a seven point lead over the Spurs in the Premier League title race and could win it as early as Sunday if they beat Manchester United.
However, the Leicester manager once dubbed ‘The Tinkerman’ is not buying a trophy case just yet. Ranieri said the race is ‘not done yet’ and believes that mathematics will determine whether the Foxes finish the miracle season to claim the BPL title.
“We started just with the goal to save the team,” Ranieri said [per the Telegraph], referring to his initial goal of avoiding relegation prior to the start of the season. “But, slowly, slowly, the players are getting better, believe in something special – now, of course, try to compete with the big teams. But now, of course, we are there and we want to fight until the end.
“Everybody says: ‘It is done.’ In my opinion, no. The mathematics – I believe only in the mathematics.”
A win over Man United, a Spurs loss to Chelsea or a draw by both the Foxes and the Spurs will clinch the Premier League title for Leicester next week.
Leicester City have already clinched their first ever spot in the Champions League and have been assured of at least a top-two finish – their first such finish in the highest tier of English football since 1929.
Follow Jonathan Machlin on Twitter @jtmlovessports
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