Harry Maguire not writing off Leicester City’s UEFA Europa League chances yet

Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire is not writing off his team’s UEFA Europa League qualification chances yet despite dropping five points in the last two games and a tough run-in.

Leicester had only once dropped points (in the defeat to Watford) in Brendan Rodgers’ first five games.

However, they seem to have taken the foot off the gas at the wrong time, losing 1-0 at home to Newcastle United before rescuing a point at the death in a 2-2 draw against West Ham United.

These are two games that you’d say they should have won to have any hopes of finishing seventh, but the fact they didn’t means they must get something against Arsenal (H), Manchester City (A) and Chelsea (H).

A clear majority of the Leicester faithful has already given up on the European dream but not Harry Maguire.

The towering centre-back is still confident of finishing as the best of the rest, and while he knows it’s going to be tough, he and the rest of the players are up for the challenge.

"“We have left ourselves with a very hard run in – three of the top six to play, two at home. But we are not writing it off,” Maguire said.“We probably need seven points from the three games now to even challenge for seventh with Watford having a game in hand and a point ahead.“We know it’s going to be tough, but we fancy our chances at home against anyone so let’s see what happens.”"

After seeing Arsenal produce one of their worst defensive displays of the season, Leicester will certainly fancy their chances against them at the raucous King Power Stadium, as they will and should against a weak Chelsea.

Manchester City away from home is one game that has an element of impossibility to it, so realistically, the Foxes must be looking to outfox the two London sides.

Make no mistake, the duo will still be very tough to beat. It’s just that they are relatively easier to pick points against if exploited well.