Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Leicester: 3 Things we learned

Leicester are away day specialists

The bookies won’t have agreed with this but Leicester were the favourites to win this game. Going into this game they had won all but one of their away league games this season (to the current leaders and champions). Conversely Spurs had only won half of their home games. It shouldn’t really have been a surprise to anyone that Leicester were able to put Spurs to the sword when they tend to play better away from home.

The mistake we’re all making is assuming that Leicester are an inconsistent team all season. The reality is that only their home form is inconsistent with 3 wins and 4 defeats. Like Jose today many teams refuse to shut up shop at home to Leicester and play on the counter, even bottom of the table Sheffield United refused to do it. This plays into the strengths that Rodgers has instilled in his side who are now far more comfortable in possession, moving the ball quickly, moving their opponents out of position and attacking the exposed areas of space with relish. If teams continue to leave Leicester space they will exploit it.

Now Leicester fans expectations will turn to a tasty boxing day clash with Manchester United, a team that they have only beaten once since returning to the Premier League (that famous 5-3 game in 2014). Manchester United are actually even better than Leicester on their travels having won every single Premier League away game this season. Even more ludicrous is that they have scored a minimum of three goals at all of their away games.

Coupled with Leicester’s current home form and we would all do well to temper our own expectations and quite rightly make Manchester United the favourites for a boxing day win. I would take Leicester’s first Premier League draw for 20 matches, but if Rodgers can go one further and figure out another tactical masterclass then Leicester’s position in the table might start to look far more serious than everyone is taking them right now.