Just as everyone expected, Leicester City are top of the Premier League table at Christmas.
Through 17 matches, the Foxes have 11 wins and 38 points. Leicester only managed 11 wins all of last season, and sat glued to the bottom of the table at Christmas with just 10 points.
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From narrowly escaping relegation to leading the league, Leicester’s rise has been simply incredible.
Each week, we have waited for the Foxes’ run to stop short and Ranieri’s men to come back down to reality. Nearly halfway through the season, that run hasn’t stopped, and looking back at history, there’s no reason to believe it will stop anytime soon.
Eight of the past 11 Premier League champions have sat top of the table at Christmas, including five of the past six. Liverpool was first on Christmas in the 2013-14 season but finished in second place.
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Since the Premier League’s inaugural campaign, the team sitting in first place on December 25 has finished in the top four in 22 of 23 seasons. The only team not to do so was Aston Villa in 1998-99, as the Villans fell off and finished sixth.
Despite losing just one match from their opening 17, many still believe Leicester will fade and finish outside the top four. But as the Foxes continue to get results and put in good performances week in and week out, don’t expect to see Leicester City go anywhere soon.