Leicester City proved last season that miracles do exist as they broke the monopoly of the big clubs by clinching their first ever league title. It was a truly fairytale campaign for all those involved with the club as no one would have imagined the foxes clinching the ultimate prize under Claudio Ranieri. The real test begins now as everyone is expecting a fall from grace from Leicester because of the European games as Ranieri's men have to prove that they are here to stay.
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The likes of Danny Drinkwater, Wes Morgan and Jamie Vardy have to prove that they are not one season wonders as the 2016-17 season promises to be one of the toughest season ever with the arrival of World class players and managers into the league. This will be Leicester's first stint in the Champions League and the side needs depth in their squad because of the added games.
Everyone expected that Leicester will lose their best players in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez but the club has done well to keep their best talents at the club as Mahrez is all set to stay at the King Power stadium and Jamie Vardy snubbing Arsenal's interest to sign a new deal at the club along with Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan and manager Claudio Ranieri. Leicester have done well to keep the spine of the team intact ahead of their defence of the league title.
Also read: Ranieri keen to keep underdog tag for high-flying Leicester
N'Golo Kante remains the only player to leave the side and join Chelsea as the Frenchman had a release clause in his contract which was triggered by the Blues. His replacement, Nampalys Mendy will be closely watched as he has some big boots to fill with Kante being one of the best players in the league last season. Along with the new signings which we will discuss later, the Foxes have some pretty exciting youngsters coming up such as Ben Chilwell, Demarai Gray and Daniel Amartey.
Leicester broke the club record to sign Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow and also secured the services of 19-year-old Bartosz Kapustka who will bring some more pace into the champions' existing talents on the flanks. The Foxes play on the counter attacks and now with the likes of Vardy, Musa, Mahrez and Schlupp can hurt teams in England and also in Europe. Leicester had one of the best defenses in the league last season and they have strengthened that with the addition of centre back, Luis Hernandez from Sporting Gijon.
The Foxes have bought well this summer along with keeping the likes of Mahrez at the club as they look to impress one and all again in the next campaign and also at the biggest stage, in the Champions League. The good news is that after each of their European game, they play a league game at home which is highly favourable for Ranieri's men. The biggest question remains is that can Leicester pull off a Leicester again, so let's take a look at the round of fixtures they will face in the league month by month:
August
Leicester begin their defence of the league crown against newcomers Hull City at their ground who are struggling to sign new players which guarantees three points in the first game of the 2016-17 campaign. This follows two home games against Arsenal and Swansea with Leicester will look to avenge last year's loss against the Gunners at home. Leicester will do brilliantly if they stay unbeaten in August.
September
After the International break, the Champions visit a resurgent Liverpool side who are looking to break into the top four after investing smartly according to Jurgen Klopp. They will be up for revenge as the Reds beat Leicester at Anfield last season. Burnley visit the Foxes next which won't be a big test for Ranieri. The Champions visit Old Trafford next to face Mourinho's United who are genuine title contenders after bringing in four world class players this summer.
October
This month will be hectic with European games along with league games going to test the resilience in this close-knit squad. October features home games against Southampton and Crystal Palace which seem to be easy wins for the home side. Away trips to Chelsea and Tottenham will be tough as always and the Foxes must avoid defeat against the London sides if they want to stay on track to reach as high as possible in the table.
November
This is the easiest set of fixtures in a month for Leicester in the 2016-17 season. They welcome West Brom and Middlesborough which should be six points for the Champions. They also visit Watford who are expected to be embroiled in a relegation battle this season. The Foxes must win there out of three in this month to keep the pressure on other teams.
December
The festive period brings six fixtures which on most occasions decided the course on which the team will progress in the second half of the season. Leicester have been given a tricky set of fixtures in this busy month as they face away trips to Sunderland, Bournemouth and Stoke which are not easy places to win a football game.
They welcome Manchester City, who are title contenders under Pep Guardiola and are going to be one of the toughest sides to beat this season. West Ham and Everton are the other visitors who are going to have the same goal as Leicester, that is to stay in the hunt to reach the top four.
January
The first game of 2017 is a visit to Middlesborough who under Aitor Karanka have bought well this summer but are going to struggle against Leicester. Conte's Chelsea come calling next which is going to be a stern test as the Italian is going to change the blues into a strong unit in the coming season.
Southampton and Burnley consist of the two back to back away games for the champions which seem to be easy on paper. If Leicester can get 10 points from a possible 12 in this month, it will be a brilliant start to a new year.
February
Manchester United and Liverpool visit the foxes in this month as the season comes down to its business end. Leicester must produce results against the top sides if they want to try and reach the top four spots which is highly difficult considering the fact that the league has gone a notch higher this time, both in quality and competitiveness. The Foxes visit Swansea which won't be much of a test for Ranieri's men.
March
Leicester welcome Hull City next who are in a turmoil and are going to find it tough in the first division. This follows back to back away games to London against Arsenal and West Ham which will be Leicester's first visit to the Olympic Stadium. If the Foxes remain unscathed through this month without being complacent against the likes of Swansea and West Brom, they can challenge for the top four next season.
April
Another busy month which includes consecutive home games against Stoke and Sunderland which are must win at this stage of the competition. Again two away games against Everton and Crystal Palace shouldn’t cause problems to the Foxes as they will be at a stage at this point where any slip-up may prove costly.
Spurs visit next which will be a big game at this stage of the season. West Brom welcome the Foxes next which will be a good way to end a tricky April. 12-15 points out of 18 would be a decent return in this month.
May
The second last game of the season against Man City is an important fixture as it may repercussions on the title race even if Leicester are involved in it or not. The other home games against Watford and Bournemouth are relatively easy and will end the season for the foxes on a good note.
Predicted finish: 7th
After a fairytale ending last season, Leicester are all set for a reality check as with increased games and added pressure, they are going to find it real tough to sustain their place at the top. Still after winning the league last term, the odds of the relegating are higher than them retaining their title.
The competition has gotten too tough in the Premier League and the Foxes though have a decent squad, don’t have the firepower to challenge the contenders like Manchester City and Manchester United. Still, from being a team in the relegation battle to a team challenging for the European spots is a dream come true for all true Leicester supporters.
