Claudio Ranieri insists Leicester City’s top-four ambitions should be taken

A Leicester win could see them return to the top of the Premier League, as Arsenal have a tough away fixture at Liverpool.

“There were a lot of players who haven’t played consistently in the Premier League and it was an important chance for them to show they can fight for a start in the team”, the coach told www.tottenhamhotspur.com.

Paul Merson says he expects Tottenham Hotspur to beat Leicester City on Wednesday night but has questioned whether Spurs have the mental strength to win the title.

The success “little” Leicester City have achieved this season is not normal, manager Claudio Ranieri said on Thursday as his side sit second in the Premier League after 21 games, behind leaders Arsenal only on goal difference.

“I’m disappointed because I think we played better…”

Everyone is writing off Leicester City’s Premier League title chances – and that suits manager Claudio Ranieri just fine.

Spurs have conceded four in their last three matches but Pochettino feels his team need to improve in that area of their game.

More good work from Davies led to another Lamela chance with 15 minutes remaining, but the Argentine winger curled over the top from 10 yards.

But Leicester hit back and the dynamic, vibrant combination of Vardy, Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez caused numerous problems for Tottenham’s defenders, with Okazaki exploiting an error from Kyle Walker to shoot just wide of the near post.

“They played their same game”, Vertonghen said.

“So far they deserve full credit for them”, he said.

“We need to keep working, try to take the positives and prepare for Saturday because we have another tough game”.

Ranieri, who says he still laughs when people ask him if Leicester can win the league, suggested that 79 points might be enough to claim the title.

Pochettino, who again insisted that star striker Harry Kane was not for sale, was frustrated by the result but insists one loss will not change his opinion of his team nor his plans for the transfer market.

And the Argentine was pleased with the effort his side put in, adding: “If you don’t score they are always alive and motivated. Good. Third match in a row with a clean sheet, I am very very glad”.

“We have said before”, Hiddink said, “that as long as it is possible mathematically to get fourth place, then we will go for it”.