Internet Desk: Leicester City head to Manchester United on Sunday on the brink of securing a historic Premier League title and Claudio Ranieri hopes his players get an positive ending.
Having narrowly escaped relegation from the top flight last season by winning seven of their final nine outings, the dramatic turnaround continued into 2015-16 and has seen Leicester set the pace at the top of the table.
Tottenham’s failure to beat West Bromich Albion on Monday means Leicester, who are seven points clear and nine matches unbeaten, require just three points from their three remaining games in order to be crowned champions.
The first opportunity to secure a maiden top-flight title comes when Ranieri’s side travel to Old Trafford, home of the Premier League’s most-successful club.
The Italian is confident Leicester will be able to complete the job, but wants to see a defining performance against United.
United, though, are desperate to remain in the hunt for Champions League qualification and will be brimming with confidence after booking an FA Cup final place with a last-gasp Anthony Martial winner against Everton at Wembley last weekend.
Beating the leaders could play an important role in boosting their chances, with Manchester City and Arsenal, third and fourth respectively and five points clear, still to face one another.
But former Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal expects a typically difficult match against Ranieri, citing his previous encounters with the Italian during his tenure at Valencia.
Leicester’s only absentee is talismanic striker Jamie Vardy, who serves the final game of his two-match ban for improper conduct.
Van Gaal has no new injury concerns to contend with, though Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luke Shaw will not be fit to feature.