Leicester City centre-back Wout Faes claims that they are only focusing on the task at hand and not on the form of their promotional rivals.
Suddenly, after losing against Middlesbrough 2-1 on Saturday afternoon, Leicester City’s clash against Leeds United on Friday night is more important than ever.
Enzo Maresca’s side hold a nine-point gap over Leeds, but if Southampton beat Hull City tonight, they will move to within eight points of the Foxes.
Leicester, of course, are still in the driving seat to win the Championship title this term, but that loss against Boro has seen an element of doubt creep into their minds.
It means that a loss against the Whites in three days could see their cushion decrease to five if other results don’t go their way.
With the destiny in their own hands, Maresca’s troops only need to focus on themselves and that is a message Wout Faes has sent ahead of their clash against Leeds.
Wout Faes issues claim on Leicester’s promotion rivals
Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, the Belgian said: “We look forward to it and hope to make the gap a little bigger again.”
When asked about whether he takes notice of the form of their promotion rivals, Faes added: “You look at it for sure, but I think we have to focus on ourselves.
“We have been doing amazing. We’ve had an amazing season and we’ve been winning a lot.
“And if we keep doing our own job, we don’t have to look backward and I think that is that aim.”
Leicester must bounce back against Leeds United
After registering 72% possession and 24 shots against Middlesbrough, Leicester struggled to break through a strong rearguard as they slipped to their first defeat in eight matches.
A trip to Elland Road isn’t the fixture they’d want to make a response to, but the incentive is there to create an even bigger gap.
Leicester have been coasting at the top of the table for the full season and while their promotion rivals are picking up the pace, a nine-point lead is still a huge gap to bridge.
However, it’s still vitally important that complacency doesn’t creep into their performances and they get the job done.
Maresca has touched on it previously that complacency will be the only way Leicester throw away the league title from the position they’re in, which is why beating Leeds will ease any doubts.
The Foxes will need to be on their A-game as the Whites are on an incredible eight-match winning streak since the turn of the year and have kept a clean sheet in seven of those.
Whatever the outcome, it’s sure to be a pulsating contest from start to finish.