Leicester upstaging the big names in English Premier League

MANCHESTER, AP:

In the English Premier League, there's a remarkable story unfolding.

Leicester, a team that only escaped relegation last season after winning seven of its last nine games, is the unlikely leader after 13 games. Many pundits ridiculed its off season hiring of Claudio Ranieri as manager following his disappointing spell with Greece's national team, and

predicted another relegation fight for a club that has bounced between England's top-two tiers in recent years.

Few, therefore, would have imagined that a match between Leicester and Manchester United in late November would involve the teams in first and second place, respectively. And while United is crawling toward the summit on the back of a miserly defence, Leicester is already there by playing a ruthless attacking style for which United was once famed.

In pacey striker Jamie Vardy, Leicester has a player that has netted in each of his last 10 league games to tie a Premier League scoring record held by former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy since 2003. That Vardy could break the record against United is another subplot to the game at the King Power Stadium. Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez has been as impressive this season for Leicester, scoring seven goals and setting up six more to become arguably the most dangerous player in the league.

worst passing accuracy

Leicester has the worst passing accuracy in the Premier League, and only two teams have had less than its overall 43 per cent possession. Yet the side nicknamed 'the Foxes' are the top goalscorers in the division with 28 and have won more points 10 from losing positions than anyone else.

And this is no brief uprising. Since the end of March a period spanning 22 games Leicester has won more points than any other Premier League team, six more than its nearest rival Manchester City.

Over the next six games, Leicester takes on the giants of the league, starting with United before playing Everton and Liverpool away and Chelsea and Man City at home. Perhaps only by the turn of the year will it be clear if Leicester in first place for the first time since 2000 is the real deal and a genuine top-four contender.