By James Wynn
Following an impressive win against Leeds on Monday night, data suggests that Leicester have made a better start to this campaign than their title-winning season in 2015-16.
City moved up to second in the Premier League table following Monday’s win, where they sit just one point behind current leaders and defending champions Liverpool.
Having already beaten Manchester City and Arsenal away from home, it has been a strong start from the Foxes, who could conceivably head into the international break on top of the table if they beat Wolves at the King Power Stadium on Sunday(NOV8).
So, could Leicester realistically repeat their title-winning campaign of 2015-16, or even qualify for Europe like they did in 2019-20?
The Foxes have picked up more points after seven games than in both of their previous best campaigns. Remarkably, Leicester’s worst start of the three seasons came in the title winning season, when draws against Tottenham, Bournemouth and Stoke combined with a defeat against Arsenal, led to Claudio Ranieri’s side dropping to 6th place after 7 games.
Last campaign, Leicester’s defeat at Old Trafford coupled with draws with Wolves and Chelsea ensured a third-place start, a place and a point behind this year’s total.
In terms of goals scored, this season’s side also stand ahead of the rest after seven games.
Leicester are averaging over two and a half goals per game this campaign, after scoring five against Manchester City and four against Burnley and Leicester in their opening games.
They also averaged over two goals in their title winning campaign after high-scoring wins against Aston Villa and Sunderland, while last season’s total is the lowest after a goalless draw against Wolves and a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
One constant in all three seasons is Jamie Vardy, who has been the Foxes’ talisman in all three seasons.
This season has been the 33-year-old’s best start to a campaign, with the former England international’s hat-trick against Manchester City helping him to seven goals from his first seven games.
He achieved one less in the title-winning campaign, and remarkably scored two less goals on his way to picking up the Premier League golden boot last season.
While the Foxes face stiff competition for the Champions League places or Premier League crown this campaign, the omens look good when compared to their previous best finishes.
