Football:Leicester's title run-in is not as simple as it seems, says Jamie Redknapp

Leicester are favourites for the Premier League title, but their title run-in is not as easy as it looks, says Jamie Redknapp.

Claudio Ranieri's side went five points clear at the top of the table with nine games remaining following a 1-0 win at Watford on Saturday Night Football, and are now evens with Sky Bet to win their first-ever top flight crown.

They seemingly have the more favourable run-in compared to their challenging rivals, facing bottom-half sides Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Swansea and Everton before the end of the season, but Redknapp does not necessarily see the remaining fixtures as simple.

Leicester's remaining games
Newcastle (H) Crystal Palace (A) Southampton (H) Sunderland (A) West Ham (H) Swansea (H) Man Utd (A) Everton (H) Chelsea (A)
He said on Saturday Night Football: "The fixtures are perfect for them it seems, but my worry with Leicester is that I actually think they function better when playing against the better sides. 

"I think they sit back, counter and hit them with pace. But absolutely, five points clear, what a fantastic position to be in. 

"But pressure does come on you, and at some stage pressure is going to come onto this Leicester side."


Mahrez fires Foxes five clear
Leicester moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after Riyad Mahrez's strike

The win at Vicarage Road courtesy of Riyad Mahrez's strike means Leicester now have an 11-point gap between them and fifth place, and Redknapp is sure Champions League football has been secured.

For the chasing pack in Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City, Redknapp sees more positives in the north London clubs' form than City's, despite their 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

"That's done, you can forget that, Leicester fans are in the Champions League next year, that's something they can look forward to.

"Leicester have lost three games all season. City, with 10 games to go, have got to go and win maybe eight or nine of those. Are they capable of that at the moment? I don't think so. 

"I think the draw [in the north London derby] will certainly galvanise Arsenal, and Tottenham defensively are organised and have a really good manager. I think they're the big dangers to Leicester.

The title race run-in
We analyse the title rivals' run-ins to see who will emerge victorious...
"But you still have to think, as the bookies say, that Leicester are the favourites to win it."

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith agrees that Tottenham are second favourites for the title, which would be their first since 1961, and says the closer to the line Leicester get, the more pressure it will put on the team.

Smith said: "I still like the look of Spurs, even after today. The draw has done Arsenal a lot of good. Spurs look a proper team, very together, and I'd still see them as the second favourites, as the bookies say. 

"If Leicester play with the freedom and maturity, and patience and experience, the closer to the line they get, the realisation of what they could achieve will get bigger.

"Who knows how that could impact the camp, but as it stands they're looking great."