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Will Leicester City beat all the odds once again in the Premier League?

Leicester City have scored more goals, had more possession and conceded fewer than they did at this stage the year they won the Premier League. 

The Foxes are better equipped for the title now, but can they actually repeat that miracle season by beating all odds?

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Courtesy: The Independent

The way Leicester have started this season will have fans dreaming of the impossible again.

Brendan Rodgers' men have won eight of their first twelve Premier League games and sit second in the table.

It is auspicious times at the King Power, with Leicester evoking the feel-good factor of that miracle title-winning season.

Leicester have enjoyed a brilliant start to the term, sitting fourth with 20 points from 10 games.

The Foxes are currently evoking the feel-good factor of their miracle title-winning campaign.

The club is flying high and no one will now be doubting their ability to compete for the Champions League places, but could they go one better and actually be genuine contenders for the title again?

Leicester are a different beast entirely now, but even they would not have entertained conversations about the title in the preamble to this season.

Brendan Rodgers has got his Leicester side flying after taking over in February this year.

When Leicester won the league, they played fast, counter-attacking football. Claudio Ranieri, whose target for that season was only to reach 40 points, reintroduced the 4-4-2 system and implemented a pragmatic approach.

Their miracle story was very much built on hard work and momentum. Now, under Rodgers' guidance, Leicester have transformed into a much more positive side that focuses on ball retention and methodical build-up play.

Unlike Ranieri's Leicester side, this current team actually possesses the individual quality to match up across the pitch with any team in the league.

The system is different, the style is different, and expectations are higher than before. But results have been just as impressive as they were at this stage of their title-winning campaign.

Caglar Soyuncu has fitted in seamlessly following the loss of Harry Maguire in the summer. Ricardo Pereira and Ben Chilwell have shone in the full-back positions under Rodgers.

Although there are many differences between the two Leicester teams, some of the basic principles remain the same.

Just like Ranieri, Rodgers has also worked tirelessly on improving their defence, which has been the foundation for much of their good work this season.

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Courtesy: Yahoo! Sports

Leicester have won plaudits for their attractive and confident play going forward, but at the back they are posting numbers as good as any of the top teams - no side has conceded fewer than them this season (8).

Centre backs Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu have played a big part in that and are up there with some of the best performers in their position this season.

The likes of Youri Tielemans and James Maddison have starred for Leicester so far this season. Jamie Vardy has been firing on all cylinders, scoring nine goals already in the Premier League.

Soyuncu, in particular, has been a standout player for Leicester, who as a result have not felt the loss of Harry Maguire at all.

In midfield they have technically-gifted players with Youri Tielemans and James Maddison pulling the strings.

And up top Vardy - one of only two survivors from that title-winning team – is showing the same prolific form he did when he led Leicester to the Premier League.

Wilfred Ndidi is proving to be just as pivotal to Leicester as N'Golo Kante was in midfield.

The year they won the league, they did so with 81 points. Leicester are showing all the signs of at least matching that total, if not surpassing it this season, but that doesn’t even guarantee you second place these days.

Rodgers' side look every bit as good - if not better - as that title-winning Leicester team, but with City and Liverpool around, a title challenge is probably unrealistic. You'd back them to make the top four, though.

Cover image credits: Fosse Posse

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