What does history tell us about Leicester’s title chances?
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In what has been a fairytale season so far, Leicester City sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with just seven games remaining.
Only recently have people actually begun to believe that the Foxes could actually win the title, but there are still some who think they’re ready to implode and let Tottenham or Arsenal pip in and steal it away from them, despite the points gaps between the sides.
History is often an indicator for future success, so we’ve looked back at every team who’ve been top after playing 31 games since the Premier League moved to its current format of 20 teams to see how those teams ended the season.
Does history suggest that the Foxes will win the title:
1995/96
After 31 games of the 1995/96 season, Manchester United and Newcastle both had 64 points, with Man Untied having a better goal difference by a single goal.
The season ended with Man United winning the title by four points after Newcastle drew their last two games whereas the champions won their final three.
1996/97
31 games into the 1996/97 season, Man United were top of the league by three points, ahead of fierce rivals Liverpool.
The Merseyside club fell away, eventually finishing fourth and Man United finished seven points clear of second-placed Newcastle.
1997/98
The 1997/98 table was an odd one at this time of the season. Man United had 60 points from 31 games. They were ahead of second-placed Arsenal, but the Gunners had played three games less.
By the time they got to 31 games, they had 63 points, more than United had at the same stage, and Arsene Wenger’s men went on to wrap up the title with two games still left to play.
They actually lost those final two games, they were probably on the beach and ended up finishing just a point above Man United.
1998/99
The treble winning Man United side of 1999 were one point clear of both Arsenal and Chelsea after the had played 31 games and they had a game in hand too.
A 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season saw them crowned champions ahead of the Gunners.
1999/2000
31 games into the 99/00 season, Man United were a massive ten points clear of Leeds United.
They ended up winning the league with 91 points, a staggering 18 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
2000/01
Despite losing their 31st game 2-0 at Anfield, Man United were still 13 points clear at the top.
They went on to become champions by ten points, despite losing their final three games.
2001/02
31 games into the 2001/02 season, there was a genuine three-horse race for the title between Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United.
United had 64 points after 31 games and Liverpool has 62. Arsenal once again took a while longer to get to 31 games due to cup commitments, but when they did, they had acquired 66 points.
The Gunners went on to win the title by seven points.
2002/03
Arsenal were top of the pile once again after 31 games in 2002/03, however, they did not end up winning the title.
Draws to Aston Villa and Bolton allowed Man United to leapfrog them and Fergie’s side went on to win the title by five points.
2003/04
31 games into the 2004 season, Arsenal’s invincibles were seven points clear of Chelsea.
They cruised to a title win by a margin on 11 points and remain the only team to go a whole Premier League season undefeated.
2004/05
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side dominated the 2004/05 season and 31 games in, the title race was all but over.
They were 13 points clear at that stage and ended the season with 95 points, 12 ahead of second-placed Arsenal.
2005/06
Chelsea also ran away with the 2005/06 Premier League title race.
31 games in, they were nine points clear of Man United.
Despite two losses to end the season, they still ended up winning the league by eight points.
2006/07
Man United and Chelsea were both in great form 31 games into the 2006/07 season, but United were top by six points.
A loss to Portsmouth and a draw against Middlesborough threatened to derail their title bid, but Chelsea could only manage to draw with both Newcastle and Bolton, therefore failing to capitalise on United’s slip-up.
Fergie’s side went on to win the title by six points as Chelsea drew their final five games of the campaign.
2007/08
A run of five straight wins meant Man United were top of the league by five points after 31 games of the 2007/08 season.
However, draws with Middlesborough and Blackburn, as well as a defeat to Chelsea meant United and Chelsea were neck and neck after 36 games, although United’s goal difference was by far the more superior.
They knew if they won their last two games, they’d be crowned champions, and they did just that, beating West Ham and Wigan at home.
2008/09
Man United had 71 points after 31 games and they were second in the table on goal difference behind Liverpool who had played two games more.
By the time both sides had played 34 games, United were six points clear.
A draw with Arsenal in the 37th game saw them crowned as champions and they finished the season four points ahead of Liverpool
2009/10
There was a three-horse race for the title 31 games into the 2009/10 season.
Man United were top on 69 points, Chelsea were second on 68 and Arsenal were third on 67.
Losses to Tottenham and Wigan in game weeks 34 & 35 saw Arsenal fall away.
By this point, Chelsea were top by a point after they’d defeated Man United in game week 33, although they lost their 35th game to Spurs.
The two sides were separated by just a point going into the final week, but Chelsea hammered Wigan at home to secure the title.
2010/11
Man United were seven points clear of Arsenal after 31 games, although the Gunners did have a game in hand.
Losses to Bolton, Stoke and Aston Villa saw Arsenal fall away. They finished in fourth place as united comfortably finished ahead of Chelsea and Man City.
2011/12
We all remember the finish to this season!
31 games in, Manchester United were six points clear of Man City.
A loss to Wigan, a 4-4 draw with Everton and a 1-0 defeat to City saw United’s season falter and after 36 games, City were top on goal difference.
Both sides won their 37th games, so it went to the final week.
United thought they’d won the league after defeating Sunderland, but Sergio Aguero’s late, late goal against QPR saw the title go to the blue half of Manchester.
2012/13
Sir Alex’s final season in charge of Man United was a dominant one for his side.
31 games into the season, they were 12 points clear of City and ended the campaign as champions by 11 points.
2013/14
After 31 games of the 2013/14 season, three sides – Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City – were in a title race.
Liverpool looked favourites after Sunderland drew with City then defeated Chelsea.
However, Steven Gerrard’s slip followed by capitulation at Crystal Palace saw Brendan Rodgers’ side’s chances go up in smoke and City took full advantage by beating Aston Villa and West Ham to win the title.
2014/15
After 31 games of last season, Chelsea were seven points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand.
They finished the campaign eight points ahead of Man City to once again take their place of champions. of England