Despite a rough loss to Manchester City over the weekend (which I feel a bit better about now considering they just beat Real Madrid), Leicester are still 9 (!!!!) points clear of 5th place and are still in a great spot to play in the Champions League next season. After a rough set of fixtures, hopefully their are some easier games on the horizon. Next up is Norwich on Friday, and there are a few key players that will decide the game.

1. Teemu Pukki vs Cags/Evans

The last time these two teams met back in December, they played to a 1-1 draw. Norwich have struggled for goals all season, but when they do score it usually goes through Teemu Pukki. Despite being out of form, the Finnish international gave the Leicester center-backs headaches the first time around as he scored Norwich’s only goal, especially Soyuncu. Containing him could likely mean keeping a clean sheet and 3 points. Hopefully adjustments will be made to the back line in order to keep Pukki in check this time.

2. Jamie Vardy vs ...whoever Norwich start at center-back

There is a common theme to Leicester’s form as of late: Jamie Vardy isn’t scoring, so the team is struggling. If Vardy can get back in the goals then the foxes should make the Champions League relatively comfortably. If not, well, things could get rather dicey during the last few months of the season.

Norwich have been rather unconvincing at the back with their revolving door of defenders this season so this could be the perfect opportunity for Vardy to end his goal drought.

3. Youri Tielemans vs. Tettey

Norwich will likely sit back and get numbers behind the ball against Leicester, leaving James Maddison and Youri Tielemans to try to break the opposition down with their creativity. Youri will be running into Norwich’s holding midfielder Alex Tettey quite often in this game. Winning that battle will help the foxes out tremendously in this contest.

I specifically pick out Tielemans here because he has been out of form just as Vardy has. Although he looked to be rounding back into form against Manchester City, he still wasn’t quite his usual self. If he can get it back for the stretch run, Leicester will feel very good about their chances.