Ranieri: A Big Battle

- The Foxes host Alex Neil’s men at King Power Stadium on Saturday 

- Ranieri said the decision to give the players a week off will prove to be beneficial ahead of a string of tough fixtures 

Claudio Ranieri believes the break his players took last week will leave them in good stead ahead of what he anticipates will be a big battle against Norwich City on Saturday. 

Leicester City head into the clash against Alex Neil’s men with the potential of restoring their five point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table. 

And the City boss believes the fixture with Norwich has the potential to be tougher than their last Premier League outing – a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on 14 February. 

“They are refreshed and they are ready for the fight,” Ranieri said of his players’ fitness. “I told to them the Arsenal match is easier than against Norwich. 

“It’s a big battle Saturday and we must be concentrated. I think Arsenal think to play and want to win. 

"Also for the mentality, you are very concentrated against Arsenal but I want to see my players [show] the same concentrate – very hungry, because we lost the match at the last second [against Arsenal].” 

The last time City met Norwich, it was the former who emerged with a 2-1 victory at Carrow Road thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy and Jeffrey Schlupp. 

Wary of the Canaries’ threat, Ranieri added: “I remember the first match, we had great chances at the beginning. We scored twice but then they fought a lot. They put a lot of balls into our box. We conceded a goal and they continued to press well. 

“I am expecting the same match. They will want to play close and they will want to counter attack. They have good players who can play forward and they will try to put the ball to [Dieumerci] Mbokani. We must be very concentrated and focused on our job.”