The Foxes are down in the bottom half of the league table ahead of the visit of West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, but they have shown signs of progress with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace and a 1-1 draw at Tottenham in their last two league games.
We want to keep going and improve in the table.
Claudio Ranieri
In contrast to their league struggles, City have been highly impressive in their debut campaign in the Champions League – taking ten points from four games and keeping four clean sheets.
It is that kind of form which is giving Ranieri reason to be positive, despite having seen goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel suffer a hand injury which could keep him sidelined for up to two months.
The Italian told reporters: “We want to keep going and improve in the table. We must try to win.
“We’re getting better but it’s not only the defenders. All the team are getting better with the fighting spirit.”
Ranieri also gave his support to Ron-Robert Zieler, who is set to stand in for the injured Schmeichel, adding: “I’m very confident with Zieler. Of course Kasper was in great condition, but Zieler gives me confidence.”
Finally, Ranieri was also fulsome in his support for striker Jamie Vardy, who has gone 11 games without a goal for the Foxes.
He concluded: “Jamie Vardy’s a goalscorer. All strikers have good and bad periods. It’s important to stay calm and sooner or later he’ll score.”
Vardy can be backed at 11/8 to score at any time against the Baggies on Sunday, while he is 4/1 to net the first goal of the game, with City available at 11/2 to secure a 1-0 victory over their Midlands rivals.