Leicester's Title Bid: A look at Leicester's defensive contribution so far and how important will it be in this race to the Premier League crown ~ Footy Geek

Not even the most optimistic Leicester fan would have imagined that they would be at the top of the table and mount a serious title challenge this season. This meteoric raise has been due to the emergence of dynamic duo of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez who have been in outstanding form since the start of the season. Players like Ngolo Kante, Danny Drinkwater and Mark Albrighton have also made significant contributions from midfield.

But the defense is not talked much of. They have conceded 25 goals till Boxing day during the first half of the season. They are able to outscore teams due to their strike force and leave open at the back and leak goals. But since the loss against Liverpool at Anfield on Boxing Day, Leicester have conceded only single goal in six games. That goal was a controversial one by Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede. Just when Jamie vardy and Riyad Mahrez appears to have faded out, Leicester's defense stepped up to the plate who have been remarkably outstanding in the last month and a half.

Most of the success in defense has to go to Leicester's captain Wes Morgan who has been ever present in the the team this season. His partner in defense arrived at the King Power stadium in January last season. It is with the arrival of Huth that Leicester have been performing well and avoid relegation. He and both Leicester both continued their form in this season and with the help of Ranieri, whom he first bought him into English football at Chelsea, that he has forged a defensive partnership with Wes Morgan.

Danny Simpson has been playing as an understudy to Ritchie De Laet at the start of the season. But when he got his chance, he used it to the fullest and now is an important member of the back four. The former Manchester united youngster has been showing the form he has shown in his Newcastle days when they finished 5th in 2012. Another player who has struggled to find the place in the team is Christian Fuchs. Brought from Schalke in the summer, Fuchs initially failed to mark his stamp on the team. Known for his crosser, the Austrian captain initially took his time to settle into the team. But then he really showed his true worth both attacking and defensively.

It has been said that "Titles are build on strong defenses". So Leicester's defense has come into form at the right time. It is know vital that they keep their defense compact enough at the business end of the season to mount a serious title challenge.