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Claudio Ranieri: 'Europa League is the target'

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri insists that the league leaders are only focused on qualifying for the Europa League.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has insisted that his side are now aiming to qualify for the Europa League despite them sitting in pole position for a historic Premier League title.

The Foxes sit two points clear at the summit and will go 14 points clear of fifth-placed West Ham United if they defeat relegation-threatened Newcastle United at the King Power tonight.

Although Leicester are firm favourites for the title and almost certain to qualify for next season's Champions League, Ranieri is adamant that he only has one objective in mind at present.

"Now we are fighting to achieve the Europa League. Can you imagine Leicester achieve the Europa League and next season we stay in the Europa League? Unbelievable," Ranieri told Sky Sports News. "That is our goal. When we achieve this, I look how many matches are left. Maybe we can achieve the Champions League - wow, amazing - but the Europa League is the next little step.

"Little targets are the match: Newcastle and after Crystal Palace - that is our step. Now I remember Newcastle and Crystal Palace, and after that we have a break and I forget. When we have a five-point lead with less than one match and when the mathematics say yes [to the title], that is it. Believe me, we have won our title by saving the team.

"My focus is on Newcastle, my study is on Newcastle, my obsession is Newcastle. When we played there, there were so many good players. Sometimes they play well and sometimes they are down. I can't understand but I am sure on Monday night it will be a battle and it is important we understand this."

Legendary ex-Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday tipped Ranieri's side to win the title with three games to spare.

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Claudio Ranieri celebrates at the end of the Premier League game between Watford and Leicester City on March 5, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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