Hughes: Leicester will be fine

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has backed Premier League champions Leicester to avoid relegation.

The Foxes were top of the Premier League at Christmas last season after winning 11 of their first 17 games but 12 months on they find themselves 14th with just four wins from a possible 16.

They looked to have rediscovered the form that saw them lift the Premier League crown when they defeated Manchester City 4-2 last weekend only to slip to a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth in midweek.

Hughes will be hoping his side can heap further pressure on the champions when the two sides meet on Saturday but the Stoke manager believes there is little danger of them being dragged into a relegation battle.

"It's always difficult after winning the title, and Leicester are finding that out," Hughes told his pre-match press conference.

"Their away form has been surprising this season because they set-up to play on the counter-attack and you would expect them to have picked more points up on the road. Maybe teams have looked at their style of play, which hasn't changed.

"I don't think there is any fear of them going down this season - they are just struggling for continuity in terms of results. You can see the ability they have - they will be fine. They will just be a little frustrated."

Stoke do not play again until their trip to Anfield on December 27 and, while some managers are unhappy with the schedule over Christmas and New Year, Hughes is a big fan of playing over the festive period.

"I enjoy it - we are quite a unique country that we play over this period, but that is a tradition of British football," he said.

"A few of the lads come here and scratch their heads wondering what is going on, but they soon buy into it. I loved it as a player and I love it as a manager too. There is always a really good atmosphere around the stadiums, and hopefully we can bring a bit of cheer to our supporters.

"We have a decent looking schedule on paper, given the days between matches and distances we will be travelling, but we know how difficult the two games, against Liverpool and Chelsea will be."

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