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LEICESTER. — While their English Premier League soccer title rivals have been battling for cup glory at home and in Europe, shock leaders Leicester City have enjoyed a refreshing two-week break from action.

Now the Foxes are back after a seven day holiday and, according to manager Claudio Ranieri, refreshed for a spell of matches he believes will determine the course of their remarkable season.

In the agony of a stoppage-time defeat at Arsenal in their last game, it seemed that a little momentum had shifted away from Ranieri’s men following an unbeaten league run that stretched back to Boxing Day.

Yet they remain two points clear at the top of the table with 12 games remaining, the first five of which pit them against clubs they will be clear favourites to beat.

They face Norwich today at the King Power Stadium, then meet West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Newcastle and Crystal Palace before the next international break at the end of March.

“We have a block of games now until March 19 that could be the key to our season,” Ranieri said.