Brendan Rodgers insists ‘destiny’ is still in Leicester’s hands as Champions League race goes down to the wire

Foxes were handed a boost as Chelsea and Manchester United dropped points this week

Brendan Rodgers insists Leicester’s Champions League ‘destiny’ remains in their hands.

The Foxes are aiming to hit back following Sunday’s shock 4-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Bournemouth.

They host Sheffield United on Thursday after Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Southampton on Monday kept them in the top four heading into the final three Premier League games.

The final-day visit of United is shaping up to become a winner-takes-all shootout and Leicester coach Rodgers knows they are still in pole position for the top four.

“The destiny is always with us – if that’s the case, we’re happy to accept the responsibility and pressure,” he said.

“That’s all you want, and with Chelsea losing and Man United getting pegged back late on, there’ll be other results which will surprise as well. We have been up there for so long, we have fought to stay there and we are in a first-class position.

“It’s a game [versus Sheffield United] we’ve always earmarked we have to win. The results over the course of the weekend showed you the fluctuation and what a rollercoaster the league is.

“We’ve had a disappointing result so we have to move on from that. That’s the type of mentality we have always had.”

Ben Chilwell and James Maddison remain doubts for the Foxes due to injuries, while Caglar Soyuncu is banned after his red card at Bournemouth.

Leicester are still just a point behind Chelsea and – following his side’s second-half collapse on the south coast – Rodgers called for calm.

“We’ve been up there for most of the season, there’s always pressure, it’s dealing with that – for us it’s that game at a time,” he said.

“It’s a period where there are results which will differ and change. We are still in a incredible position because of the work we’ve done throughout the season.

“We have to stay calm, that’s very important. They are all big games and you can only concentrate on the next game. If we do that it allows us to be in with a better chance of winning.”

PA