Claudio Ranieri expecting 'backlash' from Tottenham Hotspur

Claudio Ranieri has acknowledged that Tottenham Hotspur have an "extra reason" to beat his Leicester City side this weekend as they seek revenge for last season's failed Premier League title bid.

The Lilywhites were right on eventual champions Leicester's heels at one point, only to slip up in the closing weeks as they went four without a win to end the season.

Following that disappointment, Spurs have made a bright start to the current campaign by remaining unbeaten across their opening nine fixtures, albeit having been held to successive underwhelming away draws in the past fortnight.

Ranieri expects a strong response once again from Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday, however, which he admits his players will have to be equal to if they are to pick up a first point on the road this term.

"They have responded very well. They are very ­concentrated, they responded fantastic and, for this reason, they are unbeaten so far," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"They have an extra reason to beat us. It's normal, it's football. There will be a big reaction from them and we have to show our personality, our strength, our philosophy.

"We must also show our shape and discipline – everything. They are hungry. Tottenham are the only unbeaten team so far because they have a very good squad and Pochettino can change and rotate his players."

Leicester are already lagging off the pace in the top flight as they trail the trio of early pacesetters by nine points, having won just three of their first nine games.