And finally…It’s not all over…but it is now for nervy £250k punter

A steady stream of punters who backed the Foxes’ unlikely title tilt have already been cashing in on their long shot bets as the chase enters the phase Sir Alex Ferguson famously called “squeaky bum time”.

One anxious Leicester supporter chose to take a £1,200 profit on their bet before a stoppage time loss to challengers Arsenal at the end of last month.

But now one fan who was on to net a potential £250,000 win-fall has also cut and run.

The gambler, who has remained anonymous, stood to win a quarter of million pounds from the £50 bet on Leicester City to win the league taken out before a ball was kicked.

But just hours before Claudio Ranieri’s side went onto beat Watford in a cagey game at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening, the punter opted to take the £72,335 offered to him by Ladbrokes.

According to the Daily Mirror, Riyad Mahrez’s goal, which keeps Leicester five points clear at the top of the table, cost the customer nearly £20,000 in potential winnings.

“I read the papers on Saturday morning and thought it’s time to cash out,” he said.

“Win or lose the league, I’m looking forward to the rest of the season ahead. It will mean so much if we win, so there’s no point in being greedy.

“I’ll be celebrating tonight hopefully after beating Watford. A holiday to Spain is a certainty followed by paying off the mortgage with the winnings.”