Writing this feels like telling a child that the tooth fairy doesn’t exist. She doesn’t, and we all get on with our lives a couple of quid shorter than the time when we too were blissfully ignorant. Leicester City’s 5000/1 fantasy is making the Premier League even more exciting than anyone could have possibly comprehended. But it’s just a fantasy. There are 10 games left which will inevitably drag Leicester back down to earth.

It is an age-old proverb that the League table doesn’t lie. Leicester have objectively been the best team this season and boast claims to have at least one of the best players this season in each position (Schmeichel, Morgan, Fuchs, Kanté, Mahrez, Vardy). In a refreshing contrast to the tiresome domination of Chelsea last campaign, the performances of Leicester this season have been enthralling. They exhibit flare, pace, energy, commitment, fearlessness, tactical astuteness; in short, everything a fan wants to see. With the charming Claudio Ranieri in charge, Leicester have captured the hearts and minds of many a football fan. Ever since they beat – or rather outplayed – title favourites Manchester City a few weeks ago, the scripts for the perfect underdog story were sent to print. Despite an undeserved 2-2 draw against West Brom on Tuesday evening, Leicester’s momentum, many pundits predict, is showing no signs of slowing down. Dreamers have become believers.

But there is another proverb, equally sagacious, that it’s only where you end up in the League table that matters. Leicester have not won the League yet. Paul the Octopus says they will not.

Football clichés will tell us that while form is temporary, class is permanent. Perhaps a snobbish attitude to hold towards Jamie Vardy and Co., but it is true that the Leicester team is almost entirely comprised of Championship players performing far above expected quality. Top players have to develop from somewhere, yet there is a reason why players such as Vardy and Mahrez are playing for Leicester City and not Manchester City. Having said that, the entire Leicester team has been hitting a purple patch all season; far too large a sample size to argue that Leicester are merely ‘on good form’. There is real talent in that squad.

Yet there is also a remarkable lack of talent in several positions in the first team. Danny Simpson couldn’t make it at Newcastle (Newcastle!) and his rash sending off against Arsenal demonstrated inexperience. Likewise, one questions whether pensioner Robert Huth has the legs to carry the team in the same vein in the latter stages of the season. Where Marc Albrighton’s form has come from remains a mystery, but surely the same player released by Villa will sooner or later stop drilling in crosses with pinpoint accuracy?

Historic title challenges also have a tendency to evaporate just as boiling point is about to be reached. We all remember that fateful spring afternoon in 2014 when Liverpool’s assault on the Premier League did just that. If Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard himself slipped up under the pressure, then one wonders how Danny Drinkwater will cope when it really comes down to crunch time.

There is still over a quarter of the season left to play: plenty of time for plenty of slip-ups. Let’s wait and see how Leicester cope when the title is almost in their hands. After all, ‘it ain’t over ‘till it’s over’. The hunting pack won’t simply give up the chase.

The run-in also contains more than a few obstacles. On paper, Leicester have a fairly easy schedule before a fairly difficult run-in, which includes Manchester United away, Everton at home before a final-day trip to Chelsea.

However, it is the next few games which will be most difficult, where Leicester have earned the right to be clear favourites and the onus will be on them to attack – a far different approach to their usual game plan based on low possession and ruthlessly hitting teams with pace on the break. Teams such as Watford, Newcastle and Sunderland will all sit back and invite Leicester onto them. Even clever managers of bigger teams who favour attacking, possession-based football will adopt their tactics.

The lack of fixture congestion for Leicester may seem like an advantage, but in fact it constitutes a marked disadvantage. Leicester looked rusty last weekend against Norwich, almost two weeks after they played Arsenal, and while a long break may soothe tired legs, it does not foster a sense of momentum. Long breaks can hinder winning streaks. More time means more reflection and pressure. There certainly are no easy games in the Premier League. And they don’t get any easier as the stakes are raised.

Only time will tell whether Leicester really have title-winning credentials. For now, let the entertainment continue!