Richard Keys has raised concerns over Southampton’s prospects after their recent loss, juxtaposed with Leeds United’s triumph, sparking worry among their fans.
Leeds United intensified the battle for automatic promotion by securing a 3-1 victory against league leaders Leicester City on Friday (23 February), putting pressure on both Southampton and Ipswich Town.
While Ipswich managed a 3-1 win over Birmingham City, Southampton faced a setback with a 2-1 defeat at home to Millwall on Saturday (24 February), leaving them trailing by five points.
During a beIN Sports broadcast [24 February, 5:25pm], Keys turned to his co-host Andy Gray with a pointed question about Southampton’s plight: “With the top two pulling away, should Southampton fans start to worry?”
Gray suggested that Southampton might need to recalibrate their expectations towards securing a playoff position and finding momentum.
Southampton’s Promotion Hopes Dented
The Championship race is still wide open with plenty of matches left, but this weekend’s results could be a turning point.
Not long ago, Southampton was on a strong run, looking likely to secure promotion alongside Leicester without the need for playoffs. However, their form has dipped recently, losing three out of their last four games, including a disappointing defeat to Millwall at home.
Meanwhile, Leeds have been on a tear with nine consecutive wins, propelling them into the top two alongside Ipswich, who have matched Leeds’ point total after 34 games despite their own period of instability.
Yet, the unpredictability of football means Leeds’ fortunes could quickly shift, especially with a challenging match against Huddersfield Town looming. This unpredictability adds an extra layer of excitement to the promotion race.
Significantly, Southampton’s upcoming visit to Elland Road on the final day looms large. With 11 games still to play before this clash, it’s poised to be a crucial showdown with potentially major implications for both teams’ promotion aspirations.
