Leeds United currently holds the top spot in the table, putting them in a favorable position for the promotion battle as they aim to solidify their position over the upcoming Easter weekend fixtures.
Following the international break, the focus shifts back to Championship football for Leeds and their promotion contenders. The Easter schedule promises a flurry of games, with matches scheduled for Good Friday and Easter Monday. Leeds will kick off by facing Watford away and then welcoming top-six contenders Hull City on Monday.
In their recent match, Leeds secured a 2-0 victory with Willy Gnonto’s fantastic strike and Dan James’ close-range goal. This win lifted them above Leicester City on goal difference in the Championship standings, while they missed a fixture against Chelsea in the FA Cup due to their league commitments.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town exerted pressure with a commanding 6-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road, intensifying the competition at the top. The top three spots are fiercely contested, with Southampton trailing by nine points but with two games in hand:
- Leeds United – 38 MP, 25 W, 7 D, 6 L, GD 42, PTS 82
- Leicester City – 37 MP, 26 W, 4 D, 7 L, GD 41, PTS 82
- Ipswich Town – 38 MP, 24 W, 9 D, 5 L, GD 31, PTS 81
Former players Ben Foster, Darren Bent, and Danny Thomas recently shared their predictions for the top two positions in a podcast. While Bent backed Ipswich Town and Leeds for promotion, Thomas favored Leicester and Leeds. Foster agreed with Thomas, suggesting Ipswich might miss out on automatic promotion.
The battle for promotion remains unpredictable, with minor setbacks capable of altering the standings significantly. Even the most dominant teams, like Leicester, have experienced unexpected challenges this season, making the race even tighter.
In normal circumstances, all four contenders would be on course for promotion, but the current situation dictates that one team will inevitably fall short. The prospect of one deserving side missing out on a Premier League spot next season is a cruel reality that highlights the competitiveness of the Championship.