Leeds United, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and now Southampton all look set for an intense automatic promotion finale.
It had looked as though it was a three-horse race for the top two places just a matter of days ago, but slip-ups from all of Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich has given Southampton hope again.
Ipswich are currently the side who the lead the way at the top of the division, as they sit on 89 points from their 43 matches. Leicester are in second, a point behind, but with a game in hand.
Leeds, who will be kicking themselves after picking up just one point from back-to-back home games with Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers, are in third on 87. Gary Lineker cannot believe the drop off from all three sides at the top.
Southampton are actually six points further back from Leeds but have two games in hand, and still also have to face both Leicester and the Whites away from home in their run-in.
Speaking just a matter of weeks ago, Leicester defender Conor Coady had predicted 100 points would be required to finish second, though that does not look as though it will be the case.
Coady admitted yesterday results elsewhere could’ve played a part in the Foxes’ recent blip, but it certainly sets up an incredible finale.
So, here at LeedsUnited.news, we have predicted each match of the top four’s run-in.
Leeds United
Leeds have just three matches remaining in their season and it would be fair to say on paper, it is one of the toughest run-ins of the four.
Their first match is next Monday at Middlesbrough, whose play-off hopes could be all but over by then. Leeds then face another away trip to relegation battling QPR, before a potentially huge final day showdown at Elland Road against Southampton.
Predictions:
Middlesbrough 1-2 Leeds
QPR 0-2 Leeds
Leeds 1-1 Southampton
Ipswich Town
Like Leeds, Ipswich also have just three matches remaining, two of which are on the road. Kieran McKenna’s side do not actually play again until Saturday 27 April, by which point Leeds will have already played twice.
Both of their away trips look very difficult on paper at Hull City and Coventry City, before they then round off the season at home to Huddersfield Town, who will be fighting for their Championship lives.
Predictions:
Hull City 2-1 Ipswich
Coventry City 0-1 Ipswich
Ipswich 3-1 Huddersfield
Leicester City
Given Leicester’s recent form on their travels, they will be delighted at the fact three of their final four remaining matches are at home. That said, they are not easy.
In the Foxes’ next two, they face two very tricky encounters against West Brom and Southampton, before then travelling to Preston North End. They end the season at home to Blackburn.
Predictions:
Leicester 1-1 West Brom
Leicester 1-2 Southampton
PNE 1-1 Leicester
Leicester 3-1 Blackburn
Southampton
Southampton still have five matches remaining and their games in hand could be what gives them the edge over those around them. They kick off their run-in at home to PNE tonight.
The Saints then face back-to-back away matches at Cardiff City and Leicester, before then hosting Stoke City in their final home match. Leeds await on the final day.
Predictions:
Southampton 2-2 PNE
Cardiff 0-2 Southampton
Leicester 1-2 Southampton
Southampton 2-1 Stoke City
Leeds 1-1 Southampton
Final table
- Ipswich – 95 points
- Leeds – 94 points
- Leicester – 93 points
- Southampton – 92 points