Following the weekend’s results, Carlton Palmer believes there will be a three-way contest for the championship title.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Leeds and Ipswich are making a fast pace to push Leicester City for the Championship crown.
- The automatic promotion race is tight, with Leeds winning six straight and Ipswich surging.
- Leicester’s consecutive defeats have opened up the competition, with Leeds and Ipswich only six points behind.
Carlton Palmer believes Ipswich Town and Leeds United can catch Leicester City in a three-way contest for the Championship title.
The automatic promotion race has been one of the most intense and competitive in many years, with the standard at the top of the table at an all-time high.
Leeds’ recent speed has been relentless, dragging Leicester back into contention after back-to-back defeats, including a 3-1 loss at Elland Road on Friday.
After defeating them in the first half of the season, Daniel Farke’s side won their ninth straight league game and 11 of 12 games in all competitions in 2024, with only a single FA Cup draw against Plymouth.
Leeds had a difficult spell during the holidays and had to make up ground; likewise, Ipswich needed to improve in recent weeks after falling behind in January and early February.
However, Southampton has lost three of its previous four games, allowing Ipswich and Leicester to lead by five points.
Upcoming matchups could be defining, with Ipswich facing five teams in the bottom half over the next six games, while Southampton faces Preston and Sunderland.
Leeds survived perhaps their most difficult remaining encounter and now play four relegation-threatened teams in their next four games.
There will undoubtedly be many more twists and turns before the season ends, and second place may easily change hands several times between the three clubs involved. Leicester, on the other hand, may be in the running and should not be overlooked.
Carlton Palmer’s automatic promotion verdict.
Carlton Palmer, an ex-England international and former Leeds player, is convinced his old club will be promoted this season, but he does not rule out Ipswich and Leeds catching Leicester.
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he gave his opinion on the race for promotion in the second division, saying: “Honestly, if you had asked me this question five games ago – will anyone stop Leicester from winning the title – I would have replied definitely not.
“What about Leeds United and Ipswich Town? These two squads are setting an incredible pace. Leeds has six consecutive victories, while Ipswich has four consecutive victories after struggling earlier in the season.
“They have 72 points each, six points behind Leicester, and Leicester have lost their previous two games against Middlesbrough and, of course, Leeds.
“Like I said, there are six points in it, and I think Leeds will come on strong, and I’ve been very impressed with Daniel Farke.”
“It’s game on. It’s game on now.
“It’ll be interesting to see whether one or both can catch Leicester.
“I thought [at the start of the season] Leeds would get promoted, and I still believe they will.
“Leicester will have to pick up.” They have a big FA Cup game coming up on Tuesday, followed by several challenging games.
“QPR at home, which you would expect them to beat, followed by Sunderland and Hull City away, both of whom are vying for a play-off spot.
“Leicester have some difficult games coming up, and I see possibilities for Leeds or Ipswich. They could get caught.”
The race for promotion to the championship
Leeds are in a great position, but Leicester will be hoping to stay ahead of either the Whites or Ipswich.
Enzo Maresca’s side would have to lose two games, with both Leeds and Ipswich capitalizing with two more wins, making it tough for either to catch his side, though doable, as Palmer points out.
