Southampton have a game in hand on Leeds United as the race for automatic promotion shifts momentum.
The Championship promotion race took a dramatic turn on Leeds Tuesday night as Leeds United defeated Swansea City 4-0 to surge clear into second position. Daniel Farke’s side is in excellent form, but their victory coincided with the end of Southampton’s lengthy unbeaten streak.
Leeds are now two points clear in the second automatic promotion spot, which would result in a return to the Premier League and no nerve-racking play-offs. Leaders Leicester are 12 points ahead, with first place looking like a formality.
However, the chase for second place is now in full swing, and things are looking up for Farke and Co. However, Leeds United fans are only thinking about one thing: Southampton’s upcoming encounter.
While Leeds has played 32 games, the Saints and fourth-placed Ipswich Town have only played 31, so we won’t have a whole picture until the Championship returns to normal. Fortunately, we do not have long to wait.
Russell Martin’s team will play a ‘extra’ encounter next week, when play-off contenders Hull City visit St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday, February 20. That is no easy encounter, with Liam Rosenior’s Tigers aiming for a top-six finish after investing in their team during the January transfer window.
Before that, Leeds will try to maintain their second-place position as they travel to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, the day after Southampton face West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. This will be the Whites’ third meeting with Argyle in as many weeks, following a replay victory against Ian Foster’s side in the FA Cup fourth round.
