Leicester City, Leeds United, and Ipswich Town are vying for the top two spots in the Championship. According to Ipswich coach Kieran McKenna, it appears to be the most competitive promotion run-in in history, which is thrilling enough for a neutral to say the leastwise
Leicester was really leading Leeds by 17 points at the start of the New Year and appeared to be cruising to victory, even having the chance to surpass Reading’s all-time high in points scored. But their slump has coincided with Leeds winning 41 of 45 points available in 2024, putting them squarely in the running for the championship in the last month of the season. Leicester has obviously been feeling the pressure from others around them, especially with Ipswich also enjoying a fantastic run of play. However, Conor Coady was eager to clarify in a previous interview that the Foxes were not paying attention to the teams surrounding them.
Jobi McAnuff, a former Reading winger, discussed the microscopic margins that could decide the race earlier today on the most recent episode of the BBC’s Football Daily Podcast. Even as Leicester continued to win, McAnuff was quick to draw attention to the whispers of unhappiness among the team’s supporters over manager Enzo Maresca’s style of play. That has only gotten worse given their recent performance, which has occasionally led him to lash out.
McAnuff thinks that although Maresca has every right to be annoyed by the unhappiness of Leicester fans, the “incredible” setting and enthusiasm that both Leeds and Ipswich have recently produced may make it costly for Maresca toward the end of the season. “The environment at Elland Road and in Ipswich is just amazing,” he remarked after visiting recently. Because I don’t now sense the same bond between the players and supporters at Leicester City, I spoke with Mads [Hermansen] and asked him that question.
Interviews with the manager have shown him to be a little twitchy at times, which makes sense given the season’s performance. When discussing the narrowest of margins, it can come down to that, but right now I just don’t feel that same synergy and excitement. Another crucial promotion race weekend is planned for Leeds. With all three teams potentially playing in banana skin matches, this weekend appears to be another pivotal one in the promotion chase.
In the early kickoff, Ipswich travels to fierce rivals Norwich City in an attempt to snap a 15-year losing streak against the Canaries, who are also vying for promotion. Meanwhile, Leeds travels to Coventry City, who have been difficult to beat all season, especially at home, in an attempt to catch them in the top six. Leicester’s matchup against Birmingham City at home appears to be the simplest of the three teams’ schedules. Under temporary manager Gary Rowett, they are, nevertheless, fighting for survival at the bottom.
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