Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Ipswich Town will be the strongest among the three teams likely to drop from the Premier League to the Championship next season.
The struggles of all three newly promoted clubs—Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton—highlight the widening gap between the Premier League and the Championship. None have managed to bridge the divide, and all are now facing relegation.
Southampton, promoted via the playoffs, have endured a disastrous campaign, spending most of the season at the bottom of the table. Under Ivan Juric, following Russell Martin’s dismissal, they have won just two games in 29 matches, sitting 17 points from safety with nine games remaining.
Leicester, despite winning the Championship with 97 points, have failed to establish themselves in the top tier. Enzo Maresca’s departure for Chelsea last summer led to instability, with Steve Cooper coming and going before Ruud van Nistelrooy took over. The Dutchman has since lost 14 of his 18 matches in charge.
Premier League Bottom Five (as of March 24):
16th – West Ham United (34 pts, -16 GD)
17th – Wolverhampton Wanderers (26 pts, -18 GD)
18th – Ipswich Town (17 pts, -34 GD)
19th – Leicester City (17 pts, -40 GD)
20th – Southampton (9 pts, -49 GD)
Ipswich, level on points with Leicester, have kept faith in manager Kieran McKenna, unlike their fellow promoted sides. Their stability, along with a core squad that secured back-to-back promotions, could give them an edge heading into the Championship next season.
Don Goodman Backs Ipswich for Championship Success
Speaking to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman predicted Ipswich would fare better than Southampton or Leicester in the Championship next season.
He credits Ipswich’s recruitment strategy, which saw them sign several proven Championship players. Their summer signings included Chiedozie Ogbene, Jack Clarke, Dara O’Shea, Arijanet Muric, Jacob Greaves, and Sammie Szmodics, while Omari Hutchinson’s loan was made permanent. In January, they added Jaden Philogene and Alex Palmer.
“If Leicester, Southampton, and Ipswich all go down, my money would be on Ipswich to be the most solid next season,” Goodman stated. He noted that many players at Leicester and Southampton lack Championship experience and may not want to play at that level.
Ipswich’s continuity under McKenna could give them an edge over their relegation rivals. His experience and familiarity with the squad, combined with a roster built for the Championship, make them well-positioned for an immediate push for promotion.
In contrast, Southampton and Leicester have already changed managers this season and may do so again in the summer, putting them at a disadvantage. However, Ipswich’s long-term prospects may depend on whether they can hold onto McKenna, who was previously linked with Chelsea and Manchester United. His decision in the coming months could shape the club’s future.
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