Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist have clashed over whether Leeds United will claim automatic promotion to the Premier League after Leicester City beat Southampton on Tuesday (23 April).
The Foxes made a very loud statement after thrashing fellow promotion hopefuls Southampton 5-0 at the King Power Stadium, opening their gap on the Whites to four points at the top of the table.
Ipswich Town do hold a game in hand over the other two teams and it is looking increasingly like the Whites are in a battle with the Tractor Boys for the second automatic spot.
McCoist interrupted, stating: “I think you’re a bit presumptuous there. Leicester are only five points clear [of third place] with two games left…”
Reacting to the current Championship standings, Brazil said: “Away you go, Leicester are up! Leicester, Leeds or Ipswich – two out of the three. It’ll be Leicester and Ipswich that go up, with Leeds and Southampton in the playoffs.
“No, not yet,” McCoist replied, “They’re on 94 points, Leeds have got 90, Ipswich are on 89 with three games left. If Leeds win both of theirs and Ipswich draw one, Leeds are up.”
Can Leeds United pip Leicester City and Ipswich Town to automatic promotion?
Following their 5-0 thumping, the Saints have quickly been ruled out of the automatic promotion spots by rival fans, with the team now five points behind Ipswich.
Leeds, on the other hand, returned to winning ways after a three-match winless run, edging a seven-goal thriller against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Monday 22 April.
Final matches against QPR and Southampton will be two extremely difficult fixtures for Daniel Farke’s men, though facing the Saints at Elland Road on the last day of the season will be a crucial detail.
Enzo Maresca’s men look to have rediscovered their form at the perfect moment, claiming back-to-back victories over West Brom and Southampton, with many suggesting that only second place is available.
Farke’s previous experiences with Norwich City should be the determining factor between Leeds reaching the Premier League and dropping down the playoff spots.
Many fans are aware of the dangers of the playoffs, and the Elland Road faithful will be desperate to avoid the nail-biting fixtures and would much rather watch those fixtures from the beach.
In other Leeds United news, Goodman suggested it could be time for a youngster to be handed his full league debut against Boro.
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