To maintain their chances of automatic promotion, Leeds United must defeat QPR tonight. However, Hull City, who host Ipswich Town at home on Saturday night, could do them a huge favour.
It’s getting to the point in the season where the Championship’s automatic promotion is virtually guaranteed—possibly the most fiercely contested top two in years.
It is very possible for three teams in Leicester, Leeds, and Ipswich Town to finish with 96 or more points, which would win the league almost every season.
Championship state of play: Leeds need to win two to put pressure on Ipswich
Leeds knows they must defeat Ipswich in order to advance, and two victories from two would go a long way towards guaranteeing that. The Foxes are essentially safe; one more victory is required to secure promotion.
Despite being one point behind, Ipswich still have a game left against Coventry City, who are currently idle following their Wednesday night loss to Hull City.
Leeds takes on QPR tonight with the knowledge that a win would put them four points ahead of the Tractor Boys, placing extreme pressure on their remaining two games to catch up to 45 ahead of the final day.
QPR v Leeds predictions
Hull could repay 11-year debt to Leeds with win v Ipswich
Hull City, who defeated the Sky Blues in midweek, will be Ipswich’s first opponent in the final three. The matchup takes place at the MKM Stadium on Saturday night. The Tigers are still hoping to make the playoffs.
Eleven years later, at the end of the 2012–13 campaign, Hull was in the same predicament as Leeds and was pleading for a favour to guarantee that, under Steve Bruce, they would finish in the spots designated for automatic promotion.
Hull drew 2-2 with Cardiff at home, so Leeds had to at least draw away at Watford for Hull to have a chance to stay ahead of the Hornets.
Dom Poleon and Ross McCormack scored goals to give Leeds a victory that meant little to our season but sent Hull to the Premier League in the process. Bruce’s team watched on incredulously as Leeds played later than expected because of a protracted injury delay in the first half:
Now that the roles have reversed, Leeds could really use Hull making good on that debt by defeating the Tractor Boys.
With two victories in the last two games, Leeds ensures that Ipswich cannot lose and, barring an absurd run of goals, the Whites return to the Premier league.
