Leeds United: Paul Heckingbottom makes new Championship promotion prediction

Paul Heckingbottom has backed Leeds United to push Leicester all the way in their bid for promotion, while also gushing over Ipswich Town.

The former Leeds manager went on to claim that, if Leeds are promoted, they will need to invest heavily to give themselves the best chance of staying in the Premier League.

Heckingbottom also talked up Ipswich's chances compared to Leeds, Leicester and Southampton, insisting he cannot stop thinking about the story if they win promotion.

Speaking live on talkSPORT [27 February, 09:55], Heckingbottom shared: "We don't know their situation in terms of what can they do and how can they invest. That'll be the thing to give them the best chance of staying up.

"I can't take my mind away from Ipswich in there at the minute, for them to be able to compete with those three squads, Kieran [McKenna] is doing a fantastic job, so if they managed to do it, that would be unreal.

"At the minute, Leeds are the team that are pushing Leicester the closest."

Will Leeds United get promoted to the Premier League?

With Leeds currently sitting in second place, cutting the cap to Leicester to just six points after their 3-1 win at Elland Road, they have made themselves favourites for the second promotion place.

Heckingbottom is also not the first to be blown away by Ipswich given their level and funding compared to that of their promotion rivals, with former Ipswich star Darren Ambrose also talking up their chances of promotion recently.

However, given the strength of the three sides relegated from the Premier League last year, Ipswich will have to continue to play at the very top of their game if they stand a chance of earning automatic promotion.

Two of Leeds, Southampton and Ipswich will end up in the playoffs this season despite setting record-breaking pace towards the top of the table, in what has proved to be an intense battle for promotion.

In other Leeds United news, Heckingbottom has shared a new Kalvin Phillips verdict.

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