Leeds United, Ipswich Town promotion verdict shared by Darren Bent live on talkSPORT
Darren Bent has backed Leeds United to win the Championship this season and either Ipswich Town or Leicester City to go up in second place.
Leeds sit top of the standings after a near faultless run of results in 2024, albeit they are level on points with Leicester who have a game in hand.
Ipswich are a point further back on the same number of games as Leeds, while Southampton are nine adrift but also have two games in hand.
Former Premier League player Conor Hourihane was asked for his prediction on talkSPORT [22 March].
“I think Leeds are really strong at the minute,” the now-Derby County midfielder said. “They’re looking the strongest of the four right now.
“With the quality Leicester have, they’ll regroup over the international break and come strong again to finish in the top two.”
Responding to those comments live on air, Bent said: “He’s made some good points. There’s some very strong teams at the top this year.
“Ipswich will be in the mix, but Leeds for me look like the side that will win the Championship, for sure. They’ve got momentum.
“Leicester have a game in hand, 82 points apiece, Ipswich are on 81 points – it’ll be two from those three.”
Leeds United on remarkable run of form in Championship
It takes someone very brave to predict the top two at this stage, but of course Leeds fans will back their side to go up now they are top.
It was only a few months back that some were questioning Daniel Farke on the back of successive losses to Preston North End and West Brom.
After collecting 37 points from a possible 39, however, the Whites have climbed above the faltering Foxes in what has been a remarkable run.
If we are being realistic, though, it is surely not possible to win all eight remaining games from this point on.
The hope is that Leicester and Ipswich also drop some points and that Leeds do enough to hold off one of the two.
That is not to entirely rule Southampton out of the race, as they have two games in hand and travel to Elland Road on the final day.
And should automatic promotion not be sealed by then, that could set up the tensest of conclusions on 4 May.
In other Leeds United news, the club appeared to take a swipe at Sky Sports after a development on Friday (22 March).
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