Daniel Lewis

Tue 26 December 2023 8:10, UK

Ray Parlour says Leeds United can further increase the pressure on Ipswich Town should they beat Preston North End in Tuesday’s (26 December) early kick-off.

Leeds defeated Ipswich 4-0 on Saturday (23 December) to close the gap on the side in second in the Championship to seven points.

Daniel Farke’s men can close that margin to four points with victory at Deepdale ahead of Ipswich’s home match with leaders Leicester City later in the day.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast [26 December, 06:19], Parlour said: “If Leeds United can get a result early doors away at Preston, all of a sudden the pressure is on Ipswich as Leeds will close the gap on the top two places.”

Big one

The victory over Ipswich a few days ago – and indeed the manner of the win – has opened up the automatic promotion race once again.

All of a sudden, the gap on Ipswich in second could be reduced to just four points if Leeds can get the job done at Preston.

It will then be over to Leicester to give a helping hand when they face the Tractor Boys at Portman Road in the late kick-off.

In the worst-case scenario, Ipswich will end the day 10 points better off than Leeds. That will surely end hopes of a top-two finish.

There is still plenty of the season left to go, of course, but Leeds really need to start closing that gap further, rather than letting it grow.

After a recent wobble – if you can call it that – Farke’s charges got back on track in their last outing.

Let’s hope that proves a platform to push from as we ultimately close the gap entirely and overtake Ipswich in the coming weeks.

In other Leeds United news, a first-team player has not been named in the squad to face Preston.