Leicester City’s defeat Middlesbrough on Saturday may have just opened the door for Leeds United, Southampton and Ipswich Town for top spot.
The Foxes remain nine points clear at the top of the Championship but the trio of clubs behind them continue to keep winning week after week, which will have them looking over their shoulders.
Both Southampton and Ipswich have games in hand over the sides above them and play tonight, with the former hosting Hull City, and the latter at home to bottom-of-the-table Rotherham United.
Southampton will jump into second spot with a win, while Ipswich would move level on points with Leeds. Perhaps crucially, though, Leeds host Leicester at Elland Road on Friday, and a ninth consecutive win would really blow it open.
Speaking on talkSPORT yesterday, Jeff Stelling now believes there is now a ‘glimmer of light’ for the chasing pack behind Leicester to catch them at the top.
Stelling reacts to Leicester defeat
He said: “I mean, Leeds and Southampton, wow! And Leicester lost to Middlesbrough. You just wonder is there a little glimmer of light for the chasers there?”
Ultimately, any hopes of catching Leicester for either of the three sides is likely to rely on Leeds coming away from Friday’s huge clash with all three points.
Defeat for the Whites would leave them 12 behind and make it incredibly tough given just how good Leicester have been for the vast majority of the season. They are still well on course to break Reading’s record of 106 points.
Leicester boss Enzo Maresca acknowledged last week that there has been very little to separate his side with Leeds and Southampton over the last 25 matches, but it is there start which has them so far clear.
For now, it is likely the three teams have their eyes set on that second place only, and if Leicester do continue to falter, then it will be interesting.
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