After the heartbreak of relegation from the Premier League last season, the likes of Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton are looking to bounce back to the top flight ASAP.
With the business end of the season in the Championship fast approaching, all three clubs are doing all they can to get back to the head table of English football.
The Foxes A Class Above
Having won the Premier League title back in the 2015/16 season, it was a shock to see both the Foxes and Leeds relegated on the final day. The Whites suffered a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently priced at 40/1 in the outright markets for odds on the Premier League winner.
As Leeds went down to Spurs 4-1 at Elland Road, Leicester also suffered the heartbreak of relegation despite a 2-1 win over West Ham United, while Southampton had already been condemned to life in the Championship. It was clear that, for Leicester, things started to go wrong when former boss Brendan Rodgers came apart. In the aftermath, the wheels really came off at the King Power Stadium.
With manager Enzo Maresca now running things at Leicester, the East Midlands outfit will take some stopping to be denied the Championship title this season. Having won 25 of their first 32 games of the league campaign, the Foxes have led from the front and don’t look likely to be caught. The likes of the coveted Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Stephy Mavididi and Jamie Vardy have all made significant contributions to the goalscoring department.
In addition, the likes of Ricardo Pereira, Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes have all been solid in defence. Maresca has developed a style the squad have bought into and the club has been reaping the rewards this season.
Whites And Saints Desperate For Swift Return
If Leicester can maintain their strong form, it means Leeds United and Southampton will be amongst the clubs battling for the second automatic promotion place. Leeds have come on leaps and bounds under manager Daniel Farke as their form at the start of the year has put them back in the mix for a top-two finish.
They boast an abundance of talent in attack, including the likes of more experienced stars Patrick Bamford and Daniel James. Leeds have also improved at the back from last season, with the addition of Joe Rodon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur proving to be a shrewd piece of business.
Southampton, meanwhile, have also enjoyed some impressive form over the winter months to put themselves in the automatic promotion picture. Russell Martin deserves great credit for steadying the ship after relegation in what is his biggest managerial job to date. Both the Saints and Leeds managed to reel in Ipswich Town with their form at the turn of the year and now the East Anglian side have a battle on their hands to land second spot and avoid the play-offs.
A quick return to the Premier League is vital for Leicester, Leeds and Southampton, especially considering the financial implications at stake. Others in the Championship will be looking to cause an upset but the Foxes, Whites and Saints will take some stopping to be denied a return to the top flight.
Last Updated on February 17, 2024 by soubhik
