Leeds United’s surge in form has positioned them as strong favorites for an instant return to the Premier League, according to Opta Analyst.
Their recent 2-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday, marked by goals from Patrick Bamford and Willy Gnonto, propelled them into second place behind Championship title favorites Leicester City.
Ipswich Town’s prospects, on the other hand, took a hit during a dramatic encounter with Cardiff City. Despite initially looking set to climb into the automatic promotion zone, Cardiff’s two late goals resulted in a crucial victory for Leeds United.
Consequently, Leeds now boasts a 75.6% chance of finishing in the top two, a significant increase from the 21.6% projection at the end of December.
Leeds United’s remarkable turnaround in 2024 is highlighted by the fact that, at the conclusion of 2023, they were given a mere 1.5% likelihood of winning the Championship. This figure has now surged to 28.6%, underlining their resurgence and championship ambitions.
Contrastingly, Ipswich Town’s odds of securing a top-two finish have diminished to 25.5%, emphasizing the impact of unexpected results in the tightly contested Championship race.
Southampton, after overcoming a disappointing run with successive wins, holds a 7.3% chance of finishing in the top two. While the dynamics of the Championship are subject to change with each fixture, the current trend solidifies Leeds United’s position as the frontrunners for automatic promotion. With nine games left in the Championship campaign, Leeds appears well-placed to grasp the opportunity for a swift return to the Premier League.