Join @TonyIncenzo each week for his Championship review, with a look at the biggest moments in the latest round of games in England's second tier...
WE’VE relished some huge matches in our pulsating EFL Championship over the past few days.
Leicester City sealed the title but that captivating race to become runners-up is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, any one of five teams could accompany Rotherham United in the relegation slots prompting frenzied sport betting.
Here are the main stories catching my eye…
LEICESTER PROMOTED – QPR SAFE – LEEDS FIGHT ON
Leicester City’s promotion back to the Premier League after a one year sojourn was confirmed on Friday once lowly QPR trounced second placed Leeds United 4-0 at Loftus Road. I watched proceedings unfold inside the Shepherd’s Bush press box and could barely believe my eyes!
Rangers were brilliant in climbing to 16th on the night but Leeds meekly offered a very disappointing performance. Two fierce first half strikes by Ilias Chair (8 minutes) and Lucas Andersen (22 mins) were supplemented through headers from set-pieces featuring Lyndon Dykes (73 mins) and Sam Field (86 mins).
Championship status was assured enabling widespread outpourings of emotion amongst the R’s faithful at full-time embracing a loud rendition of the Bob Marley lyrics: “Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing’s gonna be all right….”
Worth remembering the Hoops slumbered six points adrift of safety in 23rd position when Marti Cifuentes was appointed head coach on 30th October.
Contrastingly, Leeds now face a true struggle to go up automatically following three defeats and just one victory in five outings. They currently lie third – three points behind Ipswich Town in second with one game to go.
In effect, Daniel Farke’s men must beat visitors Southampton in their final fixture on Saturday and hope Ipswich simultaneously lose at home to basement battlers Huddersfield Town. Leeds possess an advantage of six in goal difference terms.
LEICESTER CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to Leicester City on duly clinching the Championship crown courtesy of triumphing 3-0 at Preston North End on Monday.
Former England striker Jamie Vardy scored twice in typical pouncing fashion (36 and 52 minutes) prior to Kasey McAteer (67 mins) rounding off their third consecutive maximum pointer delivering a well-directed downward header.
At the ripe old age of 37, Vardy has amassed 20 goals across all competitions during 2023/24. The Foxes can reach 100 points if they overcome a travelling Blackburn Rovers side in the remaining game.
TRACTOR BOYS IN THE DRIVING SEAT
Championship odds favour Ipswich Town who only require a point against Huddersfield Town at Portman Road this coming Saturday to cement automatic promotion for the second year running.
The Tractor Boys are unconquered in four games and enjoyed a productive week picking up four points on the road.
In fact, they led three times at Play-Off chasing Hull City on Saturday evening before substitute Noah Ohio half-volleyed the homesters’ third equaliser with three minutes left to conclude the thrilling 3-3 draw.
Then on Tuesday, Ipswich crucially succeeded 2-1 at Coventry City where Kieffer Moore’s crisp shot (8 minutes) and a scrambled close range Cameron Burgess effort (69 mins) filled the scoresheet. Incidentally, season 2001/02 was the previous period top flight football graced Suffolk soil.
RELEGATION WOES
Already relegated Rotherham United will be joined on denouement day by two sides from Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday or Blackburn Rovers.
Saturday’s most significant drop zone clash finished Huddersfield Town 1 Birmingham City 1 as 23rd entertained 22nd. Koji Miyoshi gave Blues first blood seconds ahead of half-time via a clever far post conversion but Rhys Healey levelled for the Terriers on 47 minutes lashing high into the net.
Huddersfield definitely look doomed three points under the dreaded dotted line holding a vastly inferior goal difference and that imminent trip to Ipswich Town. They reflect on one victory amid 11 games. A big downfall has been 18 draws this season – more than anyone else in the division.
Alternatively, Birmingham have gained a win and two draws in three unbeaten matches sitting a point short of survival. Play-Off aspirants Norwich City go to St Andrew’s on Saturday.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
