Sport nationLeicester City has been reveling in their promotion to the Premier League, and they haven’t been shy about rubbing it in the noses of their rivals, Leeds United. The Foxes’ immediate return to the top flight was confirmed after Leeds’ disappointing 4-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers last Friday, and they have been enjoying every moment of it.
Leicester City attacker Stephy Mavididi has been particularly vocal, sending a fresh dig at Leeds United on Twitter last night. He posted a video of himself brushing his teeth, accompanied by a clip from Georginio Rutter’s post-match interview after the game between the two sides in February. In the interview, Rutter had said, “I think we are the best team.” Mavididi’s tweet was seen as a jibe at Leeds, and some fans felt it was a bit harsh, especially given Rutter’s limited English.
However, Leicester City can celebrate their promotion however they like, and they have been doing just that. Their first tweet after promotion was confirmed read, “I Predict a Riot,” a reference to the song that was played at Elland Road after Leeds’ 3-1 win over the Foxes in February. The customary “Leeds are falling apart again” has also been heard from both fans and players, and “I predict the play-offs” was sung in Leicester’s end at Deepdale on Monday.
Leeds United’s hopes of joining Leicester City in the Premier League via the automatic promotion route are now all but over. Ipswich Town’s huge 2-1 victory away at Coventry City last night has put them three points clear of Leeds, having played the same number of games. Ipswich know that a point at home to all but relegated Huddersfield Town would be enough to secure promotion, regardless of the outcome at Elland Road.
Huddersfield’s manager, Andre Breitenreiter, has insisted that his team will be doing everything they can to win, but it is incredibly unlikely. Leeds will now need to pick themselves up and go again for the play-offs, something that Martin O’Neill believes could be difficult.
The play-offs represent a second chance for Leeds United, and manager Daniel Farke has to do all he can to pick his players up and go again. Given the position they were in over the international break, as well as the recent digs from Leicester, Leeds’ squad will undoubtedly be feeling a little low right now. However, they need to use Saturday’s game against Southampton as a chance to get back to winning ways and build some confidence ahead of a huge couple of weeks.
Leeds United’s top two hopes have been dealt a significant blow, and they now need to focus on the play-offs. While Farke is likely to come out in his press conference and say that Leeds have a chance on the final day, the reality is that Ipswich Town are in the driving seat. Leeds need to put their disappointment behind them and focus on the task at hand.
The play-offs are a notoriously difficult route to promotion, but Leeds United have been in this position before. They have a talented squad and a experienced manager in Daniel Farke, and they will be hoping to use their experience to their advantage.
In the meantime, Leicester City can continue to celebrate their promotion, and they can enjoy the banter with their rivals, Leeds United. The Foxes have been the better team this season, and they deserve their place in the Premier League. Leeds, on the other hand, need to pick themselves up and go again, and they will be hoping to join Leicester in the top flight via the play-offs.
The Championship is a highly competitive league, and both Leicester and Leeds have shown that they have the quality to compete at the highest level. The play-offs will be a thrilling conclusion to the season, and both teams will be giving it their all in the hopes of securing promotion.
In the end, it’s all about the football, and both Leicester and Leeds have been entertaining to watch this season. Their rivalry has added an extra layer of spice to the Championship, and their banter on social media has been entertaining to say the least. Let’s hope that both teams can continue to produce the goods on the pitch, and may the best team win.
Sport nation
