Leicester was really leading Leeds by 17 points at the start of the New Year and appeared to be cruising to victory, even having the chance to surpass Reading’s all-time high in points scored.
Leeds has gained 41 points out of 45 available in 2024, which has put them squarely in the running for the championship in the last month of the season, despite their recent slump in performance.
Leicester has obviously been feeling the pressure from others around them, especially with Ipswich also enjoying a fantastic run of play. However, Conor Coady was eager to clarify in a previous interview that the Foxes were not paying attention to the teams surrounding them.
Jobi McAnuff shares the big difference he’s noticed between Leeds and Leicester recently
In his analysis of the narrow margins that could determine the race, former Reading winger Jobi McAnuff was featured on the most recent episode of the BBC’s Football Daily Podcast earlier today.
Even while they were winning one game after another, McAnuff was quick to draw attention to the whispers of unhappiness among Leicester fans regarding manager Enzo Maresca’s playing philosophy.
That has only been more intense given their recent performance, and it has occasionally led to him biting back.
Although McAnuff agrees that Maresca has every right to be annoyed by the unhappiness of Leicester fans, he worries that the “incredible” environment and mood that have recently been generated at both Leeds and Ipswich could be costly at the conclusion of the season.
“For me, having recently visited Elland Road, the atmosphere there, as well as in Ipswich, is just amazing,” he remarked. I don’t now sense the same bond between the Leicester City players and supporters, which is why I spoke with Mads [Hermansen] and posed that question to him.
“The manager is getting a little bit twitchy at times in interviews which I would with the results he’s got this season. I just don’t feel that same synergy and energy at the moment and when you are talking about the finest of margins, it can come down to that.”
Leeds set for another pivotal promotion race weekend
Given that all three teams might play in banana skin matches this weekend, it appears to be another pivotal one in the promotion push.
In an attempt to snap a 15-year losing streak against the Canaries—who are also vying for promotion—Ipswich travels to face their fierce rivals Norwich City from the outset.
While Coventry City, who have been difficult to beat this season, especially at home, is a team Leeds will be pursuing in the top six, they will travel there.
With a home match against Birmingham City, Leicester has the most favourable schedule of the three teams. But under interim manager Gary Rowett, they are fighting for survival at the bottom.
