Leicester City moved four points clear at the top of the Championship with two games left to play following their 5-0 thrashing of Southampton at the King Power Stadium this evening.

The Foxes comfortably defeated the woeful Saints via an Abdul Fatawu hat-trick and one each for Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy.

A Leicester win at Preston in their next fixture on Monday would secure promotion regardless of results elsewhere over the weekend, which could see them up before then anyway.

Leeds are in action at QPR on Friday with the Blues, who have a game in hand on the three teams around them, at Hull City on Saturday evening.

Southampton, who host Stoke City on Saturday afternoon, are six points behind second-placed Leeds and can now no longer make the top two barring a miracle with their goal difference 19 worse than the Whites’.

It now looks like a straight fight between the Blues and Leeds for the second automatic promotion spot.

Photo: Action Images

Gazelle added 10:43 - Apr 24 People were writing us off last year with 3 difficult away games but we won them all. If we’re on our best form we can do this again but we need Burns back.
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Kesblue66 added 12:25 - Apr 24 TWO HOME GAMES 2 PTS 1 GOAL WILL COST US DEARLY.
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Broadbent23 added 12:29 - Apr 24 It is now very tricky; we either go for broke and attempt to win all three matches, but we maybe held to a draw and accrue injuries or suspensions prior to the play offs. Unfortunately Leicester have claimed top spot after last night's thrashing of Southampton. A day out at Wembley would be good, but a battle against the budgies will still be brutal. We are in the fate of the football gods. COYB.

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bobble added 12:42 - Apr 24 what a bunch of nervous nellies you all are.......we will go up in 3 games time
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Gforce added 12:46 - Apr 24 For those thinking I was being pessimistic,no just realistic. I just don't believe we will win our last 3 games. If by some chance we do,we will have to play a lot lot better than in recent games.We were fortunate to beat Blackburn away, very poor against the budgies and average against Watford & Middlesbrough. Hopefully the possible return of Burns will give us the extra spark we badly need.,but our form needs to improve dramatically to win all three. Really hope they prove me wrong of course.

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TimmyH added 12:48 - Apr 24 I'll eat a huge slice of humble pie if we beat both Hull and Coventry on the road, I just don't see it happening our away performances of late have not been great. I think we're favourites for 3rd place.
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Marcus added 13:34 - Apr 24 Let's not focus too much on other games, each team is responsible for their performance, so we should focus on our own. Right now we need a win on Saturday. We can look at the next game after that. Still, it would be convenient if tonight's Coventry vs Hull game is super fast-paced with both teams picking up some minor knocks and keeping key players out for a week with a tiring draw...

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blues1 added 13:54 - Apr 24 Why do fans keep saying, if we'd won this game, or won that game? If only football was that simple. And the same can be said for all the 4 teams who've been fighting for the top 2 places. So stop trying to analysexreasons for where ever missed out on thdctol 2, if indeed we do.
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yorkieblue62 added 14:06 - Apr 24 Gazelle, echoes my own thoughts, if we can replicate those commanding away performances from last year against three play off teams. Know Hull & Coventry are a higher level but then for most of the season we have been playing at a much better level so if we can bring the necessary intensity and energy think our determination will get us over the line. Got to believe.

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chepstowblue added 14:33 - Apr 24 It's impossible to predict what will happen, as the results over the past six games have made little sense. If we miss out, it's still been an incredible effort. Man for man we've been up against two sides who have far greater quality than ourselves, so to take it this far, and still have it in our hands is remarkable. Since Xmas I've been saying we'd finish third and lose to Norwich in the play off semi. Sickeningly I still can't see beyond that. With West Brom and Soton also in there, the play offs will be harder to win than trying to finish second. As with Mr Magee above, I'm heartened by the fact that my predictions have been appalling this season, meaning that next August we'll probably be starting with an 8-0 defeat at the Etihad.

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VanDusen added 14:35 - Apr 24 One of the key issues with the recent run is we don't have quite the strength in depth to cope with intensive periods - we were running on empty against Watford and Middlesbrough (the same happened at Christmas too with QPR and Stoke obvs). Main thing is we have had a couple of weeks to give everyone a chance to recharge and hopefully the extra rest vs a Hull side that's played in midweek and then a Coventry side that's played eight times (to our five) since the international break including Sunday's devastating loss can help see us over the line to tee us up for a mammoth game at Portman Rd a week Saturday.

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gosblue added 19:12 - Apr 24 Champions - Ipswich 98 pts 2nd - Leicester 96 pts 3rd - Leeds 94 pts We should be thinking top spot.
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Cakeman added 19:16 - Apr 24 It’s been a wonderful season and hopefully we can get across the line for promotion. I think the season is beginning to take its toll on a few and results have tailed off a little. It’s a shame we lost George Hirst as Connor Chaplin hasn’t been the same since. They knew each others game well and as a pair were extremely hard to contain. I like Kieffer Moore but we had to change our style to fit him in and we haven’t quite been so effective since. It will be very hard for whoever finishes 3rd as it will be a massive disappointment for them and hard to lift it for the play-off’s. In reality I think it could be 3rd v WBA as I think the Budgies will nick 5th. If we are still in the Championship next season we must try to go again with a few new faces. I just hope we can hang on to our Manager and most of our squad.

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Texastom added 19:38 - Apr 24 Agree, think we will get W Brom. Will suit us more. Final could be either. A lot of people won’t remember previous Play-Offs. We are a confidence team, we don’t do pressure. x 8 Play-Offs, got through once. Think we will win this one.
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Gforce added 20:36 - Apr 24 Really hope your right, as I don't think the budgies would beat Southampton over two legs.
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gosblue added 21:09 - Apr 24 Sad thing is, when we beat Hull and Coventry we will be securing Norwich’s play off place.
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sidewaysbackwards added 21:30 - Apr 24 I honestly think this could play into our hands. If hull need to win for a chance of the playoffs they will have to attack which will leave us a ton of space to exploit. And by the time we play Coventry they may have nothing to play for if the scum or West Brom get another point.
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algarvefan added 00:20 - Apr 25 None of these other results need matter, 3 wins and we're up and I believe after our end to last season that we can go up in second place, we have what it takes and I know KMK will have us well prepared.
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Dissboyitfc added 06:50 - Apr 25 Timmy whilst I wouldn't disagree we are favourites for 3rd so indeed we were last season and look what happened there! Here's a what if for those who like to dwell on what might have been! If we hadn't scored our 97th winner against Southampton they would only be 2 points behind us and take away our other late wins and who knows where we would be? Dwelling is a waste of time! Where is the past when you dont think about it and where is the future when you dont think about it? The only thing that really matters is the present, for now that is to focus on Hull game.

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JewellintheTown added 09:42 - Apr 25 With Hull beating Cov yesterday and them being the only realistic but slim chance of knocking Norwich out of the playoffs, it would be a mixed feeling at the weekend beating Hull knowing it would end the chance to put one over on them. Of course, I'd sooner we win all three last remaining games, especially now Cov have only pride to realistically play for and Huddersfield probably down by then anyway. Hull will feel the pressure at home on Sat (or not if Norwich have already won earlier) and hopefully it will show with errors, but otherwise our best chance for 23+ years to be back in the Prem. Seems the lads are up for it so COYBs!!!

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:00 - Apr 25 play offs can be very cruel, 3rd place team has only been promoted 13 times in 36 play offs .
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PackwoodBlue added 11:13 - Apr 25 Hope I'm wrong, but I can see Leeds winning both their last games so we need two wins and a draw. None of them will be easy games. Would be so frustrating not to get promoted on 96 points! Just trying to keep the faith after such a roller coaster season. KM and the lads have done so well. Compared to where we were just three seasons. It's fantastic.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 11:22 - Apr 25 Hull win Cov. means they are still very much in it. Cov. on the other hand are as good as out of contention. Our massive game vs Hull just got even more massive.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 11:30 - Apr 25 Packwood: If (heaven forbid) Leeds win both their remaining matches, then two wins and a draw wouldn't do it for us, cos of Leeds' superior goal difference. (To get third only on goal difference would feel tough.)
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