The Foxes are almost back: Wout Faes and Dennis Praet with Leicester on a victory of return to the Premier League

Leicester City can almost smell the Premier League. The leader in the English Championship won 5-0 against Southampton on Tuesday evening, which means that they can no longer overtake the former Premier League champion in the rankings. Direct promotion can already be received on Friday, otherwise ‘The Foxes’ will have to do it themselves on Monday.

After Leicester City was relegated from the Premier League last season, it seemed for months that it would return to the top level untouchable and with a huge lead, but in 2024 the machine started to sputter. and gave the club a lead of no less than 17 points. However, there has been improvement in recent weeks, with a nice win over number five West Bromwich Albion (2-1) last weekend.

But Tuesday evening’s opponent, number four Southampton and still in the running for promotion, was of a different caliber. If they won, they could still jump over Leicester City in the standings. But Leicester City made it clear at home that there was nothing to be achieved.

Abdul Fatawu was the big man with three goals The Foxes. The Ghanaian winger achieved a hat-trick and immediately doubled his total number of goals this season. Ex-Genkie Wilfred Ndidi and veteran Jamie Vardy also scored in a resounding 5-0 victory. Wout Faes was between the lines for the entire match, Dennis Praet was allowed to come on ten minutes before the end.

And so the Premier League suddenly comes very close for these two Red Devils. The direct promotion could already be a fact on Friday: if Leeds lose, they will be at QPR The Foxes already certain of an immediate return to the big men. If Leeds do not lose, Leicester can do the job themselves on Monday evening when they visit Preston.