Alan Smith; gives verdict on leed and leicester race for the Premier League

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith may understandably have a slight bias when viewing the Championship promotion race. The Sky Sports co-commentator played over 200 games for Leicester City before earning a big move to Highbury in 1987, and keeps a keen eye on his old side.

But while the 61-year-old is tipping the Foxes to clinch an instant return to the top-flight, he admits Leeds United would ‘add something’ to the Premier League, as they battle to seal a top-two place. Smith also has a lot of time for Ipswich Town, and feels the three leading the charge at the top of the division would be fitting members of the top flight next season.

All three stumbled in midweek, with Leeds drawing at home to Sunderland, Leicester losing 1-0 to Millwall while Ipswich were held by Watford. They go again this weekend, with Daniel Farke’s men hosting Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime, following Leicester’s trip to Plymouth Argyle tonight, and Smith is relishing the battle.

“I think Leicester will finish top!” he told instantcasino.com. “You look at all of Leeds, Ipswich and Leicester and they’ve all had hiccups and spells where they’ve been inconsistent. Leicester have certainly had theirs and I hope they’re through it now – they’ve had a couple of wins on the bounce and are back at the top of the league.

“It’s been enthralling to watch. Ipswich are a team from my childhood when Bobby Robson was in charge and when they were in Europe – they were a really good side. It would be nice to see them back. A word on Leeds too – they definitely add something to the Premier League and it would be great to see them back too. I would hope that it can be Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds who go up – that would be great.”