Why Leicester City’s promotion chances actually increased

Nerves may be jangling a bit more among Leicester City fans ahead of the midweek clash against Sunderland.

An unexpected loss against Queens Park Rangers at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon means that Enzo Maresca’s team have now lost their last three games in the Championship. That has seen the gap to second and third dramatically cut, placing more importance on Tuesday night’s clash at the Stadium of Light.

City would have gone into the game against the Hoops on a high after overcoming Premier League opposition to reach the FA Cup quarter-final just a few days before. But despite dominating the possession and chances, it was QPR who took the lead before half time through Ilias Chair.

Things got worse for City as they searched for a way back into the game when Sinclair Armstrong doubled the visitors’ lead just before the hour mark. City did hit back quickly when Ben Nelson turned in the rebound from a saved Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall free-kick for his first senior goal.

But despite 74 percent possession and 28 shots compared to QPR’s three, City were unable to find an equaliser. Ipswich’s 2-0 win over Plymouth saw the Tractor Boys overtake Leeds and reduce the gap between them and City to three points.

However, despite the loss, the afternoon could have been a lot worse for City. As fans arrived at the stadium, they had their eyes glued to the TVs in the concourse as they showed Leeds’ early kick-off against Huddersfield.

The Terriers were able to hold their Yorkshire rivals to a 1-1 draw and holt a nine-game winning run for Daniel Farke’s men even with being reduced to 10 men for the second half. That result had a direct impact on City.

Without even playing a game, it reduced the maximum number of points needed to guarantee a top-two finish from 31 to 29. It also gave them a slight boost in the title race. Ipswich’s lower goal difference adds another buffer, effectively meaning that 30 instead of 31 points could be enough to secure the title.

There is now a game less to secure those points needed. City and their rivals have 11 games of the season remaining and it’s quickly back to action with midweek games taking place.

Those numbers, could, of course, have looked a lot better if City were able to pick up three or even one point against QPR. The team will be hoping that those numbers reduce more by the end of the midweek fixtures.