EFL pundit makes automatic promotion claim for Southampton, Leeds United, and Ipswich Town after their last game….

Jobi McAnuff believes it could be tough for Ipswich Town to beat Southampton and Leeds United to second place.

Ipswich Town occupied second place for much of the first half of the season, but the Tractor Boys’ recent decline in form has opened the door for Southampton and Leeds.

Southampton endured a tough start to the campaign, but after a run of four consecutive defeats in September, the Saints have been in outstanding form, and they extended their unbeaten run to 24 games in all competitions with a 3-0 win over Watford at St Mary’s in their FA Cup fourth round replay on Tuesday night.

It was a difficult festive period for Leeds as they lost back-to-back games against Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion, but the Whites have responded superbly, winning their last five league games.

By contrast, Ipswich have won just one of their last eight league games, and that run of form has seen Kieran McKenna’s side drop out of the top two.

Southampton are currently second, but it remains an incredibly competitive race between the trio, with Leeds and Ipswich just one and two points behind the Saints respectively.