Championship Round 4 Preview: Leeds United's Attack Yet to Shine, Leicester City Embracing Italian Influence

As we head into the fourth round of the English Championship, all eyes are on Leeds United and Leicester City, two clubs with contrasting starts to the season and differing ambitions. Leeds United, relegated from the Premier League last season, are yet to find their footing, while Leicester City, also recently demoted, have begun their campaign under new Italian coach Enzo Maresca with a series of narrow victories.

This round promises to be pivotal for both teams as Leeds United aim to kickstart their season against a high-flying Ipswich Town, while Leicester City look to continue their winning streak against a struggling Rotherham United.

Leeds United vs Ipswich Town - Can the Whites Unleash Their Firepower?

Leeds United's start to the 2023-24 Championship season has been anything but smooth. After three games, they find themselves winless, with just two points to their name, placing them perilously close to the relegation zone. For a team that harbors ambitions of bouncing back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, this is far from ideal.

A major talking point this summer has been Leeds’ ability to retain their Italian international winger, Wilfried Gnonto, despite interest from top-flight clubs. Additionally, the acquisition of Joel Piroe, who was the fourth-highest scorer in the Championship last season with 19 goals for Swansea City, has raised hopes that Leeds can significantly bolster their attacking threat. However, so far, that firepower has yet to fully materialize.

Leeds’ opponents in this round, Ipswich Town, have enjoyed a dream start to the season. The Tractor Boys, who finished as runners-up in League One last season, have won all three of their opening matches, placing them at the top of the table, ahead of Leicester City on goal difference. Ipswich’s defensive solidity was their hallmark last season, conceding just 35 goals in 46 games, the fewest in League One. Their attack was also prolific, as they became the first team since Milton Keynes Dons in the 2014-15 season to score over 100 goals in a single League One campaign.

Ipswich’s defense has carried that form into the Championship, conceding just two goals in their opening three matches, the joint-lowest in the league alongside Birmingham City. Meanwhile, their attack, led by last season’s League One top scorer Conor Chaplin, who opened his Championship account in their last outing against Queens Park Rangers, has continued to produce. If Chaplin can keep his scoring boots on, Ipswich may well be on their way to emulating the fairy-tale success of Kaiserslautern, who famously won the Bundesliga title in 1998 after gaining promotion.

Leeds United, on the other hand, have had a turbulent summer, with several key players departing following their relegation. Despite this, the club has not shied away from spending in the transfer market. The signing of Piroe, along with the addition of Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu, indicates Leeds’ intent to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion. The retention of Gnonto, despite strong interest from Serie A, also signals Leeds’ ambition to retain their best talents.

New head coach Daniel Farke, who has experience of winning promotion from the Championship with Norwich City, faces the challenge of quickly integrating these new signings and getting Leeds back to winning ways. However, their task against Ipswich is daunting. Leeds have not won at Portman Road in over a decade, and although the Tractor Boys are riding high, the return of some key players from injury, coupled with the arrival of new signings, could see Leeds put up a stronger fight. A 1-1 draw seems a likely outcome as Farke’s men continue their quest to rediscover their form.

Rotherham United vs Leicester City - Can Maresca Prove His Managerial Credentials?

Rotherham United and Leicester City will meet for the first time at Rotherham’s new home ground, in what promises to be an intriguing contest. Rotherham, now in their second season back in the Championship, have had a difficult start to the campaign, with just one point from their opening three games. Their defensive frailties have been exposed, as they have conceded the most goals in the league so far.

Last season, Rotherham were known for their resilience, finishing 12 points clear of the relegation zone, largely thanks to their ability to grind out results. They were the Championship’s draw specialists, sharing the spoils 17 times, the joint-most with Luton Town, who were promoted to the Premier League. However, this season, their defense has struggled, and relying on draws may not be enough to secure survival.

Leicester City, on the other hand, have had a busy summer, with several high-profile departures following their relegation from the Premier League. The sales of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes brought in over €90 million in transfer fees, providing the Foxes with the financial backing needed to rebuild their squad and mount a serious promotion challenge. Leicester’s strategy has been to spread their transfer budget across all areas of the pitch, reinforcing their defense, midfield, and attack in equal measure.

The appointment of Enzo Maresca as head coach raised some eyebrows, given his limited experience as a manager. Before joining Leicester, Maresca had only one senior managerial role, at Parma, which ended after just 14 games with disappointing results. Last season, he was part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff at Manchester City, where he presumably gained valuable experience. However, it remains to be seen whether he has the tactical acumen and leadership skills required to lead Leicester back to the Premier League.

So far, the early signs are promising. Leicester have won all three of their opening matches by a one-goal margin, demonstrating their ability to grind out results. This bodes well for a long Championship campaign, where consistency and resilience are often more valuable than flair. Rotherham may be in the relegation zone, but their home form is not to be underestimated. Leicester will need to be at their best to secure another victory, but with their strengthened squad, they are expected to come out on top. A 2-1 win for the Foxes seems a likely result.

As the season progresses, both Leeds United and Leicester City will be under intense scrutiny. Leeds must find a way to get the best out of their new signings if they are to turn their season around, while Leicester will be hoping that Maresca can continue his strong start and prove that he has what it takes to lead them back to the top flight. With so much at stake, the upcoming fixtures in the Championship promise to be as fiercely contested as ever.