Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Sat 18 April 2026 12:42, UK

Leicester City seemed destined for relegation but West Bromwich Albion still have a fighting chance of staying up.

After James Morrison guided West Brom to a seven-match unbeaten run, Baggies fans were beginning to believe they would stay in the Championship for another season.

But reports of a potential points deduction for an alleged financial breach, in addition to Oxford United and Portsmouth’s upturn in form, has thrown their campaign into uncertainty.

West Brom’s destiny is still in their hands, for now, as they sit one place and two points above the bottom three with four games to go.

And while fans will be nervous ahead of West Brom’s trip to Preston North End on Saturday, Midlands neighbours Leicester – who got docked six points for a financial breach of their own – are in a much worse position.

Leicester City’s season of woe

When Leicester were relegated from the Premier League in 2023, they won the Championship title the following campaign.

So when they got demoted last term, hopes were high of an immediate return to the English top-flight. Now, however, they are in real danger of dropping into League One.

West Brom could join them if they get hit with a points deduction, in addition to having a poor end to the season.

But for Leicester, their future looks very bleak, with Gary Rowett doing little to arrest their slide down the table.

Indeed, Leicester are bringing up the rear in many facets of the game, including passing into the final third and successful long passes.

They are also 23rd for goals conceded, clean sheets, and, perhaps most significantly, for points dropped from winning positions.

Unless there is a huge turnaround, it seems Leicester are heading for the English third tier. For West Brom, who could even get a points penalty after the season ends, they can only think about beating Preston at Deepdale.

West Brom face uneasy wait over P&S charge

Earlier this week, a report stated that West Brom had been charged for exceeding the £41.5million loss limit for the three seasons up until 2024-25.

The Baggies said they have “fully complied” with the English Football League’s profit and sustainability rules and while they did not confirm the charge, they did indicate there was a problem.

A statement reads, “The club considers that it has fully complied with the P&S rules. The club will continue to co-operate with the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit and looks forward to resolving this matter.”

But as former Millwall player Sam Parkin said, West Brom’s players need to ignore that and focus on beating Preston, something he believes they will do.

If results go their way, West Brom could be five clear of the drop zone but a loss at Preston and a win for Oxford at Derby County would see them fall to 22nd.