Before the Premier League season kicked off, Ally McCoist expressed doubts about Leeds United’s survival chances, predicting a tough campaign for the newly promoted sides.
The trend has been worrying in recent years. In both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, all three promoted teams were relegated. Last year, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton all dropped back to the Championship after failing to mount a serious fight against the drop.
At the time, McCoist suggested the pattern might continue but felt that at least one of Leeds, Sunderland, or Burnley could break the cycle.
McCoist’s Pre-Season Prediction
Speaking on TalkSPORT in August, McCoist said:
“One of the promoted sides will stay up. I really hope so. It is probably my heart ruling my head, but I’ve plumped for Sunderland to stay up just before Leeds.”
Fast forward to September, and Leeds United gave their fans a huge boost with a comeback 3-1 win over Wolves at Molineux. Goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach, and Noah Okafor secured the victory.
Elsewhere, Sunderland battled for a point against Aston Villa despite going down to 10 men, while Burnley held Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest to a 1-1 draw.
👑 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘃𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀@HisenseUK Player of the Match pic.twitter.com/gVDioMHKGT
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 21, 2025
McCoist Revises His Prediction
Reflecting on the weekend’s results on TalkSPORT, McCoist admitted he had changed his mind. Instead of just one team surviving, he now believes two of the three promoted sides could avoid relegation—and that spells danger for several established clubs.
He said:
“Leeds as well, Burnley picking up another point. You know, we might be talking about two of them staying up.”
Jeff Stelling agreed, replying:
“If you’re a fan of Wolves or West Ham, Brentford, then you are worried that all three of them may stay up.”
McCoist added:
“You’ve got to be concerned, particularly with the first two teams.”
