Patson Daka struck late to secure a 2-2 Championship draw for Leicester City against Preston North End, keeping Leicester within reach of safety. Leicester stay 22nd but remain only one point behind Portsmouth, who drew 1-1 with Norwich City, as the battle to avoid back-to-back relegations stays tight.
The match at King Power Stadium swung several times. Daka put Leicester ahead after just four minutes, but Preston responded before the interval. Andrew Moran levelled, then Benjamin Whiteman completed the turnaround before half-time, leaving Leicester chasing the game again in a tense relegation fight.
Leicester applied heavy pressure throughout and created far more chances than Preston in this Championship draw. Leicester attempted 28 shots and hit
the target 10 times, generating 2.01 expected goals compared with Preston’s 0.41. Leicester still lacked composure in front of goal, underlining why the team remain deep in relegation trouble.
If Leicester are to stay in the Championship, Daka’s form may be central. Daka scored twice from four attempts, with three efforts on target, and also created three chances. The forward punished a defensive mix-up in the 81st minute, sliding in the equaliser that preserved a vital point.
Recent league form increases the strain on Leicester despite this Championship draw. Leicester have won only one of the last 14 league matches, drawing six and losing seven. With Portsmouth still holding a game in hand, and West Brom now four points clear, the margin for error is shrinking fast at the bottom.
The wider Championship picture on 3 April also affected the relegation and play-off races. Blackburn Rovers eased relegation concerns with a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City. Oxford United, placed 13th, held promotion-chasing Hull City to a 1-1 draw, slowing Hull’s push towards the play-off positions.
Play-off hopefuls elsewhere were frustrated in chaotic games. Wrexham came from 2-0 down against West Brom to earn a 2-2 draw, halting West Brom’s chance to pull further clear of Leicester. Swansea City also rallied from two goals behind, drawing 3-3 with Sheffield United in a dramatic match at Bramall Lane.
That contest in Sheffield swung late. Tom Cannon’s 64th-minute strike appeared to secure three points for Sheffield United. However, Adam Idah then scored and later supplied the assist for Eom Ji-Sung, ensuring Swansea left with a share of the spoils and adding another twist to the play-off chase.
Leicester’s draw with Preston, shaped by Daka’s double, keeps survival hopes alive but fragile. The numbers highlight both promise and risk: strong attacking output, yet a single win in 14 league games. With rivals holding advantages in points and games played, every remaining Championship fixture now carries major weight for Leicester.
"HE COMES FROM ZAMBIA!!
HE COMES FROM ZAMBIA!!pic.twitter.com/gAA0hnDdC6Leicester City (@LCFC) April 3, 2026
