How The Championship Promotion Race is Shaping Up

Another season of Championship football means another season heavy with uncertainty and surprise at the top of the table. It'll end in tears for most and joy for just three teams, but with Burnley guaranteed a place in the Premier League next season and Sheffield United in the hotseat for second it comes down to one single play-off place, and there's no shortage of teams looking to take it.

Already safe and sound in the play-offs are Middlesbrough and Luton Town. Both could mathematically catch Sheffield United in second, but the Blades need just three points from their remaining four games to make their top flight return a formality. Boro have enjoyed a fantastic turnaround since Michael Carrick replaced Chris Wilder in the dugout, climbing from the relegation zone to where they are now. Luton have put last season's play-off disappointment behind them and kicked on, now under Rob Edwards' stewardship, to earn a shot at promotion. The two sides are considered favourites to win the play-offs but we all know that in a three match format it's never that simple.

Gary Rowett's Millwall currently occupy a play-off spot but are hanging on by a thread. The Lions have a two-point cushion with three games remaining but are struggling for form. With just one win in their last six, its difficult to see Millwall clinging on to their spot, although they have shown at times just how capable they are. Should they sneak into the play-offs beating them will be as tough a task as any. Millwall do face the bottom two, against whom they should expect no less than six points, but face the daunting task of a final day clash with Blackburn, where everything will be on the line.

Speaking of Blackburn, it's the Lancashire outfit who sit in the final play-off place. Rovers have struggled for consistency this season, particularly in performances, but they've been very effective at picking up key results. Jon Dahl Tomasson, like Rowett, is one of few to get through the entire season as manager, and its hard to argue against the job he's done. As a squad Blackburn have a fantastic blend of youth and experience and boast technical quality as good as any. It'll be intriguing to see how they might get on in the play-offs, but an almost impossible run of fixtures stand between Rovers and the top six; their run-in starts away at play-off hopefuls Preston, before champions Burnley come to town, followed by a home game against Luton Town, and then sign off away at Millwall. Getting through such fixtures would certainly be a statement to their potential play-off opponents, as unlikely as it may be.

West Bromwich Albion are the first of the chasing pack. Sitting one point outside the top six, the Baggies have come a long way since Steve Bruce's torrid reign at the Hawthorns. It hasn't been perfect, and there's certainly question marks over their quality, but Carlos Corberan has handed West Brom a lifeline. The Hawthorns has become something of a fortress of late, but their away form has been their undoing at times. Corberan also heads into his final four games with an injury crisis on his hands: Daryl Dike and Nathaniel Chalobah are the latest to join a long list of absentees that includes arguably their most important player in Okay Yokuslu. West Brom do have a very realistic chance but must overcome Sunderland, Sheffield United, Norwich and Swansea if they are to put themselves in the promotion picture.

Keeping it in the West Midlands, Coventry City are the next side setting their sights on the play-offs. Steered by manager of the season nominee Mark Robins, the Sky Blues have been working on a shoestring budget yet find themselves within touching distance of the play-offs. Much is owed to the firepower of highly sought-after striker Viktor Gyokeres, but in truth Coventry have smooth operators all over the pitch. Gustavo Hamer and Ben Sheaf have formed an impressive midfield partnership and Luke McNally has settled in excellently at the back since his January loan move. Their play-off hopes looked to be dead in the water on Wednesday night until, in typical Championship fashion, goalkeeper Ben Wilson bundled in a late equaliser at Ewood Park to keep his side in with a shout. Should they finish in the play-offs, no one should want to face Coventry. Their football is as effective as it is easy on the eye, and a place in the Premier League would be a deserved reward.

Newly promoted Sunderland have certainly made their mark on the Championship this season. Following an unprecedented start to the campaign, Alex Neil's early departure left question marks over their capability to continue at the high standards they set. However, its been business as usual ever since Tony Mowbray took over, and the Black Cats haven't looked back. They bounced back from adversity yet again when star man Ross Stewart was ruled out for the season, yet, after an initial poor run, Sunderland continue to impress. Jack Clarke has finally found his feet in the Championship on one wing while Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo has been a pivotal goal threat on the other. Back-to-back promotions would be a fitting and perhaps ironic response to their double relegation five years ago, but they must first overcome a two-point gap to be in with a shout. Three fellow contenders await the Black Cats before they can begin to prepare for a play-off shootout.

Let's face it, most people had Norwich City at the very least in their top six back in August. Inconsistency is the word that best sums up the Canaries' season. Dean Smith was sacked after a poor start but the problems run deeper and, despite somewhat steadying the ship, similar themes have emerged during David Wagner's tenure so far. Calamitous defending and lack of a consistent goalscorer means Norwich often flatter to deceive. City aren't the same without Emi Buendia, who dragged them to the title two years ago, and Teemu Pukki isn't the player he once was. The league has become too quick and technical for the likes of Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean to thrive. Perhaps these oversights have cost Norwich a shot at an instant return to the Premier League. However, there are individuals there that can win football matches, and Wagner has previous in the play-offs. Marcelino Nunez and Gabriel Sara look to be a fun midfield pair, offering both goals and stereotypical South American technique. That makes Norwich City a threat to any side should they overcome a two-point gap to sixth place, and they certainly can't be written off.

Preston North End. Why are they there? How did this happen? Where did they come from? That's for Ryan Lowe to know and for us to watch unfold. Preston began the season with a remarkable run of goalless draws, and looked set to fall to mid-table mediocrity once again. However, a run of five wins in eight games, coupled with the inconsistency of the top half, has seen them throw their name in the hat for promotion. Not much has been consistent about Preston this season, though loan players have proven to be key. Irish duo Troy Parrott and Tom Cannon, from Tottenham and Everton respectively, have proven a handful for defences, and the latter has certainly been among the goals on North End's recent run of success. Alvaro Fernandez, on loan from Manchester United, has offered creativity from the left-hand side. Ben Whiteman has continued to impress in the middle of the park and Bambo Diaby has been a breath of fresh air at the back. We know that anything can happen in this crazy league, but is promotion for Preston just a little bit too crazy? I think so, but I've been wrong before.

Two more teams remain mathematically in the race but it looks to be too late to bridge the gap. Watford haven't enjoyed their return to the Championship following relegation. The Hornets should be competing right at the top but a disastrous Summer window, subsequent changes in the dugout and a toxic atmosphere off the pitch mean Watford have been nowhere near the level required. Elsewhere, Swansea City have stuck with Russell Martin, and rightly so, but a lack of backing in the transfer market sees the Swans six points off the play-offs. Their possession play is a thing of beauty and, dare I say, makes them among the most impressive sides the Championship has to offer, but Martin's men have too often come up short defensively. If not for a dismal run following the turn of the year, we could be talking about Swansea as a key contender in the race for promotion.