The business end of the football season has arrived, with four games remaining the Championship is competitive as always in what is sure to be a nail-biting closing stage of the season.
The EFL Championship is no different, with everything still to play for. Leeds United, Burnley, and Sheffield United are in a three-horse race for automatic promotion, while as many as nine teams fight for survival with only four games remaining.
What about the Championship play-off spots?
One of the three from the league’s leading pack will take up third place, while Sunderland is all but guaranteed fourth spot as they sit seven points off the top three and 12 points ahead of fifth place.
The two remaining play-off spots (fifth and sixth) remain up for grabs, with five teams in the running.
5th – Bristol City – 64 points
The Robins have lost once in 11 games, with this defeat coming against league leaders Burnley.
Bristol City face Sunderland at Ashton gate on Friday and given Black Cat’s manager Régis Le Bris’ comments that he will continue to rotate his side up until the play offs, the home side will be licking their lips at the potential of a fifth win in their last six home games.
A win on Friday will put the Robins in a very favourable position with Leeds United, Luton Town, and Preston North End remaining on the calendar.
Friday will be crucial and a victory for the home side could all but guarantee the return of this fixture in next month’s play-off campaign.
Remaining games: Sunderland (H), Luton Town (A), Leeds United (A), Preston North End (H)
6th – Coventry City – 63 points
Frank Lampard has done a magnificent job since taking charge of the Sky Blues in November.
Coventry sat 16th, 12 points adrift of the play-offs when Lampard took charge.
City now sit three points ahead of the chasing pack. the former-Everton coach having won 14 of his 25 games in charge of the Sky Blues this season.
Coventry; however, have the toughest remaining schedule of the teams fighting for a top-six spot.
Lampard’s side has to travel to Plymouth Argyle and Luton, both of which to maintain their status in the second tier.
Home games against play-off chasers West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough fall on either side of their two away trips.
With fixtures posing consequence at both ends of the Championship, Coventry will have to remain sharp in order to secure a top-six position.
Remaining games: West Brom (H), Plymouth Argyle (A), Luton Town (A), Middlesbrough (H)
7th – West Bromwich Albion – 60 points
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has had quite the opposite start to what Lampard has endured at Coventry.
Succeeding the reputable Carlos Corberan, Mowbray has only won five of his 15 Championship matches in charge at The Hawthorns, with costly defeats to Sunderland, Bristol City, and Middlesbrough on his record.
West Brom currently sit three points behind Coventry, whom they face on Friday.
A win over their west-midlands rivals puts them back in the driving seat for a play-off spot, but defeat could spell the end of West Brom’s play-off hopes, and mount pressure on Mowbray’s position.
The Baggies face three sides battling for survival following their six-pointer against Coventry.
Similar to Coventry, sharpness will be paramount to West Brom’s hopes in the closing stages. With a six-pointer against the Sky Blues and fixtures against sides fighting for survival, an upturn in form is needed now more than ever.
Remaining games: Coventry City (A), Derby County (H), Cardiff City (A), Luton Town (H)
8th – Middlesbrough – 60 points
Similarly in dire need of an upturn in form are Middlesbrough.
Michael Carrick’s side has endured mixed fortunes in recent weeks, with three wins and three losses across their last seven games.
The Boro will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Plymouth Argyle this weekend, who sit bottom of the Championship.
Carrick’s side lost back-to-back games 1-0 against Leeds and Millwall over the past two weeks.
The Boro boss will be hoping to turn the tides and not repeat their form in February, when they lost five consecutive games.
Tricky trips to Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City also await Middlesbrough.
Remaining games: Plymouth Argyle (H), Sheffield Wednesday (A), Norwich City (H), Coventry City (A)
9th – Millwall – 60 points
At the foot of a three way tie on 60 points is Millwall.
Alex Neil’s side has played their way into contention when seemingly no one thought they could.
Millwall have won four of their last five games, with important victories over Sheffield United and Middlesbrough.
Despite trailing the pack, Millwall have the most favourable fixtures of their fellow promotion chasers.
With Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City and Swansea City having nothing to play for in the closing stages, Millwall also have the hope that Burnley are likely to have secured promotion in time for their penultimate fixture.
Often falling short in previous seasons, preferable fixtures may present Millwall with their best opportunity yet for a play-off finish.
Remaining games: Blackburn Rovers (A), Norwich City (H), Swansea City (H), Burnley (A)
What to look out for in the Championship:
Coventry City’s fixtures look the most likely to shape the outcome of the second tier play-off race, with their fixtures against Middlesbrough and West Brom not only to determine their own fate but potentially present an opportunity for Millwall to move ahead of their rivals.
Millwall’s run-in is favourable; however, the Lions’ neutral goal difference may come back to haunt Millwall on the final day.
Bristol City’s hopes may rest on Friday, already leading the pack with teams below them due to match up against each other, their fixture against Sunderland could nearly seal their place in the top six.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough and West Brom will need a sharp upturn in fortunes, with fixtures against Coventry City vital for all involved.