Championship promotion battle team-by-team guide and predictions

1 BURNLEY (p35, 77pts)

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany (Image: PA)

They might have drawn three of their last five league games, but Vincent Kompany’s side still look home and hosed when it comes to the automatic-promotion race. Remarkably, Burnley have only suffered two league defeats all season – the most recent of which came back in early November – and the 17-point gap separating them from the play-off places looks unbridgeable with 11 games to go. An FA Cup quarter-final could prove something of a distraction, but it would be a major surprise if the Clarets did not finish the season as champions.

Key game: Middlesbrough (a) – Apr 7

2 SHEFF UTD (p34, 64pts)

Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp (Image: PA)

Having looked assured of the second automatic-promotion spot a couple of months ago, Sheffield United are wobbling. Last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Blackburn means Paul Heckinbottom’s side have failed to win four of their last six league games, with their advantage over third-placed Middlesbrough having once again been cut to four points. It will increase to seven if the Blades win their game in hand at Reading tonight, but they desperately need key players such as Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye to rediscover their top form.

Key game: Norwich (a) – Apr 1

3 MIDDLESBROUGH (p35, 60pts)

Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom (Image: Andrew Varley)

Boro’s rise under Michael Carrick shows no sign of stopping, with Saturday’s five-goal thrashing of Reading meaning the Teessiders have won ten of their last 12 league games. That run includes wins over Blackburn, Watford and Sheffield United, and Boro are piling the pressure on the Blades in the battle for second spot. Chuba Akpom’s remarkable goalscoring form has clearly been key to their success, with the forward’s 21 league goals this season meaning he is four points clear of his closest rival in the battle for the Championship’s Golden Boot.

Key game: Luton (a) – Apr 22

4 BLACKBURN (p35, 58pts)

Blackburn Rovers' Harry Pickering (Image: PA)

Having suffered a sticky patch in January and February, when they went seven games in all competitions without a win, Blackburn have responded superbly by stringing together five successive victories, the most recent of which saw them beat Sheffield United at the weekend. Three of their last four league games have resulted in 1-0 wins, suggesting Jon-Dahl Tomasson has successfully rediscovered the defensive solidity that was a key part of Blackburn’s play earlier this season. They must be doing something right if Ben Brereton Diaz cannot even get in the team.

Key game: Millwall (a) – May 8

5 LUTON (p35, 57pts)

Luton Town's players (Image: PA)

There have been various stages this season where it has felt as though Luton were about to slip away, but the Hatters have displayed commendable durability and remain a key part of the promotion battle. Their away form has been especially impressive – no one has bettered their tally of nine Championship away wins this term – and while they might not score many goals, they don’t concede many either. A lack of promotion experience might be a factor, but this is a squad that has evolved together over a number of seasons.

Key game: Sheff Utd (a) – Mar 11

6 NORWICH (p35, 55pts)

Norwich City manager David Wagner (Image: PA)

Having started the season as strong favourites to claim the title, Norwich have flattered to deceive for much of the campaign. David Wagner has hit feet under the Carrow Road table now though, and his side are finally showing signs of gelling, having picked up 13 points from their last five games. Teemu Pukki returned to action in Saturday’s win at Millwall, and US international Josh Sargent should also be back from injury for this weekend’s game with Sunderland. If they hit top form in the next couple of months, Norwich could be major players in the play-offs.

Key game: Sheff Utd (h) – Apr 1

7 MILLWALL (p35, 54pts)

Millwall's Zian Flemming celebrates after scoring (Image: PA Images)

Saturday’s defeat to Norwich saw Millwall fall out of the play-off positions, and their form in the last couple of months has been somewhat patchy, with their last six matches resulting in two wins, two draws and two defeats. The Lions remain effective up front, with Tom Bradshaw and Zian Flemming in good form, but their previously-reliable defence has begun to creak. Their home form is likely to be key, with nine of their 15 wins so far this season having come at the Den.

Key game: Luton (h) – Apr 7

8 COVENTRY (p35, 52pts)

Viktor Gyokeres scores for Coventry City (Image: PA)

Coventry’s early-season ground troubles mean they have been playing catch-up all season, so the fact Mark Robbins’ side are just three points adrift of the play-off positions with 11 games to go underlines just how impressively they have performed in the last few months. Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Huddersfield was their fourth win in the last five games, with Viktor Gyokeres claiming another two goals to take his seasonal tally in the league to 17. With the Swedish striker leading the line, the Sky Blues will justifiably fancy themselves against anyone.

Key game: Middlesbrough (a) – May 8

9 WATFORD (p35, 51pts)

Watford's Ismaila Sarr (Image: PA)

They might have the best side in the Championship on paper, but Watford continue to stumble on the pitch, and time is running out for Slaven Bilic’s side if they are force their way into the play-offs. Saturday’s goalless home draw with Preston means the Hornets have won just one of their last eight matches, with their attack continuing to stutter despite the presence of Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro. Hamza Choudhury is another player who is not really living up to his billing, and Watford continue to look less than the sum of their considerable parts.

Key game: Luton (a) – Apr 1

10 SUNDERLAND (p35, 49pts)

Sunderland forward Amad Diallo (Image: Ian Horrocks)

Having arguably overachieved for much of the season, Sunderland’s inexperience and lack of a centre-forward appears to have finally caught up with them. Saturday’s home humiliation at the hands of Stoke leaves the Black Cats six points adrift of the play-off positions, and it is hard to see that gap being bridged. The loss of Ross Stewart was a hammer blow, and while Joe Gelhardt has shown plenty of effort since joining on loan from Leeds, he is not a natural leader of the line. Similarly, there is no like-for-like replacement for the injured Corry Evans in midfield.

Key game: Sheff Utd (h) – Mar 15

FINAL TABLE PREDICTION:

1 Burnley

2 Middlesbrough

3 Sheff Utd

4 Norwich

5 Blackburn

6 Coventry

7 Luton

8 Watford

9 Millwall

10 Sunderland