Championship promotion race: A club-by-club guide

Norwich City and Leeds are battling it out at the top
Norwich City and Leeds United are battling it out at the top Credit: getty images

The Championship promotion race is set to go down to the wire. The final play-off spot is currently occupied by Bristol City in sixth, but even 15th-placed Brentford are only eight point adrift with over 10 games left in the season.

That's over 30 points still up for grabs.

Here, Luke Edwards runs the rule over the most likely contenders - and their chances - for promotion to the Premier League.

Norwich City

Form (most recent fixture first) WWWLW

Remaining fixtures Swansea (H); Hull (H); Rotherham (A); Middlesbrough (A); QPR (H); Reading (H); Wigan (A); Sheffield Wednesday (H); Stoke (A); Blackburn (H); Aston Villa (A)

How has the manager performed?

Just like David Wagner at Huddersfield, Daniel Farke has swapped a coaching position at Borussia Dortmund for England and completely transformed a struggling Championship team. It did not happen overnight. Farke was appointed in May 2017 and was under pressure when Norwich only won one of their first five games in the Championship this season, but he has done a remarkable job.

Strengths

Norwich have scored more late goals than anyone in the Championship, which sums up their never-say-die spirit. The win over second-placed Leeds United in February was a scintillating counter-attacking display, but they are a versatile side who can grind out wins or blow teams away with their brilliant attacking game.

Weaknesses

The defence looks more vulnerable than it should for the league leaders, mainly because they play such an open and expansive game. Of all the teams involved in the promotion race, only 10th-placed Hull have conceded more.

Key player Teemu Pukki

Promotion odds 1/5

Leeds United

Form WLWWD

Remaining fixtures Bristol City (A); Reading (A); Sheffield United (H); Millwall (H); Birmingham (A); Preston (A); Sheffield Wednesday (H); Wigan (H); Brentford (A); Aston Villa (H); Ipswich Town (A)

How has the manager performed?

Marcelo Bielsa is the biggest name to grace the Championship since Rafa Benitez led Newcastle United to the title two years ago. The Argentinian sparked controversy with the admission he has spied on every opposition’s training sessions this season, but that should not distract from the brilliant job he has done at Elland Road. Hugely popular with supporters and players alike.

Strengths

The players have completely bought into Bielsa’s methods and obsessive personality. Their high energy, high press, high-risk football is breathtaking to watch and if they are at their best, there is not a team in the league who can live with them.

Weaknesses

Despite Bielsa’s attempts to argue otherwise, there is a risk Leeds will run out of gas in the home straight because of the style of football they play. There have been some sub-standard performances since Christmas, although Bielsa denies it is anything to do with exhaustion.

Key player Mateusz Klich

Promotion odds 4/11

Marcelo Bielsa
The Leeds players have completely bought into Marcelo Bielsa's methods Credit: pa

Sheffield United

Form DWWWD

Remaining fixtures Rotherham (H); Brentford (H); Leeds (A); Bristol City (H); Preston (A); Birmingham (A); Millwall (H); Nottingham Forest (H); Hull (A); Ipswich Town (H); Stoke (A

How has the manager performed?

Chris Wilder is arguably the most exciting English managerial prospect outside of the Premier League. A former player for Sheffield United, he has proven to be a far better manager. Did an excellent job at Northampton Town before guiding the Blades out of League One in his first season. United have improved each year he has been in charge.

Strengths

They have not conceded a goal in four games, winning three of them and drawing the other against city rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Well organised, committed and dangerous in the final third, their strike force of Billy Sharp, Scott Hogan, Gary Madine and David McGoldrick is as strong as any in the division.

Weaknesses

The draw against Sheffield Wednesday was a reminder of their limitations against well-organised sides and most teams will look to contain when they face them between now and the end of the season. Their trip to Leeds next weekend could determine who goes up automatically,  and who has to navigate the play-offs.

Key player Billy Sharp

Promotion odds 8/13

West Bromwich Albion

Form LLWWD

Remaining fixtures Ipswich Town (H); Swansea (H); Brentford (A); Birmingham (H); Millwall (A); Bristol City (A); Preston (H); Hull (H); Reading (A); Rotherham (H); Derby (A)

How has the manager performed?

Darren Moore won hearts and minds when taking charge of a lost cause in the aftermath of Alan Pardew’s disastrous reign, but his appointment was always a risky one given he is a novice manager competing against far more experienced rivals. He has done OK, but many feel West Brom have underperformed. Anything less than promotion will be a failure.

Strengths

On paper, West Brom have the best squad in the top six and are the highest-placed team in the Championship benefitting from Premier League parachute payments. The loan signing of Dwight Gayle from Newcastle was arguably the best signing of the summer and they have Premier League quality players to call on.

Weaknesses

Something has not been quite right all season. They have not been consistent or ruthless enough, with question marks over their attitude at times. Thrashed by Leeds and beaten at home by Sheffield United in their last two games, their chances of finishing in the top two are fading fast.

Key player Dwight Gayle

Promotion odds 2-1

Darren Moore
West Brom have the best squad in the top six Credit: getty images

Middlesbrough

Form DWWLD

Remaining fixtures Brentford (H); Preston (H); Aston Villa (A); Norwich (H); Bristol City (H); Swansea (A); Bolton (A); Hull (H); Stoke (H); Nottingham Forest (A); Reading (H); Rotherham (A)

How has the manager performed?

Tony Pulis was tired of fighting relegation battles in the Premier League and wanted to work for chairman Steve Gibson as he reminded him of Peter Coates at Stoke. The problem is, Boro spent heavily and failed to go up last season so Pulis has been forced to cut costs. Familiar grumbles about his preferred style of play have soured things at times.

Strengths

The team has a nice blend of youth and experience and they have the best away record in the division. Extremely difficult to break down, they have all the usual traits of a Pulis team and will be the side everyone wants to avoid in the play-offs.

Weaknesses

The home form has been a major cause for concern and the team have been booed off several times by their own supporters. Boro struggle to play the same sort of attacking football as the teams around them and the lack of goals is a worry.

Key player John Obi Mikel

Promotion odds 11/4

John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel is Boro's key player Credit: Charlotte Graham

Bristol City

Form DLLWW

Remaining fixtures Leeds (H); Ipswich Town (H); Sheffield United (A); Middlesbrough (A); Wigan (H); West Brom (H); Aston Villa (A); Reading (H); Sheffield Wednesday (A); Derby (H); Millwall (A); Hull (A)  

How has the manager performed?

Lee Johnson has been through difficult periods at Ashton Gate but got through them and it would be an incredible achievement for the club to get into the play-offs. His personality has driven the team forward and he deserves huge credit for their achievements given their budget.

Strengths

They have benefited from the fact everybody seems to think they will fall away at some point and have therefore snuck under the radar. They play with the freedom of a side that does not feel under pressure and that makes them dangerous.

Weaknesses

Do not look as strong as the other teams in the top six - on paper at least - and can only avoid pressure for so long. Neither the manager nor the players have been in this sort of position before and they are no longer a surprise package. Demand respect and that might make things harder for them.

Key player Callum O’Dowda

Promotion odds 8-1

Bristol City have some tough away games remaining
Bristol City have some tough away games remaining Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Derby County

Form WLLLD

Remaining fixtures Sheffield Wednesday (H); Stoke (H); Rotherham (H); Brentford (A); Blackburn (A); Bolton (H); Birmingham (A); QPR (H); Bristol City (A); Swansea (A); West Brom (H)

How has the manager performed?

Things appeared to be going to plan for Frank Lampard in his first managerial role, but he has faced his first crisis as Derby suffered four consecutive defeats and slipped out of the play-off places. The thrashing at Aston Villa last weekend made them look like a side that had stopped listening to him, but a win over Wigan has steadied things.

Strengths

They have a well-balanced team and loan signings Mason Mount and Harry Wilson have been superb. Until recently, Derby could stand toe-to-toe with any of the top six and look their equal. Have plenty of experience and can only hope the loss of form is behind them after the Wigan victory.

Weaknesses

They are scarred by so many promotion failures and Derby have shown a tendency to buckle at the business end of the season. This looks all too familiar. For all his experience as a player, Lampard is another rookie manager thrown in at the deep end.

Key player Harry Wilson

Promotion odds 9-1

Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard has faced his first crisis at Derby Credit: getty images

Aston Villa

Form WDLLD

Remaining fixtures Birmingham (A); Nottingham Forest (A); Middlesbrough (H); Blackburn (H); Sheffield Wednesday (A); Rotherham (A); Bristol City (H); Bolton (A); Millwall (H); Leeds (A); Norwich (H)

How has the manager performed?

Dean Smith was lured away from Brentford to take charge of the team he supported as a boy, but the Villa job was always going to be a big step up for the former lower-league defender. Although Villa supporters were delighted to see the back of Steve Bruce, results have not improved under his replacement.

Strengths

Villa boast players who should be too good for the Championship and they are, along with Leeds, the biggest club in the division. The way they thrashed Derby last weekend shows there is plenty of talent in the squad and they are capable of beating anyone on their day. Could put a long winning run together.

Weaknesses

Hopelessly inconsistent, they have not made the most of the talent available and the pressure of playing in front of supporters who are used to Premier League football can be a burden. Villa lost to Fulham in the play-off final at Wembley last May and appear to have gone backwards. Will take a stunning end to the season to make the top six.

Key player Jack Grealish

Promotion odds 33-1

Nottingham Forest

Form LWDDW

Remaining fixtures Hull (H); Aston Villa (H); Ipswich Town (A); Swansea (H); Rotherham (H); Sheffield Wednesday (A); Blackburn (H); Sheffield United (A); Middlesbrough (H); QPR (A); Bolton (H)

How has the manager performed?

Even though he is the most successful UK-born manager in terms of trophies won still working, Martin O’Neill was not a universally popular choice to replace Aitor Karanka and, so far, he has merely kept Forest on the periphery of the promotion race.

Strengths

The management team of O’Neill and Roy Keane have rekindled memories of a golden era at the City Ground and although the team has limitations, their work with the Republic of Ireland proves they are capable of delivering results that exceed the resources at their disposal.

Weaknesses

Forest have hovered around in mid-table all season and that is not deemed good enough by the owners, who forced Karanka out at the start of the year. They look like a functional team and little more, with others better equipped for promotion, regardless of who is in the dugout.

Key player Joe Lolley

Promotion odds 33-1

Martin O'Neill (left) and Roy Keane (right)
Martin O'Neill (left) and Roy Keane (right) have rekindled memories of a golden era at the City Ground Credit: getty images

Hull City

Form WWLDL

Remaining fixtures Nottingham Forest (A); Norwich (A); QPR (H); Ipswich Town (A); Reading (H); Wigan (H); Middlesbrough (A); West Brom (A); Sheffield United (H); Swansea (A); Bristol City (H)

How has the manager performed?

Perhaps the most unexpectedly impressive performance of any manager in the second tier, Nigel Adkins has steered Hull away from a relegation battle to the edge of the promotion race. Given the financial situation at the club, he has delivered a minor miracle.

Strengths

Are one of the form teams in the division, losing just four out of their last 18 games in all competitions. Face Nottingham Forest at the weekend and the winners will gain huge momentum. The losers are likely to drift out of contention.

Weaknesses

May well have peaked too early and their struggles at the start of the campaign exposed their limitations. Have a far weaker goal difference than the other teams in the top 10 which could be crucial when things are so congested.

Key player Jarrod Bowen

Promotion odds 50-1

Hull City in action against Birmingham
Hull City in action against Birmingham Credit: getty images

Birmingham City

Form LWDLW

Remaining fixtures Aston Villa (H); Millwall (H); Preston (A); West Brom (A); Leeds (H); Sheffield United (H); Ipswich (A); Derby (H); Rotherham (A); Wigan (H); Reading (A)

How has the manager performed?

Garry Monk has successfully rebuilt his reputation at Birmingham after he was sacked by Middlesbrough after just six months. Is hampered by financial restrictions at St Andrews but has taken an unfancied side and given them hope of a return to the top flight.

Strengths

There is always a team that makes a late push for the play-offs and Birmingham have been on the shoulder of the top six for months without breaking into the leading group. Have a clear style of play and continue to surprise people.

Weaknesses

Have a tiny squad compared to others competing for promotion and have only won six home games, with eight draws. If they are going to bridge the six-point gap to the play-offs, they must win their home games.

Key player Che Adams

Promotion odds 40-1

Garry Monk
Garry Monk (left) has given Birmingham fans hope of a return to the top flight Credit: pa

Luke Edwards' top-six prediction

1. Norwich City

2. Leeds United

3. West Bromwich Albion

4. Sheffield United

5. Middlesbrough

6. Derby County

Additional research by Hannah Smith

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