It could not be much tighter in the race for promotion and the battle for survival in the Championship and Tuesday night throws up a full list of fixtures with some intriguing games (totesport – Championship outright and match markets).
Sheffield United would not have dreamed that they would be rock bottom of the table after 40 games this season given that they were tipped to push for a return back to the Premier League.
However, they find themselves seven points off safety and will be desperate for all three points when they face Cardiff City at Bramall Lane on Tuesday (Sheffield Utd, 12/5, draw 23/10, Cardiff 21/20 – match prices).
The South Yorkshire club were unlucky not to get a point against Middlesbrough last weekend when they lost 2-1 with Marvin Emnes scoring with a late goal to deny the home side a point.
It’s difficult to see the Blades getting out of this one but if they are to pull off a miracle escape they will have to start with a win against Cardiff.
The Bluebirds have started to find their form again after suffering a blip with a run of four games without a win.
However, victories over Derby and Doncaster have got City firing at the right time and they are looking strong, with just a point between themselves and the automatic places.
It’s hard to see the Blades picking up the three points but with the Red and Whites battling for their lives they might just bag a point against an impressive Cardiff side.
In a game that throws up a similar scenario Scunthorpe United take on Reading at Glanford Park (Scunthorpe 16/5, draw 11/4, Reading 8/11 – match prices).
The Iron are five points off safety thanks to one of the shock results of the weekend as they beat top-of-the-table QPR 4-1 on Saturday.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Scunthorpe fans in recent weeks, as they were thrashed 6-0 by Norwich City in their previous outing.
Reading have been the big movers in recent weeks and currently sit in fifth place in the table thanks to six straight wins on the bounce.
The Royals came through a thrilling encounter against Nottingham Forest in the pick of the weekend’s games with a 4-3 victory at the City Ground.
Once again it’s hard to see Scunthorpe winning against Reading on Tuesday and this time the visitors look too good at the moment not to pick up all three points and strengthen their play-off position.
Forest will be looking to get their season back on track when they take on Burnley at the City Ground on Tuesday (Forest 20/21, draw 23/10, Burnley 11/4 – match prices).
Billy Davies and his men have had a torrid time in recent weeks and have failed to win in their last nine Championship games.
Big defeats to play-off rivals Reading, Leeds United and Swansea have left their dreams of returning to the Premier League this season in the balance.
As for Burnley they too have gone off the boil at just the wrong time, as they are currently on a run of three straight defeats.
The 4-0 hammering by Leicester City won’t do the Burnley squad confidence any good but they must win this if they want any hope of being in the play-offs.
Forest have been slightly unlucky in recent weeks and their fortunes should turn and around with three points against the Clarets.
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