The Championship season is drawing to its conclusion and there are still plenty of sides in with a chance of reaching the promised land of the Premier League next term. With automatic promotion places and play-off spots still up for grabs it is time to have a look at who might make a move this weekend.

Norwich City v Nottingham Forest (Friday)

Norwich are one of four sides left fighting it out for the second automatic promotion place but, although they are still third in the standings, they have dropped valuable points in recent weeks with just one win in their last four outings. That was a 6-0 thrashing of Scunthorpe but two draws and defeat to Swansea has seen the chasing pack close.

Canaries striker Grant Holt is rated as just 50-50 while midfielder Wes Hoolahan may return from injury against a Forest side’s whose recent form is more akin to a relegation-threatened side that to one chasing promotion. One win in ten has left them outside the play-off picture at present but they did beat Burnley in mid week to stop the rot. That will have given them belief that they can turn things around but, with Norwich still very much looking for automatic promotion, they might find this one a different proposition.

Odds: Norwich 10/11 to win
Value bet: Norwich to win 2-0 (7/1)

Cardiff v Portsmouth

The Bluebirds have their destiny in their own hands – win all their remaining games and they will be in the top flight next season. It sounds a long shot but they have won their last three matches and are a point clear of Norwich in second place and 10 behind league-leading QPR. Teams that peak at the business end of the season usually do well and they will look to keep up the momentum against a Pompey side who are comfortably in mid-table and have little to play for. Loan signing Jay Emmanuel-Thomas bagged his second goal for the club as they beat Sheffield United in mid-week and Craig Bellamy was also on target and they will surely have too much for a Portsmouth side on cruise control.

Odds: Cardiff 4/6 to win
Value bet: Cardiff to lead at half-time and win match (13/8)

Burnley v Swansea

Swansea lost ground on their Welsh rivals when drawing in mid-week but they will look to bounce back to winning ways with another game against a side nestled in mid-division. The Swans enjoyed an excellent February but have hit the buffers of late and will want to get back on track with just five games to go. Boss Brendan Rodgers believes his charges are still playing decent football but are wasting too many chances and they were guilty of that again earlier this week.

With games running out Swansea must take all three points from this one. The Clarets have not won in six matches and have lost their last four and, despite having home advantage, look set to extend that unwelcome record this weekend.

Odds: Swansea 17/10 to win
Value bet: Swansea to win 2-1 (9/1)

Reading v Leicester

Reading are nine points better off than the Foxes but both clubs have a lot to play for over the remainder of the season with the Royals still very much in the hunt for automatic promotion and Leicester just four places off a play-off berth. But Brian McDermott’s men are sweeping all before them in the league at present with seven straight wins and they are the in-form team in the division.

Leicester have taken eight points from a possible 15 and have blown hot and cold of late but manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has made it clear that he believes the play-offs are still achievable and they are tipped to get a point and halt to Reading juggernaut on Saturday.

Odds: Draw 12/5
Value bet 1-1 11/2

Leeds v Watford

Leeds’ form has dipped at just the wrong time and they are hanging on to the last play-off place by their skin of their teeth. Just one win in five has left the Yorkshire outfit looking over their shoulders and they have lost their last two. But they are a solid unit at home and face a Watford side whose play-off hopes are all but over. They are not in great form and Leeds’ eagerness to return to the Premier league will surely see them through this one.

Odds: Leeds 3/4 to win
Value bet: Leeds to win 3-0 12/1.

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