With only two games remaining in the regular Championship campaign there are still plenty of matters to be resolved with regards to the battle for automatic promotion and scrap to seal a place in the end-of-season play-offs (npower Championship promotion 2010-11).
Only Neil Warnock’s QPR side seem to be assured of a place in the Premier League next season, although they were forced to put the champagne on ice after Norwich’s 96th minute winner against Derby on Easter Monday.
However, with a far superior goal difference and just one point required from their final two matches, the Hoops are finally set to seal their place at the top table of English football and can then focus on wrapping up the Championship title.
The battle to join them, as always, has turned out to be a nerve-jangling, goal-filled affair which has maintained the Championship as one of the most entertaining leagues in world football.
Norwich City
Paul Lambert’s Canaries (1/2 Promotion) are in the box-seat to join QPR in the Premier League automatically as they know wins in their final two games against sides which have nothing to play for – Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Monday and at home to Coventry on May 7 – will see them clinch back-to-back promotions.
Norwich also appear to have hit form at the right time since a 3-0 defeat at Swansea on April 9 by going four matches unbeaten, including three successive wins in which they have scored 10 goals.
Cardiff City
Dave Jones’ Bluebirds (10/11 Promotion) are now the only side who can realistically take second place as fourth-placed South Wales rivals Swansea must win their final two matches and hope both Norwich and Cardiff lose.
They sit a point behind Norwich with two games remaining – against mid-table Middlesbrough at home on Monday and a tough trip to play-off chasing Burnley on the final day.
However, as far as momentum is concerned, Cardiff have the edge as they have not lost since a 1-0 reverse at Crystal Palace on March 8 with five wins and three draws in the bag since.
The fight to secure the final play-off place is also bubbling along nicely as Cardiff or Norwich, Swansea (13/5 Promotion) and Reading (9/4 Promotion) will be joined by Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Millwall or Burnley and even Hull in 10th spot have an outside chance.
Nottingham Forest
Billy Davies’ side (9/2 Promotion) looked certain for an automatic promotion spot at one stage, before embarking on a disastrous run which saw them slip out of the top-six.
However, they seem to have found some form at the right time to take back the final play-off spot with a two-point cushion thanks to three wins in their last four games, including successive 3-2 victories.
A City Ground date against a Scunthorpe side that is virtually relegated and a trip to a Crystal Palace side that is virtually safe from the drop should also boost Forest’s hopes.
Millwall
Kenny Jackett’s seventh-placed side (9/1 Promotion) are the dark horses in the race for a play-off place as they have ‘done a Blackpool’ by storming from nowhere to become real contenders thanks to six wins and only one defeat in their last nine league games.
They welcome Swansea to the intimidating Den before travelling to face a mid-table Barnsley side that could well have the deck chairs out on the final day.
Plus, if the Lions do roar into the play-offs, the fact they came up from League One by the same route last season will no doubt stand them in good stead.
Burnley
Eddie Howe has impressed since taking over the Clarets (9/1 Promotion) from Brian Laws earlier in the season as he has reversed their flagging fortunes to put them back into the play-off picture.
They sit in eighth spot, level on 67 points with Millwall, following a run of three wins and a draw from their previous four matches which ended a damaging run of four straight defeats.
However, they face a much tougher run-in with a trip to play-off chasing rivals Leeds before a visit of promotion-chasing Cardiff which will not help their cause.
Leeds United
Simon Grayson’s Whites (12/1 Promotion) looked certainties for the play-offs but they have pressed the self-destruct button in recent games. Just one win in eight games has left them in ninth spot and three points off Forest in sixth spot.
Therefore they need to win their final two matches – against Burnley one place above them at Elland Road and at champions-elect QPR on the final day – and hope their rivals slip-up.
It looks a tall order and it seems that Leeds will still be in the Championship next season.
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With most teams in the Championship having just 10 games to go before the end of the season, who will win the race for promotion and be playing Premier League football next season?