The race for a place in the Barclays’ Premier League is well and truly on.
With the season now entering its final few stages, around a dozen teams will believe they are in with a shout for promotion. It looks like the top two will come from three teams, while the teams who will end up in the play-off positions are far less certain.
Southampton currently lead the way on 78 points, five clear of second-placed Reading. Nigel Adkin’s side have not looked back since promotion from League One in the last campaign, with Rickie Lambert once again leading the line in style, with 28 goals to his name for this season. Premier League football in August now looks a near on certainty for the Saints.
Reading recently went on an eight-match winning streak which helped propel them up the table. The Royals are desperate to make amends for last season’s heartache when they lost the play-off final to Swansea City at Wembley. And Brian McDermott’s team have hit form at just the right time as they look to go that one step further. The title looks beyond their reach, but it’s a straight fight with West Ham for second place.
West Ham United lie currently in third place, four points and a game in hand over Reading. The Hammers have drawn their last five games, so no one can say they haven’t had the opportunities. There have been rumours of discontent among the fans over Sam Allardyce’s style of football at Upton Park and this negative atmosphere is arguably transmitting itself onto the players. Despite this, second place is still well within reach with 24 points still to play for.
Brighton and Hove Albion are the surprise package of this season’s Championship. Lying in 4th position on 62 points, a realistic objective following last year’s title win would have been a mid-table finish at best. But the charismatic Gus Poyet has done wonders at the new Amex Stadium. One defeat in the last 10 puts the team in a great position for a play-off place, but any kind of slip could see them drop out of the top-six. It could be just a little too far for this season.
Middlesbrough occupy fifth place on 61 points, just one behind Brighton. Patchy form of late has seen Tony Mowbray’s side slip down and become far less of a certainty for a play-off place. Just seven wins at the Riverside is where the side have fallen short and a lack of goals is also an issue. Mowbray will ensure his side fight until the very end, which is why they could well scrape over the line come the end of the season.
Birmingham City currently hold down the fourth and final play-off spot. Chris Hughton’s side are on 60 points, level with both Blackpool and Cardiff. 11 victories and just one loss at St Andrew’s all season has helped propel the side up the division, as they look to bounce back from their final-day relegation last year. Having competed in the Europa League earlier in the season, fatigue could be a factor as the Blues look to overcome the final few hurdles. One win in their last seven would suggest this, so a solid promotion push for next year could well be the more likely option.
Blackpool and Cardiff City lie in 7th and 8th position respectively. Both sides have lots of experience in the top half of the Championship, and this will be key in these final stages. On recent history, Cardiff will finish in the top six and fail, and (sorry Bluebirds fans), this is probably going to happen again. There is no doubting the quality of Malky Mackay’s side, so they are not to be completely ruled out, but poor recent form could see them fall short. Ian Holloway’s Blackpool are, like Birmingham, desperate for an immediate return to the top flight. Three defeats in their last five suggests they might struggle, but experience could see them finish in the top six.
Hull City will also feel they are still in line for a play-off finish, while Neil Warnock will insist his Leeds United side doesn’t fall short. His recent arrival may be a case of too little too late though.
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