The business end of the 2024/25 Championship season has arrived and there’s still so much to fight for, especially in the race for play-off football.
Top two sides Leeds United and Burnley look in a very strong position to clinch automatic promotion as they have now stretched a five-point gap to nearest chasers Sheffield United, who have lost their last three matches.
Sunderland, effectively guaranteed to finish in fourth, will use the final fixtures to prepare for the play-offs, but it’s unclear who will join them in the three other qualification spots.
West Bromwich Albion had been in fifth and sixth for months but have now dropped down to seventh following a disappointing run. A narrow 2-1 win over Watford at the weekend has restored faith, though, with fifth-placed Bristol City and sixth-placed Coventry City now looking nervously over their shoulders.
Then there are Middlesbrough and Millwall, level on points with West Brom but behind on goal difference. All five teams will be confident they can secure the final play-off positions, but there’s only space for two. The fight could go down right to the wire.
Down the other end of the table, the relegated sides are yet to be decided. Plymouth Argyle remain at the foot of the standings but are now just three points adrift from safety following a huge 2-1 win over Sheffield United. Just like Plymouth, Luton Town are on 40 points. Cardiff City are in 22nd on 42 points, while Derby County (43), Hull City (44) and Portsmouth (46) are narrowly above the drop zone.
How could the final standings look, then? Well, with four games to go for most, there’s still time for some significant changes. The data experts at Opta Analyst have been crunching the numbers, offering their predictions for all 24 positions.
5. 21st: Derby County
Eustace left Blackburn to try and save Derby and it looks like he could do just that, albeit through the skin of his teeth. Expected points: 48.11, chance of relegation: 29.82%. | Getty Images
6. 20th: Hull City
Tipped as play-off contenders at the start of the season, Hull have had a season to forget. Opta reckons they won’t be relegated but it’s been a torrid few months. Expected points: 50.98, chance of relegation: 7.02%. | Getty Images
7. 19th: Portsmouth
Another newly-promoted club set to escape the immediate drop back down to League One, Pompey are so close to securing survival. Expected points: 51.07, chance of relegation: 4.78%. | Getty Images
8. 18th: Stoke City
The Potters had a scare a few weeks ago but have since lifted themselves out of immediate trouble with eight points out of the last 12 available. Expected points: 51.4, chance of relegation: 2.96%. | Getty Images