Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United continued on their quest for the Premier League yesterday with a battling 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers and it ensured the Whites remained as favourites to claim the Championship crown at the end of the season.
Around a 5/2 shot for the title ahead of Saturday's matches, Leeds are now as short as 15/8 to land the second tier title and having notched up four wins on the bounce then Bielsa's side can head into a busy festive schedule on a back of a run of positive results.
However, they were unable to return to the top of the table as Norwich City claimed a late 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers with Teemu Pukki's 93rd minute winner handing Daniel Farke's side their fifth win on the bounce and they remained one point clear of Leeds.
Hovering around the 3/1 mark for Championship glory, Norwich have the second worst defensive record of the current top-six, so Farke will want to iron out those defensive errors, but they are six points clear of third-placed Sheffield United with Leeds five clear of their Yorkshire rivals, so it's no surprise to see that the Canaries and the Whites at the head of the betting.
The Blades struck two late goals to beat Reading 2-0 last night and they are 8/1, while Derby County picked up their third win in four matches (beat Wigan 1-0) and Frank Lampard's side are a best-priced 12/1 to claim the Championship title.
However, while all eyes are on Leeds and Norwich at the top of the table there's no denying that West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa have the squads that can claw them into the promotion race. Back-to-back draws has just halted the Baggies momentum, but Darren Moore's free-scoring side are sure to steamroller some sides in the second half of the season and the 8/1 about them winning the title is more than generous.
Villa's progression under Dean Smith is simply stunning and they are beginning to find top gear with Tammy Abraham spearheading a stunning attacking line, and while they are 11 points behind Norwich City at the moment, Smith's side can easily bridge that gap, if they can build on a run of three wins and two draws and at 12/1 they certainly can't be written off in what is shaping up into an epic race for the Premier League.
@NorwichCityFC's last gasp winner keeps them 🔝
@LUFC keep the pressure 🔛
1️⃣ point separates @SUFC_tweets in 3rd and @Boro in 6th 👀
This league just keeps giving! 🤯
How is your team going so far?
