The Championship is renowned for being one of the most exciting leagues in the world. Its beautiful ‘anyone can beat anybody’ attitude is what makes it one of the most competitive leagues in football. Normally there have been a handful of teams whose sheer quality were too strong for the rest in the division but this year, there are only just two sides who seem destined to gain promotion to the Premier League.
Fulham and AFC Bournemouth’s quality in the Championship has been transparent all season and no side can come close to match their squad depth or ability. While the race for the automatic promotion spots seems to be already decided, the race for the four play-off spots is wide open and wildly unpredictable at this stage. With eight points separating third from ninth, we have decided to assess how this exciting race will finish come May.
The current occupants
Blackburn Rovers - 3rd
At one point the Lancashire club looked like they may have contested Bournemouth for that second automatic promotion spot but recent results and performances have brought Rovers down to earth, and with one win in their last five, it seems as though they are slowing down. After a dull 0-0 stalemate with fellow promotion chasers West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, in a game severely lacking in quality, Rovers’ star striker and top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz hobbled off injured. If he were to be out of action for a lengthy period of time, Tony Mowbray’s side may face a challenge to ensure a comfortable finish in the play-off places.
Their recent dip won’t come as much as a surprise as over the course of Mowbray’s tenure, his side have played exciting football and always looked to be a play-off hopeful but then inconsistent results after Christmas would effectively self-destruct their ambitions. However, with the division as weak as it is this year, the former Premier League champions will be hoping to capitalise and finish in the top six, as a minimum.
QPR - 4th
Mark Warburton’s side have had their moments this season and have the ability in their squad to finish in the top six. The signs were there after the second half of last season that they could mount a play-off charge and so far this term it is going well. However, like Rovers, they have also experienced a recent dip in form, something that held them back last season too. Similar to Rovers, QPR have just won one of their last five but they have lost their last two matches on the bounce and Warburton will be hoping that the inconsistent mentality does not come creeping back in when several other clubs are looking to force their way into the play-off places.
QPR do have a nicely-balanced squad and their standout player has been midfielder Ilias Chair, who on his day, can be impossible to play against. Chris Willock has also been one of the shining stars for Rangers and his goal contributions could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Huddersfield Town - 5th
It has to be said that the Terriers have been one of the surprise packages this year and it is full credit to the work boss Carlos Corberan has done since he took charge last season. While at the time of his arrival it seemed to be a huge gamble in appointing him directly from Leeds United’s U23s, that decision has already proven to have paid off. He has built such an impressive, well-drilled squad in a short space of time and with some flair and creativity added through Sorba Thomas, the Terriers are in a strong position to battle it out and make a second appearance in the top-flight.
They may just have two wins from their last five, but they are unbeaten in that run of games which is much better than the two sides above them.
Middlesbrough - 6th
Many would have expected Boro to be in the play-off picture before a ball was kicked, and with Neil Warnock’s experience in this division it was somewhat surprising that they had a poor start to the season. However, since he was replaced by Chris Wilder, the team has been rejuvenated and look like the force that they were expected to be. With three wins from their last five, they are one of the most in-form sides of the play-off hopefuls and Wilder’s success with Sheffield United three years ago will give Boro an edge in the final run-in - not to mention they have games in hand on teams above them. They look like play-off certainties if they keep up this imperious form.
What an assist from the Arsenal loanee on his full Championship debut for Middlesbrough! 🔥
The clubs waiting in the wings
Nottingham Forest - 7th
Another club who had a slow start to the season under the stewardship of Chris Hughton has been transformed under his talented successor Steve Cooper. Forest have had a meteoric rise in recent months and look like one of the sides who could pounce on the continuing mistakes of the sides currently occupying the play-off spots. They have one of English football’s brightest young prospects shining for them consistently in Brennan Johnson and managing to keep hold of him amid January interest from Brentford was crucial, but they also possess a strong squad mixed with experience, flair and grit which is what is a winning formula in the Championship.
With three wins from their last five, clubs like Blackburn and QPR will be looking over their shoulders if their own results don’t pick up soon.
Sheffield United - 8th
Perhaps surprisingly, Paul Heckingbottom has had a strong impact at Bramall Lane since he replaced Slavisa Jokanovic and his side have only been bettered by league leaders Fulham in the form table over the last five results. The Blades have won three and drawn two and stalwart striker and Championship legend Billy Sharp is continuing to find the back of the net. They may have drawn their last two but they still have games in hand on the sides above them which could prove to work to their advantage given the form they are in. The Blades are one of the teams in the division that you wouldn’t want to face right now.
West Bromwich Albion - 9th
Steve Bruce may boast the most promotions from the second tier but he has a job cut out for him to achieve a fifth this term. After a dismal campaign under the leadership of Valerien Ismael, the Baggies are in a much weaker position to reach the play-offs and promotion than they were at the beginning of the season. They have won just one of their last five fixtures and their dull draw with Blackburn last time out did not improve their chances of finishing inside the top six. A questionable managerial appointment in Ismael has cost them dearly and they will likely have to cut their losses with the 2021-22 campaign and start thinking ahead to next year with a clear plan in place for the summer.
Don’t rule out
There are a handful of sides who could still enter the fray in the last few months of the season with Luton Town, Preston North End, Coventry City, Stoke City and Millwall not too far away from sixth, with Millwall the furthest away by six points - which in this delightful division is nothing. All these sides have shown promise this year to remain in the picture and if there were to be any hiccups, any one of them could swoop and be one of the surprise packages that finishes in the top six - just look at Barnsley last year.
