Rich man’s world: The Championship play-offs are back

It’s often said theChampionship is one of the most competitive leagues in world football. And thisyear is proving no different with the game’s most lucrative fixture just aroundthe corner.

Norwich City and Sheffield United have confirmed their automaticspots in the Premier League for next season.

So it’s left to the play-offs to offer the ecstasy and heartbreak,with just one place left up for grabs going into the final week of the regularseason.

That being said, we run through the play-off contenders andhow they could fare going into the end of season showpiece.

Leeds United

Form

The Whites will be ruing a run of three matches without awin – but will this make them more dangerous?

An away game against already relegated Ipswich Town presentsa chance to consolidate third-place as Marcelo Bielsa prepares his side for thepost-season.

Odds

If Leeds do avoid defeat to the Tractor Boys then it’slooking likely it’ll be Derby County or Middlesbrough in the semi-final.

They didn’t lose against either side this season which willsee them favourites to reach Wembley.

We go 7/4 they come out on top at the national stadium and return to the Prem for the first time in fourteen years.

West Bromwich Albion

Form

The Baggies have been steady all season and will likelyfinish the campaign in a solid fourth place.

Jimmy Shan’s men have won three and drawn one in their lastfour games, but face a huge tie against Derby on the final day.

The Rams may well have to win to make the play-offs, butWest Brom won’t want to surrender their momentum either.

Odds

If all goes to plan they will likely play their cross-cityrivals Aston Villa in the semi-final.

It’ll be a feisty pair of matches with everything on the line. We have the Baggies at 3/1 third favourites for promotion but with the league’s most potent strike force – anything is possible.

Aston Villa

Form

Aston Villa are comfortably the form side going into theplay-off campaign. Dean Smith’s side have come from nowhere and put together atwelve match unbeaten record – including a club record ten-game winning streak.

The Villans host a Norwich City side hoping to wrap up thetitle at the weekend – but the home side may have one eye on the play-offsalready.

Odds

Villa are 2/1 to seal a return to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.

Jack Grealish has been instrumental to their upturn in form –but will the heartbreak of play-off final loss last season still weigh heavy ontheir shoulders?

Derby County

Form

Derby have shaken off their February slump to go unbeaten intheir last four games. Frank Lampard’s boys have an extra game to play comparedto their rivals.

They go to Swansea City on Wednesday knowing a win will allbut secure a top six berth.

If they lose, it will be all in on their home tie againstWest Brom on the last day with Boro ready to pounce on any slip up.

Odds

If the Rams to wrap up sixth-place, then they look set tomeet Leeds in the two-legged knock-out.

You can get Derby at 7/1 to go all the way and win at Wembley – but can Lampard’s young side keep their heads when the pressure is on?

Middlesbrough

Form

Boro have woken up after losing six-matches on the spin inthe last two months. Tony Pulis’ men have gone on a four game winning run andend the season with a game away to Rotherham next Sunday.

Although locked on the same points, Boro currently trailDerby by five goals – so we could see a cricket score against the alreadyrelegated Millers if there’s still something to play for.

Odds

Outsiders at 20/1, Pulis know his days may well be numbered whether or not his team bag the final play-off position.

Boro looked nailed on for much of the season, but will theirsalvage job be too little too late?

Bristol City have squeak of the top-six, but at 80/1 to win promotion – they require both Derby and Boro to lose their remaining games.

Stranger things have happened though…

View the latest Championship odds here.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication