Championship football returns this weekend following the international break and there is still plenty to be decided at both ends of the table.
The fight between Norwich City, Sheffield United and Leeds United rumbles on, with two of the trio looking to secure automatic promotion, while beneath them there is a real scrap taking place for a play-off spot.
At the opposite end of the standings, Birmingham City’s nine-point deduction has thrown another name into the ring in the relegation fight, which includes four sides separated by just three points with eight games to play.
As we enter the business end of the season, we’re approaching the stage where certain spots can be clinched and that is the case this weekend. Here, we’ve identified exactly what could be secured in the Championship this weekend.
Only Marcelo Bielsa could turn a question about Jack Clarke into a Louis van Gaal tribute
Title race
Norwich City enjoy a four-point lead over Sheffield United and a five-point advantage over the Whites, with a dream scenario for the Canaries seeing them extend that margin if their two title rivals slip. However, it is still too early to secure the title.
Daniel Farke’s side can at least clinch a top-six spot with a win, but they would also need either Aston Villa or Preston North End not to win.
Leeds and Sheffield United remain separated by a point, while West Bromwich Albion would move three points behind Marcelo Bielsa’s side if they beat Birmingham City on Friday evening.
Play-off spot
West Brom remain in a strong position in fourth and are likely to guarantee themselves a play-off spot in the coming weeks. Beneath them though, a real scrap is developing for two spots as fifth-placed Middlesbrough are separated by just four points from 11th-placed Nottingham Forest.
With everything so tight, only the aforementioned Norwich can guarantee a play-off position this weekend.
Relegation
Steve Morison rates Leeds United's promotion chances
Ipswich Town could end the weekend 16 points adrift of safety, but that would not quite be enough to relegate them. Although it would leave the Tractor Boys on the brink of League One football next season.
Plenty of twists and turns could occur this weekend, with just three points separating 19th-placed Wigan Athletic with Rotherham United, the side which currently occupy the final relegation spot.
