State of play going into the final two months in the Championship
Despite the unpredictable nature of the league, here Flashscore have laid out the current state of play from the promotion and playoff candidates, those battling relegation and the key individual performers both on the pitch and in the dugout.
The top two
Although not mathematically guaranteed, Burnley are all-but promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking after a brilliant season under Vincent Kompany.
The Clarets are unrecognisable from the long-ball 4-4-2 style that fans became so familiar with during their time in the Premier League, and their new fluid attacking football could see them break the all-time points record in the second tier (106 set by Reading in 2005/06).
Kompany's side rank top for most goals scored and top for fewest conceded, only losing two league fixtures all season with their last defeat coming against Sheffield United in November.
The Blades are the next closest team, currently sat second in the league but only three points above the playoff places.
For a long time it looked like both Sheffield United and Burnley would pull away from the chasing pack but a poor run of form resulted in the former getting dragged into a promotion battle.
Middlesbrough are the other real contenders to go up through the automatic promotion spots - sitting just three points behind in third, although they have played a game more than the Blades in second.
Michael Carrick has guided the Teesiders up the league table and made a name for himself as one of the most promising young managers in the country as a result, although they will need Sheffield United to slip up again if they want to catch them.
The playoffs
As ever, the Championship playoff race is almost impossible to predict.
Any team from the current four already occupying the playoff places (Middlesbrough, Luton Town, Blackburn Rovers and Millwall) down to Preston in 12th place have a chance of battling it out for the third promotion spot come the remaining weeks of the season.
Working upwards from 12th, both Preston and Sunderland would need to make up a seven point gap from their remaining eight games - with the Black Cats better poised due to their +7 goal difference compared to Preston's -9.
Despite this it seems unlikely that either would be able to push on with both clubs on a less-than-desirable run of form.
Going into the top ten, Watford and West Brom sit five points outside of the top six and could mount a late charge.
West Brom also have a game in hand, which would move them within two points of the playoffs if they were to win.
Eight placed Coventry and seventh placed Norwich are in the best position out of the chasing pack, just three points behind Millwall in sixth and both with a superior goal difference.
Of the sides currently in the top six, Luton and Middlesbrough seem unlikely to drop out while Blackburn also should hold on to their spot having only lost once in their last 13 games.
Millwall will be feeling the most pressure, still having to play West Brom, Luton, Preston and Blackburn in their remaining fixtures.
The relegation battle
After a recent points deduction for failing to pay their players on time, Wigan seem destined to return to League One and sit bottom of the league with just 31 points.
Blackpool aren't too much further ahead in 23rd, with a total of 35 points, while Huddersfield take up the remaining spot in the bottom three with 36 points.
The two nearest clubs to the drop zone are Cardiff and Rotherham but both have a game in hand on those below them.
Interestingly, that game in hand is against each other, which could have a big impact on who gets dragged into the relegation fight.
Of the clubs lingering above, only QPR look to be in real danger after a terrible run of just two wins in 22 games.
Barring anything catastrophic, the likes of Reading, Birmingham and Swansea have likely done enough the ensure another season in England's second tier.
Top scorers
Middlesbrough's Chuba Akpom comfortably leads the scoring charts with 24 goals, with Coventry's Viktor Gyokeres in second with 18.
Burnley's Nathan Tella (on loan from Southampton) follows with 17, then Luton's Carlton Morris (16) and Tom Bradshaw of Millwall (14).
Gyokeres is also second in the assist charts with eight, behind Middlesbrough's Ryan Giles who has set up 11 goals (on loan from Wolves).
Top managers
Kompany looks set to win the manager of the season award, but praise is also due for the likes of Carrick, Paul Heckingbottom (Sheffield United) and Jon Dahl Tomasson (Blackburn Rovers).
