Entering the final stretch of the 2021-22 championship season, the battle for places in next year's Premier League is warming up.
With two months to go the table is as tight as ever and promotion looks like it will come down to the final games, notwithstanding the excitement of the championship playoffs.
Fulham
Fulham look certain to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking with a commanding lead on top of the table with a +58 goal difference, the next closest belongs to second-place Bournemouth on +25. This offensive dominance is in no small part to Aleksandar Mitrovic who currently has contributed 35 of Fulham's 90 goals scored, which is more on his own than the total goals scored for three championship clubs, Hull City, Barnsley and Peterborough. Their squad is the strongest in the league, their performances have been the most consistent and Fulham are packed with promotion experience from two previous playoff triumphs in recent memory.
Bournemouth
After last season's heart-breaking playoff semi-final defeat to Brentford, Bournemouth have the inside run for the second automatic playoff spot. According to fivethirtyeight's Soccer Power Index (SPI) model the Red Cherries have, as things stand, a 79% chance to be promoted. Under new manager Scott Parker, the strength in depth and quality of the squad has shone through. With the likes of Jefferson Lerma, David Brooks and Todd Cantwell having gained valuable Premier League experience already, they will return to the top flight as better players should Bournemouth continue on as expected. However with the progression that Dominic Solanke has made over the last couple of seasons to his all-around play, including a team leading 22 goals, his form will be critical to keeping Parker's team in the Premier League next season.
Luton Town
Luton's rise since the calamitous years of entering into administration on three occasions and suffering three consecutive relegations has been really spectacular. They have improved their standing year-on-year and currently sit comfortably in the middle of the playoff sandwich. According to fivethirtyeight they have a slight edge over the competition to win promotion via the playoffs at 21%, which is a testament to their performances this season as it's a surprise that they are in this position at all. Luton have employed a clear set of guiding principles that trickle down from manager Nathan Jones to the players, tactics, analysis and recruitment model. They've turned themselves into a well-run club and have as good a shot as any to win the ultimate prize, promotion to the Premier League.
Huddersfield
They may have recently suffered their first league loss since the start of the year, yet no team in the championship has picked up more points since the start of December. It has lifted Huddersfield into third place and only a few points behind Bournemouth in second place. This is a remarkable turnaround of expectations, as the spread betting odds had them as third favorites for relegation at the start of the season. For the remainder of the season Carlos Corberan's side don't have to cope with the pressure of increased expectation. A talented young squad, talent has been identified early on and developed over the past couple of seasons. The result is that Huddersfield are within a chance at a playoff place if not automatic promotion.
Middlesbrough / Sheffield United / Nottingham Forest
These three teams have been grouped together as according to the Soccer Power Index (SPI) their performances and probability to finish in the playoffs are eerily similar. The appointment of Chris Wilder in November looks to have been a turning point moment for Middlesbrough, turning them from mid-table mediocrity into serious playoff contenders.
Sheffield United field a squad that is mostly the same as the squad from two seasons ago in the Premier League. They have also been one of the form teams over the past three months which is critical if they are to rise to the top. With a squad that includes superb young talent such as Morgan Gibbs-White, Rhian Brewster and Sander Berge they have the firepower to take them back into the Premier League, however if they fail to win promotion, they will have a fight on their hands to to stop a summer of high profile exits.
The transformation for Nottingham Forest since Steve Cooper took over as manager in September has been impressive. With their last top flight campaign occurring all the way back in 1998-9 there is no doubting the pressure and desire to return to the top. With a collection of talent such as Brice Samba, Joe Worrall, Steve Cook, Scott McKenna, Lewis Grabban, Ryan Yates and Brennan Johnson they have the players to keep them up as long as they keep developing.
Blackburn Rovers
Tony Mowbray has managed to get Blackburn competing at the right end of the Championship this season, especially considering they were relegated to the third division 5 years ago. Key for Blackburn this season has been the form of Ben Brereton-Diaz, with 20 goals in 30 games firing them close to the automatic promotion places. Although it looks like a tall task to expect them to overtake Fulham and Bournemouth for a top-2 finish, the playoff places look well within reach.
QPR
QPR's form recently has been inconsistent as they have struggled to string back-to-back victories as they chase a playoff spot. Their defensive record hasn't been brilliant which could become problematic when their rivals lock-in on tactics to navigate the playoffs. It's been a much improved campaign from Mark Warburton's men and even if they fail to win promotion, the stakes aren't so high that a rebuild is in order.
