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Chronicle Live

Sport

Stuart Jamieson

Championship play-off race week by week as Sunderland jostle for top six spot

Sunderland West Brom Blackburn (Organization) Watford Norwich Preston Sheffield United Swansea (Organization) Blackpool Millwall

Incredibly, the Championship play-off race has come down to a thrilling shoot-out between NINE teams all vying for what looks like being the final two places - and Sunderland are right in the mix.

Middlesbrough and Luton Town appear to have third and fourth place sewn up, and with Burnley promoted and Sheffield United on the verge of joining them in the Premier League next season, that leaves just fifth and sixth place up for grabs. What makes this year's battle all the more exciting is that the race extends all the way down to Swansea City in 13th, with just six points covering nine clubs.

Tony Mowbray and Sunderland know that three wins from their final three Championship games could well seal a play-off spot - although nothing is guaranteed in what has been a remarkable season so far. That the Black Cats are battling for a place in the end-of-season showdown at all is impressive given their promotion from League One less than 12 months ago, but they are very much in the hunt.

Given the nature of the division this season, making predictions is a fool's game, but we've assessed the run-in for each of the sides involved - with a full rundown of the battle, fixture by fixture to give an indication of how it could play out.

5 Millwall

Points: 65. Played: 43. Goal difference: +8

Fixures: Wigan (a), Blackpool (a), Blackburn (h)

The Lions have maintained their challenge when many thought they would fade away, and will be confident of getting over the line with two games against the bottom two sides Wigan and Blackpool, albeit away from home. They will want to get maximum points to ensure their final-day scrap with rivals Blackburn is not crucial - but don't rule out any shocks with the basement battlers scrapping for survival.

6 Blackburn

Points: 64. Played: 42. GD: -2

Fixtures: Preston (a), Burnley (h), Luton (h), Millwall (a)

One of two clubs in the mix with four games left to play, three of Blackburn's fixtures are against sides in the play-off battle . . . and the other is against table-toppers Burnley. You may think Vincent Kompany's side may take the foot off the gas now they're up - but that's not going to happen in the Lancashire derby with Rovers.

7 West Brom

Points: 63. Played: 42. GD: +9

Fixtures: Sunderland (h), Sheffield United (a), Norwich (h), Swansea (a)

The other side with four to play - but again it's all against sides with plenty to play for. Sunday's game with Sunderland already looks decisive, while Sheffield United need to get over the promotion line at Bramall Lane next week. The Baggies could put themselves in an excellent position with two big wins - but they might need to with difficult games to come.

8 Coventry

Points: 63. Played: 43. GD: +9

Fixtures: Reading (h), Birmingham (h), Middlesbrough (a)

Mark Robins' side have overcome difficulties off the pitch to launch a remarkable promotion challenge, and they will be quietly confident of making the top six. They will be favourite to win their home games against Reading and Birmingham - and if Middlesbrough are already home and dry come the final day then they could even edge that Riverside encounter.

9 Sunderland

Points: 62. Played: 43. GD: +9

Fixtures: West Brom (a), Watford (h), Preston (a)

Few thought it would come to this, but Sunderland are in with a great shout of making the play-offs. Their home form has let them down somewhat in recent months, but with only unpredictable Watford to come to the Stadium of Light, Tony Mowbray will hope his side's strong away form can get them something at West Brom on Sunday. And if they have to go to Preston and win on the final day, then few on Wearside would back against it.

10 Norwich

Points: 62. Played: 43. GD: +8

Fixtures: Swansea (h), West Brom (a), Blackpool (h)

The Canaries were among the pre-season favourites to return to the top flight at the first time of asking, but it's not worked out for the Carrow Road side. If they can stay in the hunt in tricky games with Swansea and West Brom then they will surely be confident on the final weekend when a Blackpool side likely to be already relegated go to East Anglia.

11 Preston

Points: 62. Played: 43. GD: -8

Fixtures: Blackburn (h), Sheffield United (a), Sunderland (h)

Preston have doggedly stuck in the mix for most of the season, without ever really challenging in the top six, but it's still open for them. A poor goal difference could work against them, plus they have to face two play-off rivals in Blackburn and Sunderland and second-placed Sheffield United. It might be just beyond them, but if they'll certainly have earned their place if they get there.

12 Watford

Points: 59, Played: 43. GD: +2

Fixtures: Hull (a), Sunderland (a), Stoke City (h)

What to make of Watford? Fresh from losing 3-1 at home to relegation battlers Cardiff, the Hornets have yet to see any big 'new manager bounce' from Chris Wilder's arrival. Will facing two sides with little to play for in Hull and Stoke work in their favour? You feel they need to come away from the game at the Stadium of Light with something to stand any chance.

13 Swansea

Points: 59. Played: 43. GD: 0

Fixtures: Norwich (a), Hull (a), West Brom (h)

Swansea have marched into the picture, winning five of their last six games to give themselves a shot at a remarkable late push. They must go to rivals Norwich and end with a tough game at home to West Brom but on this form, they're a match for anyone. They might have left it too late, but anything can happen this season.