Latest Championship Odds: Everything Changing as Five Challenge for Playoffs

We've said it far too many times already this season, but the Championship has once again proved that it is one of the best leagues in the world, at least on competitiveness, this week.

There is too much action to discuss, so let's just get down to business.

Sheffield United Proving Race is Still On

The top three had separated a little in recent weeks, but that gap has been very much closed again with the latest set of results. Once again, there are just five points separating the teams and the title is certainly not decided yet.

Starting with Leeds, the Whites' draw against West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road is certainly a somewhat questionable result, especially when considering how dominant they have been at home in recent weeks.

Nevertheless, they still hold the top spot and have a three-point advantage over Sheffield United, which could be massive in the next few weeks. The Peacocks' class is obvious, but they must ensure that the odd slip-up is eliminated.

Moving on to the aforementioned Blades, they picked up three huge points on Saturday against QPR at Loftus Road, which has probably given a little more confidence to some around the club. Perhaps, only having two shots on target is not the greatest thing ever, but scoring twice from them certainly may add to confidence, especially with their two biggest goal threats being the scorers.

Very much a case of getting the job done, and Chris Wilder can only be pleased with that element.

Finally, we have Burnley, who are still playing catch-up. Their recent record is just as good as Leeds' is at the top, but they are five points away.

A lot of what can be said about Sheffield United's win against QPR can be repeated here, but again, it is a case of just holding out for a result in a difficult place and the Clarets did that.

We're certainly in for a good ending to the season at the top of the division, that much is for sure.

Playoffs Impossible to Call

Few things in life are impossible, so calling the playoffs is gonna be easy... Right? Well, you could not be any more wrong, and I'd go as far as to say it is near-impossible. There are six promotion spots available for teams in the second tier, and four of those are the playoff spots.

Three teams are fighting for the top two places, and then SEVEN are competing for the places below. In other words, it cannot be called.

Let's start with Sunderland, who were formerly in a discussion about the top three, and perhaps even getting involved in the title battle, but back-to-back losses killed off chances of that, but they are sitting very nicely in the top six, with 65 points - 13 points clear of seventh - after their win this weekend.

Following them is Coventry, whom I picked out a few weeks ago for a playoff spot at 6/1. Frank Lampard's side have been superb in recent weeks, winning their past four on the bounce and adding a 3-2 win against Oxford to that list at the weekend.

From the Sky Blues downward, and including them, it is an absolute cluster of everything. Coventry have 53 points, then you have sixth, seventh and eighth on 52 points, ninth on 50 and 10th on 49, and we can keep going.

The gaps are so marginal.

West Brom currently sit in the last playoff spot after their draw against Leeds United, which is a superb result for the Baggies, you have to say. However, their inability to put together a string of results may be a little worrying.

Bristol City, on the other hand, are very much able to do so and won their third game in the last five last night away to Millwall, who are not written out of the playoffs contest just yet - yes, 12th-placed Millwall still have a chance, this league is phenomenal.

Middlesbrough sit in ninth, and I must admit that I feel they are probably in the best position below Bristol City to form a playoff surge, so there could be some value available there.

Depressing at the Bottom

Things are still quite tight at the bottom of the division, but things are certainly not as bad. For example, the gap between sixth and 14th is the same gap as 17th and 22nd. Not massively tight, but you'd definitely be feeling a little worried if you are in that lower mid-table bracket.

At present, we have a new team at the bottom, as Derby County lost their third successive game, this time against Middlesbrough. Considering John Eustace left a play-off-contending Blackburn Rovers side, and now has failed to win a game with the Rams, it is a decision which can only be questioned more as time goes on.

Plymouth also lost against Hull City on Tuesday night, which could have a huge consequence on their own season. After playing well against Manchester City at the weekend, they returned to Championship action with a loss against a relegation rival, definitely not an ideal situation at all.

Luton, then, finally won a game this weekend, doing so against Portsmouth, though only by a one-goal margin. It is not huge in that aspect, but it is a start, and coming against another struggler makes it very important. Maybe, this is the start to Matt Bloomfield's great escape mission.

Cardiff and Stoke still are glaringly obvious contenders for the drop, and with just two wins in their last 10 games combined (one each), it does not paint a pretty picture. A five-point gap currently separates them from the drop, and it is in real danger of closing.

Oxford United also stick out a little as a worry for me, but a seven-point gap is probably going to be enough for now.