Latest Championship Odds: Leeds Now Forced to Chase Title

In recent months, it has been a case of catch Leeds if you can. Now, the Whites are the ones running the chase, as there is a new leader at the top of the Championship table.

Leeds Falter Massively

I said a few weeks ago that the title race would be between three teams, despite the bookmakers feeling that it was Leeds United's to lose, and the past fortnight has proven me right. No longer are we looking at a stand-alone, but rather a race.

For the first time, in what feels like forever, we are starting this Odds Watch with Sheffield United, who have been fantastic recently. The Blades strode to a 3-1 win against Coventry City on Friday night, and they are making a really good case for themselves as potential champions.

Considering they won the Steel City Derby recently too, morale is sky high in Sheffield, and Chris Wilder will know how to keep that the case.

Following behind is Leeds United, on 81 points. Now, a two-point gap certainly is not something to worry about for any Peacocks reading this, however, the fall-off is becoming a real concern for me.

Failing to beat a Swansea side who have underwhelmed this season is a problem in itself, but scoring a late winner seemingly, and then conceding with one of the final kicks of the game shows that there is a problem.

Since the game, and even before, in fairness, frustrations have been growing about the Whites' chances, and this weekend's game has meant their title hopes have taken a hit.

Finally, we have Burnley, who I feel have gone largely under the radar for a lot of the season. Nevertheless, they are very much still in the title picture.

Like a lot of the Clarets' games this season, a single goal was enough to see off play-off fighting Bristol City, and that is largely due to the phenomenal defensive record of Scott Parker's team. Perhaps, it can be argued that they are in the best position to build next season, but that is a different conversation entirely.

Two Points, Four Teams, Seven Games

We'll start with Sunderland before getting into the exciting stuff. After falling out of the title mix, the Mackems have found themselves in a bit of a purgatory. Now, they are quite far behind those in the title scene, yet miles ahead of their play-off challengers.

Like Burnley, the side earned a 1-0 win against Millwall at the Stadium of Light, and that keeps them in this position of dominance. You could argue that, in a way, their season is already kind of over, so it is a case of preparing for the play-offs.

Now that that's said and done, it is time to get on with the really exciting part of the division for me, and boy are things heating up.

Between Coventry in fifth and Bristol City in eighth, there are just two points, so the play-off picture certainly has a lot left to offer, and we'll start with the top of that pack - Coventry City.

I've been saying it for a while, but I don't think, barring Sunderland, there is any team that I am more confident in for a play-off place. Frank Lampard's work has been phenomenal since taking over, and despite losing to Sheffield United on Friday, I am not worried too much about their chances.

West Brom then start the batch of teams on 57 points. For around a month now, it has been a case of musical chairs for sixth place, and I can only see this continuing, however, it could have been so much different.

A late Josh Sargeant goal meant that the Baggies could not pick up any points at the weekend, so they are now right back in it.

Then, from nowhere, it feels like Middlesbrough have managed to pull themselves back into contention for a play-off spot. A well-fought comeback against Oxford means the Boro have now gotten four wins in their last six. However, their remaining fixtures look really difficult, which makes me think it could be too little too late.

Finally, we have Bristol City, who currently reside in eighth. Losing 1-0 to Burnley is not a bad thing by any means, and they are not now on a crash course for a drop-off as a result. Like Boro, though, their next few fixtures are make or break, especially with some other play-off rivals scheduled in.

Luton Emerging as One Escapes

In recent months, the bottom of the division has been quite ill-contested, with three teams looking a lot more likely than others to be relegated. However, this has changed in recent weeks, and we have seen the first reshuffle.

We start at the bottom of the division, where Plymouth Argyle are sat once again. After that little spell of impressive results, they have returned to being quite poor, and they must start putting together a run; otherwise, their fate seems quite obvious, if it is not already.

Sitting above them is Luton, but with three wins in their last five games, I don't think this will be the case much longer. Beating Hull away from home is a huge result for the Hatters, especially considering the Tigers are just three points away now.

Then, taking up the final relegation spot is Cardiff, which I think has been coming for some time. The Bluebirds have been quite poor this season, and they have been teetering on the edge of the relegation area. Now, they have fallen into it, and I am not that confident of their chances of getting out of it.

Hull sit a point outside the bottom three, but it is Derby who have the real spotlight on them, after beating Preston at Pride Park on Wednesday they have finally escaped from the grasps of the relegation zone, and with four wins on the bounce, they may be able to create a bit of distance for themselves.

Oxford and Stoke City are lingering in the same zone, so I may consider browsing their odds in the next few weeks. For me, though, there are probably other teams in more significant danger.