Latest Championship Odds: Title War of the Roses

This weekend's action has seen the title race change yet again, as well as the play-off picture, and the bottom three offered us a bit more drama. In other words, welcome back to the Championship.

War of the Roses at the Top

Well, well, well, how do we even start this section anymore? This weekend once again showed us that nothing is ever secure in the Championship, and we are on track to experience one of the best season finales in years.

It's best to start with Sheffield United, who have all but left the race for the top two in the past three games. A few weeks ago, they led the division, but now, after three losses on the bounce, they are sitting in third, five points away from the league leaders.

Then, it feels unfair to speak about one of the top two before the other, but we'll start with Burnley, who sit second on goal difference currently. A fourth win in their last five games shows that they are very much up for the fight, and the 2-1 win against Norwich is a significant win in the weekend's early kick-off.

Leeds did not give them the top spot for too long, winning by the same scoreline at home against Preston on Saturday at lunchtime. I, admittedly, still have a few doubts in my mind about the Whites defensively, but they're surely as good as safe now for a return to the Premier League.

Well, they would be if it wasn't the Championship...

Late Drama in the Play-Offs

As we have done for around a month now, we have to get Sunderland, respectfully, out of the way here. The Black Cats are safe, and have been for a while now. A loss this weekend against Swansea at home will certainly be a bit of a worry, but there will be no meltdowns.

Now, the exciting part (sorry to any Sunderland fans...), where we start with Bristol City, who currently occupy that fifth place spot with 64 points. The Robins have built quite a nice barrier recently, and their draw against QPR this weekend is certainly not a bad result, especially considering how everyone else did.

Taking the last spot in the play-offs is still Coventry, and after their late drama in midweek, they could not follow things up with another three points, instead being held by Hull City on Monday night. Again, they have that safety built up a little, but they cannot really afford to drop any more points now.

Recording their first win in five games this weekend was West Bromwich Albion, who edged Watford at home. Certainly not the most impressive win ever, but it is three big points, and if this can change their fortunes, it will be massive for morale.

Middlesbrough follow behind on 60, and after their brief revitalisation, they have dropped back into old habits, losing two on the bounce.

Then, from nowhere, Millwall have joined proceedings, and there is a possibility that they emerge late and get play-offs, considering they are on 60 points and have won four of their last five.

Once again, the Championship is never boring.

They Couldn't, Could They?

After the last set of fixtures, I was quite damning about the relegation spots, but maybe there is still life at the bottom.

Plymouth, whom I said last week were as good as gone, have proven me very wrong, with a huge win against Sheffield United at the weekend. Now, they sit on 40 points, and with just three points between them and 21st, there is a slight chance of a miracle.

Luton's recent spell of security came to an end at the weekend, with Blackburn snatching a 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road with 10 men. We cannot write them off, of course not, but they are far too on the edge for a side who have just been relegated from the Premier League.

It was a similar story in South Wales, where Cardiff were beaten by themselves with Will Fish scoring an own goal in the 85th minute to give Stoke City three points. A really unfortunate error, but that is football sometimes.

Derby then sit in 21st, and they will actually feel rather frustrated not to be sitting higher, after conceding a 91st-minute equaliser to fellow strugglers Portsmouth. However, as a neutral, it keeps the relegation picture quite lively.

Any of the bottom three could avoid relegation this season, you feel, and I cannot wait to see how the next few weeks unfurl.