As the season rolls into the traditionally busy festive fixture schedule, it is very distant from the more pivotal time of Easter, which can often sort out the serious promotion contenders. Nevertheless, the Championship table is starting to take serious shape, and the separation from contenders to also-rans is getting clearer.
The early season favourites are mostly where they should be, with a couple of surprise teams – as always – thrown into the mix.
So, if the season would somehow have the plug pulled right now, just how would the playoffs look and who would emerge victorious?
The automatic places have been won, with Leicester City returning to the Premier League breaking records along the way, and riding the momentum of promotion the previous season, Ipswich Town have come good and made a return to the top flight.
The playoffs have a firm favourite with another relegated team from the country’s top division aiming for an immediate return. But with the extra excitement and drama that the end-of-season format brings, nothing can be taken for granted. With that in mind who is in the mix, and who could pull off a shock?
Leeds United (3) v Sunderland (6)
Leeds come into this semi-final on a rich run of form that at one point threatened to challenge the top two, but the consistency of those at the top would mean they have had to settle for the top seed in the playoffs.
Daniel Farke has been in the thick of promotion chases before and will be confident that his team can ease through this stage against a Sunderland side that has been the opposite of consistent but somehow done enough to stay ahead of a pack, only be goal difference. Leeds to win this match up 4-2 on aggregate.
Southampton (4) v West Bromwich Albion (5)
This one may be more difficult to call, with WBA being a real wild card entry. When Carlos Corberan’s team is on song they can match most teams, the proof being a recent win against Ipswich Town. Their away form is not the best, and they will need to get a positive result in the home tie.
The Saints though have a far better home record, and matchup well on the road too. This tie has the potential to go all the way to a penalty shootout, and then it is a game of nerves. Southampton with an expectant home crowd have the edge. Southampton to win on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate score.
The Championship Playoff Final
It was perhaps inevitable that these two teams would end up battling it out for promotion. As often when two sides so bent on getting back to the Premier League at the first attempt, they can cancel each other out, as the fear of throwing away the game early on can take hold.
Neither side backing down. When Leeds take the lead just before the break though, it does alter the way Russell Martin approaches the second half. Coming out on the front foot they pepper the Leeds goal with shots, but United hold firm, then grab a promotion-clinching goal on the counter-attack condemning the South Coast team to another season in the EFL.
Summary
Of course, this is all in the realms of fantasy football, as there are many twists and turns to come, in fact as fate has it Leeds play Sunderland on Tuesday evening so we get a preview of what could be the match outlined above. I’m sure the likes of Cardiff City, Hull City, Preston North End, Watford, Blackburn Rovers, and so on will challenge for the spots available. That is what makes the Championship a must-watch.
