The race for the Championship title, just like the Premier League, is set to go down to the wire.
As many as four teams could end up with their hands on the second tier trophy at the end of May such is the tightness of the competition.
There is just a three-point gap between Brighton & Hove Albion in fourth, and Hull City who are top of the table with 63 points.
It is Middlesbrough though, who have the advantage with two games in hand on some of their closest rivals. They could open up a four-point lead on Hull, if Steve Bruce's Tigers happen lose their next game at home against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend and if Aitor Karanka's side win their two remaining matches which will come in the form of trips to Fulham and Blackburn Rovers.
Burnley, who won promotion from the Championship in 2013/14, can also potentially take the crown but I believe it will be Hull who will win the league.
Sean Dyche has experience of this situation fresh in his mind, but coming first may be a stretch for the Clarets with a better bet being automatic promotion with a second-place finish.
Bruce has rebuilt his side well following their relegation last year, and has kept important players such as Curtis Davies and Tom Huddlestone.
Meanwhile, if Middlesbrough do not finish in 1st or 2nd place, I fear for them in the play-offs. Last year they put in an abject performance in the final as Norwich City ran away with it.
Perhaps the signing of Jordan Rhodes and Stewart Downing may just be the sort of experience they need to handle the big occasion at Wembley.
More worryingly, if they are not in the Premier League next season, it could spell the end of Karanka and his time in charge, as he may be tempted to move on to bigger things.
Brighton will be the final team to gain promotion to the Premier League, however it will be via the play-offs.
The Seagulls are a talented and strong team who are able to see out results, and the team will have the quality and togetherness to win promotion to the top tier of English football.
Chris Hughton has an organised squad which know how to win games and that will be crucial when they compete in the cut-throat nature of the play-offs.
Prediction
Premiers: Hull City
Runners-Up: Burnley
Play-off winer
Brighton & Hove Albion
By Joe Baker
