The Championship’s Easter double-header has settled plenty of matters.
On Good Friday, Bristol City beat Sunderland to strengthen their play-off chances while Coventry’s win against rivals West Brom was also crucial for their top six hopes.
Plymouth were beaten at Middlesbrough to increase their chances of relegation, while Derby suffered too at home to Luton. A win for Sheffield United meant they held on to their slim chances of automatic promotion. Things changed again on Easter Monday, however.
Leeds and Burnley Delight
Leeds United wasted no time in sealing their return to the Premier League on Monday afternoon. An enthralling 6-0 win against Stoke was highlighted by Joel Piroe’s stunning first-half four-timer to spark the early celebrations.
In the later game, promotion rivals Burnley and Sheffield United faced off at Turf Moor. Talisman Josh Brownhill thumped the home side into the lead before a United equaliser looked to be sending the two in level at half-time. But, with only a minute left, an undisputed penalty meant Brownhill had the chance to put his team in front again.
That’s the way it stayed which meant Burnley joined Leeds in being promoted outright to the Premier League for next season. There were some scuffles at full-time however, as the Sheffield United players took issue with the celebrating Burnley fans.
There’d been some criticism among Championship fans of Blades manager Chris Wilder’s pugnacious attitude. Reading social media, it seems many fans aren’t buying the line that the Burnley fans shouted anything inappropriate. Rather, they feel that Wilder’s belligerent attitude has rubbed off on his players.
Now, United must settle for the play-offs and will need to calm down, regroup and get back to their best to make Wembley and perhaps the top level.
Plymouth Argyle beating Coventry was a highlight. The Midlands side are still in the promotion hunt with not too much damage done but it means Argyle, despite still being bottom, are now only 3 points off safety with two games to play.
Sunderland are guaranteed their spot in the play-offs but lost again, this time to a resurgent Blackburn, and may be heading into the knockouts a little undercooked. Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Millwall will all feel they can challenge Coventry and Bristol City for their spots.
At the bottom, we now have Hull on 48 points and Derby clinging onto safety on 46. In the relegation zone, Luton have 46 points also with Cardiff and Plymouth together on 43. It’ll be some end to the campaign.
Remaining Fixtures and Likelihoods
These are the highlighted upcoming fixtures:
Friday April 25th
- Stoke v Sheffield United
Saturday April 26th
- Luton v Coventry
- Blackburn v Watford
- Hull v Derby
- Middlesbrough v Norwich
- Preston v Plymouth
Monday April 28th
- Leeds v Bristol City
Saturday May 3rd
- Bristol City v Preston
- Burnley v Millwall
- Coventry v Middlesbrough
- Derby v Stoke
- Norwich v Cardiff
- Plymouth v Leeds
- Portsmouth v Hull
- Sheffield United v Blackburn
- West Brom v Luton
So, with these fixtures in mind, what are the odds on the various outcomes in the 2024/25 Championship?
To Win the Title: 2/7 Leeds, 5/2 Burnley
To Be Promoted: 13/8 Sheffield United, 2/1 Sunderland, 7/2 Bristol City, 11/2 Coventry, 16/1 Middlesbrough
To Be Relegated: 1/50 Plymouth, 1/5 Cardiff, 4/7 Luton, 1/1 Derby, 8/1 Hull