Leicester City have it all do with just just eight games left in the Championship this season. Although Cardiff look certainties for promotion to the Premier League, the second automatic spot, as well as the four play-off places, are very much up for grabs. Here, football writers from each of City's main rivals assess their team's chances, while the Mercury's Rob Tanner also gives his verdict.
CARDIFF Position: 1st Points: 75 Promotion odds: 1-50Still to play: Peterborough (Away, Mar 30); Blackburn (Home, Apr 1); Watford (Away, Apr 6); Barnsley (Home, Apr 9); Nottm Forest (Home, Apr 13); Charlton (Home, Apr 16); Burnley (Away, Apr 20); Bolton (Home, Apr 27); Hull (Away, May 4)Insider's view: Terry Phillips, (South Wales Echo) Prospects: Cardiff have never been in the Premier League, but are close to achieving that status now. They missed out in the 2010 play-off final, plus the semi-finals in the last two seasons. In 2009, they missed out on sixth place after finishing level on points and goal difference with Preston, but missed out on goals scored having lost 6-0 at Deepdale. Cardiff fans remain nervous after so many near-misses, but there is a trust in Malky Mackay.Current form: Cardiff will have been top of the Championship for more than four months, since November 24, by the time they play Peterborough away on Saturday. They have been able to deal with that pressure. Cardiff have lost only once in their last 11 league away games, winning eight and drawing two for 26 points from a possible 33. They also have the knack of winning ugly.Key figures who could make a difference: Playmaker Peter Whittingham has not hit the net since October, while Craig Bellamy's last goal, the winner at Leicester, was in December. Both are due a goal. An ankle injury could end Mark Hudson's season, a massive blow as he has been an inspirational leader.Predictions: Champions: Cardiff, Runners-up: Watford. Play-off winners: Nottm Forest
HULL Position: 2nd Points: 68 Promotion odds: 8-11Still to play: Huddersfield (Away, Mar 30); Watford (Home, Apr 2); Middlesbrough (Home, Apr 6); Ipswich (Away, Apr 13); Wolves (Away, Apr 16); Bristol City (Home, Apr 19); Barnsley (Away, Apr 27); Cardiff (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Philip Buckingham (Hull Daily Mail)Prospects: A season that began with Hull installed as 40-1 outsiders for the Championship title now sees them odds-on to clinch a return to the Premier League. A play-off finish would have been accepted by every supporter back in August, but the targets have gradually shifted up towards automatic promotion. An unbroken residency of almost five months inside the top six is a telling measure of their consistency.Current form: Three defeats in the last five games mean Hull are not in their best touch this season, but five wins in the last eight has set the standard needed in the final five weeks. A ruthless streak against the division's strugglers has maintained their march. Shipping 12 in their last five games has unearthed defensive frailties, but City do look a far more potent threat with George Boyd and Gedo up front.Key figures who could make a difference: Steve Bruce's 3-5-2 shape is made for wing-backs Ahmed Elmohamady and Robbie Brady. Their adventures up and down the flanks consistently carves open opposition defences. Striker Matty Fryatt's expected return next month could provide a further boost after seven months out injured.Predictions: Title winners: Cardiff. Runners-up: Hull. Play-off winners: Watford
WATFORD Position: 3rd Points: 66 Promotion odds: 6-5Still to play: Burnley (Home, Mar 29); Hull (Away, Apr 2); Cardiff (Home, Apr 6); Peterborough (Away, Apr 13); Millwall (Away, Apr 16); Blackburn (Home, Apr 20); Leicester (Away, Apr 26); Leeds (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Anthony Matthews,(Watford Observer)Prospects: Watford's quest for automatic promotion may have faltered recently, but they remain nicely poised for a return to the Premier League, sitting two points off second place with eight games to play. Key to Watford's prospects will be their superb away form – their surprise defeat at Barnsley was only their second loss on the road in 12 league matches.Current form: Having taken 13 points from 15 during an unbeaten February that saw Gianfranco Zola win the Championship manager of the month award, the Hornets have faltered somewhat this month, taking just four points from a possible 12. This sticky patch though, has coincided with the absence for all, or part, of key players such as Manuel Almunia, Fitz Hall and Almen Abdi through injury.Key players who could make a difference: No team in the four professional English divisions can match Watford's goal tally of 72, and almost half of these have been scored by the strike partnership of Matej Vydra and Troy Deeney. Czech international Vydra has gone off the boil recently but, if he can rediscover his best form, which has already seen him net 20 times this season during the run-in, he could be the man to fire Watford into the Premier League.Predictions: Winners: Cardiff. Runners-up: Watford. Play-off winners: Hull.
CRYSTAL PALACE Position: 4th Points: 65 Promotion odds: 7-4Still to play: Birmingham (Home, Mar 29); Blackpool (Away, Apr 1); Barnsley (Home, Apr 6); Millwall (Away, Apr 30); Ipswich (Away, Apr 16); Leicester (Home, Apr 20); Blackburn (Away, Apr 27); Peterborough (Home, Sat, May 4)Insider's view: Richard Cawley (South London Press)Prospects: Healthy. The club are in their highest position at this stage of the season since 1996. There is now an expectation that Palace – in the top six since October 2 – will achieve at least a play-off position. Their fine record at Selhurst Park, just the one defeat since losing to Watford on the opening day, should assure that the top six is not a problem to achieve. It is on the road, where they have won just once since the end of November, where there needs to be an improvement on their points return that will ultimately decide if they can snare one of the automatic spots.Current form: The Eagles' peak was in October and November and, since then, they have kept their promotion drive ticking over without really scaling those heights again. They are now 16 games undefeated on home turf but have taken just seven points from the last 33 on their travels. Ian Holloway's appointment in November has seen the club continue to employ an attacking strategy.Key players who could make a difference: Glenn Murray and Wilfried Zaha have taken most of the plaudits this season and quite rightly, but the man who is perhaps the key to getting them to tick is defensive midfielder Mile Jedinak. Whenever the Australian – so often the starting point of their attacks – is missing, Palace are nowhere near as effective. There isn't a full-back at this level who can deal with Zaha in full flight, while Palace have not lost this season when Murray has netted.Predictions: Champions: Cardiff. Runners-up: Crystal Palace. Play-off winners: Nottm Forest
NOTTM FOREST Position: 5th Points: 60 Promotion odds: 3-1Still to play: Brighton (Home, Mar 30); Burnley (Away, Apr 1); Blackpool (Home, Apr 6); Cardiff (Away, Apr 13); Middlesbrough (Away, Apr 16); Barnsley (Home, Apr 20); Millwall (Away, Apr 27); Leicester (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Paul Taylor (Nottingham Post)Prospects: The key thing for Forest at the minute is momentum. If they do manage to beat Brighton after the international break, when the Seagulls visit the City Ground, the Reds will equal a club record for seven consecutive wins that was set way back in 1921. Six consecutive wins and a draw since Billy Davies returned for his second spell as manager have helped propel Forest from nine points adrift of the play-off places up to fifth. The main aim is to secure a third play-off place under the Scotsman. Anything else would be a huge bonus.Current form: Forest's revival under Davies has been utterly emphatic. They had won only three games in their previous 14 fixtures prior to his arrival. They have subsequently powered their way back into the play-off reckoning amid this potentially record-breaking run. Davies has instilled confidence and belief into the players, while adopting a 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond, which makes the most of their strengths.Key players who could make a difference:While Forest's revival has been inspired by a real team ethos, the key figures have largely been in midfield. Adlene Guedioura sits in front of the back four, providing protection when the full-backs push on, and the trio ahead of him – Radi Majewski, Andy Reid and Henri Lansbury – must be among the best in the Championship.Predictions: Title: Cardiff. Runners-up: Crystal Palace. Play-off winners: Nottm Forest.
CITY Position: 6th Points: 59 Promotion odds: 7-2Still to play: Millwall (Home, Mar 29); Barnsley (Away, Apr 1); Brighton (Away, Apr 6); Birmingham (Home, Apr 12); Bolton (Home, Apr 16); Crystal Palace (Away, Apr 20); Watford (Home, Apr 26); Nottm Forest (Away, May 4)Insider's view: Rob Tanner, (Leicester Mercury)Prospects: It is hanging in the balance now for City. After a fantastic run in January which fired them into the top two, a run of one win in nine games has seen Nigel Pearson's men clinging on to a play-off place. The slump in form is alarming and they produced arguably their worst performance of the season at Derby, a display which gave no indication that they can arrest the slide. However, Pearson took his squad away to Portugal last week for some warm-weather training, and they also have games coming up against some of their big rivals.Current form: Woeful. It is the worst run under Pearson in both of his tenures as City boss. They have won one, drawn three and lost five of their last nine, and also crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Huddersfield. Even more baffling is the fact that the defeats have come against sides in the bottom half – Peterborough, Charlton, Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby.Key players who could make a difference: City desperately need the front two of Chris Wood and David Nugent to return to form. Wood scored nine in his first nine games for City but has gone five games without a goal, while top-scorer Nugent has failed to add to his tally of 14 in his last eight games. To be fair to them, the opportunities have dried up and the likes of Ben Marshall and Anthony Knockaert also need to rediscover some.Predictions: Winners: Cardiff. Runners-up: Hull. Play-offs: Leicester.
BRIGHTON Position: 7th Points: 59 Promotion odds: 9-2Still to play:Nottm Forest (Away, Mar 30); Charlton (Home, Apr 2); Leicester (Home, Apr 6); Middlesbrough (Away, Apr 13); Peterborough (Away, Apr 16); Blackpool (Home, Apr 20); Leeds (Away, Apr 27); Wolves (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Andy Naylor (Brighton Argus)Prospects: Brighton faded into 10th on their return to the Championship last season. With a better and deeper squad, they are more likely to last the course this time. The big worry is up front. Free-scoring Leo Ulloa is their only recognised striker, with top-scorer Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Hoskins out injured for the rest of the campaign, and referee-tripper Ashley Barnes banned until the last three matches.Current form: Pretty good. Brighton were six matches unbeaten, including winning at Cardiff and sneaking past Hull at home, before consecutive defeats at Bolton and Barnsley. They bounced back with a 3-0 derby victory against Crystal Palace at the Amex, where their form could be key.Key players who could make a difference: Take your pick. Argentinian Ulloa stands out with eight goals in 11 games. It could be the goalkeeping of Tomasz Kuszczak, the England experience in the back four of Matt Upson and Wayne Bridge, or the pivotal midfield role of Liam Bridcutt. Failing all that, they have the class of the enigmatic Vicente.Predictions: Title: Cardiff. Runners-up: Hull. Play-off winners: Brighton.
CARDIFF Position: 1st Points: 75 Promotion odds: 1-50Still to play: Peterborough (Away, Mar 30); Blackburn (Home, Apr 1); Watford (Away, Apr 6); Barnsley (Home, Apr 9); Nottm Forest (Home, Apr 13); Charlton (Home, Apr 16); Burnley (Away, Apr 20); Bolton (Home, Apr 27); Hull (Away, May 4)Insider's view: Terry Phillips, (South Wales Echo) Prospects: Cardiff have never been in the Premier League, but are close to achieving that status now. They missed out in the 2010 play-off final, plus the semi-finals in the last two seasons. In 2009, they missed out on sixth place after finishing level on points and goal difference with Preston, but missed out on goals scored having lost 6-0 at Deepdale. Cardiff fans remain nervous after so many near-misses, but there is a trust in Malky Mackay.Current form: Cardiff will have been top of the Championship for more than four months, since November 24, by the time they play Peterborough away on Saturday. They have been able to deal with that pressure. Cardiff have lost only once in their last 11 league away games, winning eight and drawing two for 26 points from a possible 33. They also have the knack of winning ugly.Key figures who could make a difference: Playmaker Peter Whittingham has not hit the net since October, while Craig Bellamy's last goal, the winner at Leicester, was in December. Both are due a goal. An ankle injury could end Mark Hudson's season, a massive blow as he has been an inspirational leader.Predictions: Champions: Cardiff, Runners-up: Watford. Play-off winners: Nottm Forest
HULL Position: 2nd Points: 68 Promotion odds: 8-11Still to play: Huddersfield (Away, Mar 30); Watford (Home, Apr 2); Middlesbrough (Home, Apr 6); Ipswich (Away, Apr 13); Wolves (Away, Apr 16); Bristol City (Home, Apr 19); Barnsley (Away, Apr 27); Cardiff (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Philip Buckingham (Hull Daily Mail)Prospects: A season that began with Hull installed as 40-1 outsiders for the Championship title now sees them odds-on to clinch a return to the Premier League. A play-off finish would have been accepted by every supporter back in August, but the targets have gradually shifted up towards automatic promotion. An unbroken residency of almost five months inside the top six is a telling measure of their consistency.Current form: Three defeats in the last five games mean Hull are not in their best touch this season, but five wins in the last eight has set the standard needed in the final five weeks. A ruthless streak against the division's strugglers has maintained their march. Shipping 12 in their last five games has unearthed defensive frailties, but City do look a far more potent threat with George Boyd and Gedo up front.Key figures who could make a difference: Steve Bruce's 3-5-2 shape is made for wing-backs Ahmed Elmohamady and Robbie Brady. Their adventures up and down the flanks consistently carves open opposition defences. Striker Matty Fryatt's expected return next month could provide a further boost after seven months out injured.Predictions: Title winners: Cardiff. Runners-up: Hull. Play-off winners: Watford
WATFORD Position: 3rd Points: 66 Promotion odds: 6-5Still to play: Burnley (Home, Mar 29); Hull (Away, Apr 2); Cardiff (Home, Apr 6); Peterborough (Away, Apr 13); Millwall (Away, Apr 16); Blackburn (Home, Apr 20); Leicester (Away, Apr 26); Leeds (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Anthony Matthews,(Watford Observer)Prospects: Watford's quest for automatic promotion may have faltered recently, but they remain nicely poised for a return to the Premier League, sitting two points off second place with eight games to play. Key to Watford's prospects will be their superb away form – their surprise defeat at Barnsley was only their second loss on the road in 12 league matches.Current form: Having taken 13 points from 15 during an unbeaten February that saw Gianfranco Zola win the Championship manager of the month award, the Hornets have faltered somewhat this month, taking just four points from a possible 12. This sticky patch though, has coincided with the absence for all, or part, of key players such as Manuel Almunia, Fitz Hall and Almen Abdi through injury.Key players who could make a difference: No team in the four professional English divisions can match Watford's goal tally of 72, and almost half of these have been scored by the strike partnership of Matej Vydra and Troy Deeney. Czech international Vydra has gone off the boil recently but, if he can rediscover his best form, which has already seen him net 20 times this season during the run-in, he could be the man to fire Watford into the Premier League.Predictions: Winners: Cardiff. Runners-up: Watford. Play-off winners: Hull.
CRYSTAL PALACE Position: 4th Points: 65 Promotion odds: 7-4Still to play: Birmingham (Home, Mar 29); Blackpool (Away, Apr 1); Barnsley (Home, Apr 6); Millwall (Away, Apr 30); Ipswich (Away, Apr 16); Leicester (Home, Apr 20); Blackburn (Away, Apr 27); Peterborough (Home, Sat, May 4)Insider's view: Richard Cawley (South London Press)Prospects: Healthy. The club are in their highest position at this stage of the season since 1996. There is now an expectation that Palace – in the top six since October 2 – will achieve at least a play-off position. Their fine record at Selhurst Park, just the one defeat since losing to Watford on the opening day, should assure that the top six is not a problem to achieve. It is on the road, where they have won just once since the end of November, where there needs to be an improvement on their points return that will ultimately decide if they can snare one of the automatic spots.Current form: The Eagles' peak was in October and November and, since then, they have kept their promotion drive ticking over without really scaling those heights again. They are now 16 games undefeated on home turf but have taken just seven points from the last 33 on their travels. Ian Holloway's appointment in November has seen the club continue to employ an attacking strategy.Key players who could make a difference: Glenn Murray and Wilfried Zaha have taken most of the plaudits this season and quite rightly, but the man who is perhaps the key to getting them to tick is defensive midfielder Mile Jedinak. Whenever the Australian – so often the starting point of their attacks – is missing, Palace are nowhere near as effective. There isn't a full-back at this level who can deal with Zaha in full flight, while Palace have not lost this season when Murray has netted.Predictions: Champions: Cardiff. Runners-up: Crystal Palace. Play-off winners: Nottm Forest
NOTTM FOREST Position: 5th Points: 60 Promotion odds: 3-1Still to play: Brighton (Home, Mar 30); Burnley (Away, Apr 1); Blackpool (Home, Apr 6); Cardiff (Away, Apr 13); Middlesbrough (Away, Apr 16); Barnsley (Home, Apr 20); Millwall (Away, Apr 27); Leicester (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Paul Taylor (Nottingham Post)Prospects: The key thing for Forest at the minute is momentum. If they do manage to beat Brighton after the international break, when the Seagulls visit the City Ground, the Reds will equal a club record for seven consecutive wins that was set way back in 1921. Six consecutive wins and a draw since Billy Davies returned for his second spell as manager have helped propel Forest from nine points adrift of the play-off places up to fifth. The main aim is to secure a third play-off place under the Scotsman. Anything else would be a huge bonus.Current form: Forest's revival under Davies has been utterly emphatic. They had won only three games in their previous 14 fixtures prior to his arrival. They have subsequently powered their way back into the play-off reckoning amid this potentially record-breaking run. Davies has instilled confidence and belief into the players, while adopting a 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond, which makes the most of their strengths.Key players who could make a difference:While Forest's revival has been inspired by a real team ethos, the key figures have largely been in midfield. Adlene Guedioura sits in front of the back four, providing protection when the full-backs push on, and the trio ahead of him – Radi Majewski, Andy Reid and Henri Lansbury – must be among the best in the Championship.Predictions: Title: Cardiff. Runners-up: Crystal Palace. Play-off winners: Nottm Forest.
CITY Position: 6th Points: 59 Promotion odds: 7-2Still to play: Millwall (Home, Mar 29); Barnsley (Away, Apr 1); Brighton (Away, Apr 6); Birmingham (Home, Apr 12); Bolton (Home, Apr 16); Crystal Palace (Away, Apr 20); Watford (Home, Apr 26); Nottm Forest (Away, May 4)Insider's view: Rob Tanner, (Leicester Mercury)Prospects: It is hanging in the balance now for City. After a fantastic run in January which fired them into the top two, a run of one win in nine games has seen Nigel Pearson's men clinging on to a play-off place. The slump in form is alarming and they produced arguably their worst performance of the season at Derby, a display which gave no indication that they can arrest the slide. However, Pearson took his squad away to Portugal last week for some warm-weather training, and they also have games coming up against some of their big rivals.Current form: Woeful. It is the worst run under Pearson in both of his tenures as City boss. They have won one, drawn three and lost five of their last nine, and also crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Huddersfield. Even more baffling is the fact that the defeats have come against sides in the bottom half – Peterborough, Charlton, Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby.Key players who could make a difference: City desperately need the front two of Chris Wood and David Nugent to return to form. Wood scored nine in his first nine games for City but has gone five games without a goal, while top-scorer Nugent has failed to add to his tally of 14 in his last eight games. To be fair to them, the opportunities have dried up and the likes of Ben Marshall and Anthony Knockaert also need to rediscover some.Predictions: Winners: Cardiff. Runners-up: Hull. Play-offs: Leicester.
BRIGHTON Position: 7th Points: 59 Promotion odds: 9-2Still to play:Nottm Forest (Away, Mar 30); Charlton (Home, Apr 2); Leicester (Home, Apr 6); Middlesbrough (Away, Apr 13); Peterborough (Away, Apr 16); Blackpool (Home, Apr 20); Leeds (Away, Apr 27); Wolves (Home, May 4)Insider's view: Andy Naylor (Brighton Argus)Prospects: Brighton faded into 10th on their return to the Championship last season. With a better and deeper squad, they are more likely to last the course this time. The big worry is up front. Free-scoring Leo Ulloa is their only recognised striker, with top-scorer Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Hoskins out injured for the rest of the campaign, and referee-tripper Ashley Barnes banned until the last three matches.Current form: Pretty good. Brighton were six matches unbeaten, including winning at Cardiff and sneaking past Hull at home, before consecutive defeats at Bolton and Barnsley. They bounced back with a 3-0 derby victory against Crystal Palace at the Amex, where their form could be key.Key players who could make a difference: Take your pick. Argentinian Ulloa stands out with eight goals in 11 games. It could be the goalkeeping of Tomasz Kuszczak, the England experience in the back four of Matt Upson and Wayne Bridge, or the pivotal midfield role of Liam Bridcutt. Failing all that, they have the class of the enigmatic Vicente.Predictions: Title: Cardiff. Runners-up: Hull. Play-off winners: Brighton.
