The Run-In for the Title UPDATE

The run-in for the title (UPDATE)

A few weeks ago, I ran this feature, when most clubs had 8-9 games left. Four games later, I have reviewed the status of each club, whilst leaving my original predictions (and those of Martyn Bowers) for comparison. Martyn has also put on a comment for each team to review his predictions. I have included only the 9 teams that were in the top 9 then (ignoring the fact Colchester are now 9^th and Cardiff 10^th).

Sunderland

Played 42, 79pts (GD: 24)

Matt thought: 2^nd

Mart thought: 2^nd

Remaining fixtures: QPR (H), Colchester (A), Burnley (H), Luton (A)

Continued success for the Mackems that has resulted in the last 16 games ending with 13 wins and 3 draws (undefeated in 2007), and the Lads are not going to stop there. I am now more confident than ever that Sunderland will go up automatically. The past 2 games have been against playoff contenders and we saw them both off; our remaining fixtures should be no trouble. Remember that the Burnley home game is also on TV, it's been moved to a Friday night. A trip to Wembley now seems less and less likely as the Black Cats pounce upon the chance to go up automatically. Ha'way the Lads!

A word from Mart: Sunderland will be expected to win their remaining games and without any bias - I believe they will do that. Sunderland will be promoted as champions in my eyes.

Derby

Played 42, 78pts (GD: 16)

Matt thought: 1^st

Mart thought: 1^st

Remaining fixtures: Ipswich (A), Luton (H), Crystal Palace (A), Leeds (H)

I am revising my prediction: I think that Sunderland will finish top, with Derby second. Three of the Rams' remaining fixtures are against teams in the bottom third - Leeds, Luton and Ipswich - so the pressure from Birmingham should not be too strong. An automatic promotion place seems almost inevitable for this side, even if their last 2 games have resulted in only 2 points.

A word from Mart: Sunderland are the form team at the moment and, as previously mentioned, will be expected to win their remaining games. This would leave them top therefore I would say Derby are going to finish second.

Birmingham

Played 41, 74pts (GD: 21)

Matt thought: 4^th

Mart thought: 3^rd

Remaining fixtures: Southampton (H), Leicester (A), Wolves (A), Sheffield Wed (H), Preston (A)

By losing their last 2 games to low-league opposition, Birmingham's chances for catching Sunderland & Derby have been dashed. Even with the game in hand, the remaining fixtures are not exactly promising for the Blues, with Wolves, Preston and Southampton all hoping for playoff places. On recent performance, I can't imagine them finishing any higher than they are. In fact, I'll keep my original prediction of 4^th. I think that cruel fate will mean that, after a fantastic mid-season, Birmingham will lose in the playoff final (on penalties?).

A word from Mart: I am not altering my prediction for Birmingham as I think Derby and Sunderland are much more capable of getting automatic promotion places than them. They are slightly unpredictable at the moment and I don't think that will change.

West Brom

Currently: 4^th

Played 42, 70pts (GD: 20)

Matt thought: 6^th

Mart thought: 5^th

Remaining fixtures: Sheffield Wed (H), Burnley (A), Coventry (A), Barnsley (H)

WBA have risen above the competition for 6^th and now look keen to cement their place in the playoffs. I think they'll finish 3^rd (just ahead of Birmingham). The playoff final will, for once, be 3^rd vs 4^th and this team will be the one to go up. Thousands of angry Brummies at Wembley: fantastic!

A word from Mart: I think WBA will end the season in 4th place. They recently had a lacklustre run but things are picking up just as the season comes to an end.

Wolves

Played 42, 69pts (GD: -1)

Matt thought: 5^th

Mart thought: 4^th

Remaining fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Birmingham (H), QPR (H), Leicester (A)

I was absolutely sure of Wolves' chances of a playoff place 4 games ago, and I still think it's a good bet. I'm sticking with them for 5^th.

A word from Mart: I predict that Wolves will take 5^th place and enter the play-off stages of the fight for promotion. They have been slightly below par lately but they're certainly no pushovers.

Preston

Played 42, 68pts (GD: 9)

Matt thought: 3^rd

Mart thought: 6^th

Remaining fixtures: Coventry (A), Leicester (H), Plymouth (A), Birmingham (H)

Preston have lost their last few games, and I am now revising my prediction of 3^rd to 6^th. With their remaining fixtures being a bit of a mixed bag, I think they'll stay where they are now and lose out in the playoff semi-final (to WBA).

A word from Mart: Due to Preston's recent dip in form, they have dropped to 6^th. My original prediction was 6^th but I think they will finish just outside the play-offs with hard-working Southampton taking their place.

Stoke

Played 42, 67pts (GD: 19)

Matt thought: 8^th

Mart thought: 9^th

Remaining fixtures: Cardiff (A), Hull (H), Colchester (H), QPR (A)

Despite going up to 7^th, I think that they will finish 9^th. If they got into the playoffs, it would be undeserved. I think they'll put Colchester back into 10^th place when they play them in a couple of weeks' time, and finish just above them.

A word from Mart: I still think Stoke will end the season in 9th place. They're a difficult team to break down but they're certainly not the best team in the league and their current form/position reflects that.

Southampton

Played 42, 66pts (GD: 20)

Matt thought: 9^th

Mart thought: 8^th

Remaining fixtures: Birmingham (A), Leeds (H), Norwich (A), Southend (H)

The day after they thrashed Wolves at home, I said that they might just make the last playoff place. Now that Sunderland have beaten them, their chances are dented, and I think that the playoffs are just out of their reach. I think they'll finish a well-deserved 7^th.

A word from Mart: As I said before, I think Southampton will take PNE's place in the play-offs as they're a tough team to beat as Sunderland just found out. Their form has been quite good and they recently beat Wolves 6-0 - although some would say that was a fluke.

Cardiff

Played 42, 63pts (GD: 8)

Matt thought: 7^th

Mart thought: 7^th

Remaining fixtures: Stoke (H), QPR (A), Hull (H), Ipswich (A)

With the past four games really helping to cock up their playoff plans, the Bluebirds will have to settle for another season in the Championship. Considering the easiness of their final three games, think they'll finish 8^th. Despite all their hard work earlier on in the season, they have fallen at the final hurdle.

A word from Mart: I think Cardiff will spend yet another season in the Championship as they will miss out on the play-offs by a point or two. My original prediction was 7th and I am sticking with that.