Playing for a place in the Premier League.

Perhaps one of the biggest prizes in English football is promotion from the Championship, giving clubs the opportunity to play against some of the biggest clubs in the world.

This season the race out of the Championship is tight, as always, but it looks as if the two automatic promotion places will go to two from Reading, Birmingham and Wolves. I would argue Reading and Birmingham have perhaps the better squads but Wolves have been up there all season and currently lie top of the table and seven points clear of third placed Reading.

Both Birmingham and Reading were unlucky to be relegated last season, with both looking pretty safe at about this point last year. Both sides respective managers will be hoping they don’t suffer a similar end of season burn out this time. Reading and Birmingham meet on the final day of the season in what could be a massive game for both sides. I’m really hoping the promotion situation isn’t resolved by then because if it isn’t that game will be basically a cup final and could be a cracking encounter.

Wolves have really impressed me this season and I think they should be able to keep up the pace and win the league. Wolves also meet Birmingham before the season is out, they face a tricky trip to St Andrews on April 6. If Wolves don’t lose away at Birmingham they should win the Championship and cap a remarkable season.

For the side that misses out on the top two they will have to contend with the lottery of the play-offs. Play-offs are great but if you lose the heartache is unbelievable, they’re a lot better if your side isn’t involved. It might be worth having an online football bet on Sheffield United achieving promotion, they’re not going to get into the top two unless something dramatic happens but they have a fairly decent side. The Blades still feel aggrieved they were relegated in 2007 (West Ham survived, with Carlos Tevez their star player) and will be eager to get back into the top-flight of English football.

Of the other play-off contenders Cardiff also have a decent opportunity to get into the Premier League. The Welsh side have been fantastic at home this season and look as if they will finish in the top-six. If they were to go up they would be the favourites to go down with most bookies sports book betting odds but nevertheless they have the opportunity to make a bit of history and become the first Welsh side in the Premier League.

It is often the case that the team that comes third doesn’t do so well in the play-offs, this may be because of the disappointment of missing out on an automatic spot. That is why it might be best to study the sports betting odds and pick an outsider who is in a rich vein of form. Last years beaten finalists Bristol City could still get into the play-offs and they would be my outside tip to get into the Premier League.

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