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Championship play-off contenders: Who is in the running to reach the top six?

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The battle for a play-off place is hotting up as we enter the final stages of the Sky Bet Championship campaign.

With Wolves leading the way and seemingly heading for automatic promotion, we take a look at the other runners and riders as they look to secure a place in the top six.

Who's in form? Who's confident? Who appears to have the best run-in? Read on for analysis of the scrap for a shot at the Premier League...

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Latest Sky Bet odds

Check out all the latest odds from Sky Bet here...

Sky Bet Championship - top 10

Team Pl W D L GD Pts
Wolves 37 24 7 6 +34 79
Cardiff 37 23 7 7 +27 76
Aston Villa 37 20 9 8 +25 69
Fulham 37 19 11 7 +25 69
Derby 37 16 14 7 +21 62
M'boro 37 18 7 12 +18 61
Sheff Utd 37 18 5 14 +8 59
Bristol City 37 15 13 9 +11 58
Preston 37 14 15 8 +9 57
Millwall 37 14 13 10 +7 55

CARDIFF - 2nd, 76 points

Remaining fixtures: Derby (a), Burton (h), Sheff Utd (a), Wolves (h), Aston Villa (a), Norwich (a), Nottingham Forest (h), Hull (a), Reading (h)

Av. position of remaining opposition: 11.6

Points accrued from reverse fixtures: 23/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Derby (a), Sheff Utd (a), Wolves (h), Aston Villa (a)

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Health check: Neil Warnock has lamented the injury list at Cardiff; for the recent visit of Birmingham 10 outfield players were absent. Midfielder Aron Gunnarsson has not been seen in the team since November due to an ankle problem, while striker Danny Ward is ruled out until the end of the season.

Form: WWWWWW

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Sol Bamba scored an exquisite equaliser for Cardiff against Brentford with a brilliant turn and finish inside the area.

What the manager is saying: Warnock is concerned by the fixture list: "I think we're going to have to write to the Football League. No team going for promotion should play on a Friday coming back off the international break, it's pathetic. We've got lads playing on the Wednesday night and we're playing Burton on the Friday night? It's absolutely ridiculous."

Key man: Marko Grujic - The Liverpool loanee has shone since arriving in January and his lack of game time in the first half of the season might ensure he will not burnout before the end of the campaign.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 2/7

Neil Warnock saw his side move four points clear of third place on Sunday
Image: Neil Warnock is aiming for the Premier League

ASTON VILLA - 3rd, 69 points

Remaining fixtures: Bolton (a), Hull (a), Reading (h), Norwich (a), Cardiff (h), Leeds (h), Ipswich (a), Derby (h), Millwall (a)

Av. position of remaining opposition: 12.4

Points from reverse fixtures: 12/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Cardiff (h), Derby (h), Millwall (a)

Health check: It was feared striker Jonathan Kodjia could miss the rest of the season with a fractured ankle but he could now return following the international break, which would be a boost the forward line.

Form: LDWWWL

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

What the manager is saying: Steve Bruce feels his side's experience could be key, saying: "We're a threat going forward and they all put in a shift. Jack Grealish coming back in has helped us and Lewis [Grabban] has given us another dimension. And we look so strong defensively."

Key man: Jack Grealish - When the midfielder is on form, he looks a cut above most in the league and his dynamism can make the difference in the final third.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 15/8

Sky Bet man of the match Jack Grealish applauds home fans after the 2-0 derby win over local rivals Birmingham City
Image: Jack Grealish has the ability to change a game

FULHAM - 4th, 68 points

Remaining fixtures: QPR (h), Norwich (a), Leeds (h), Sheff Wed (a), Reading (h), Brentford (h), Millwall (a), Sunderland (h), Birmingham (a)

Ave position of remaining opposition: 16.2

Points from reverse fixtures: 12/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Millwall (a)

Health check: Sheyi Ojo is ready to make an impact in the run-in after missing six weeks with a leg injury. The winger on loan from Liverpool was absent for two months earlier in the campaign after suffering a dislocated shoulder.

Form: WDWWWW

What the manager is saying: Slavisa Jokanovic believes Fulham deserve to be in the Premier League, saying recently: "If I'm a coach then I must believe we can do it and win promotion. I trust in myself, my staff and my coaches. I've been asked where we went wrong last year but actually football is about many small details and I think we deserve to be a Premier League team."

Key man: Ryan Sessegnon - It is no surprise that the teenager is attracting interesting from the majority of the Premier League having scored 14 and assisted another four this season so far.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: Evens

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20:  Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham celebrates scoring his sides fifth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Bu
Image: Ryan Sessegnon is Fulham's shining light

DERBY - 5th, 62 points

Remaining fixtures: Cardiff (h), Sunderland (h), Preston (a), Bolton (h), Wolves (a), Burton (a), Middlesbrough (h), Aston Villa (a), Barnsley (h)

Ave position of remaining opposition: 12.1

Points from reverse fixtures: 20/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Cardiff (a), Preston (a), Wolves (a), Middlesbrough (h), Aston Villa (a)

Health check: Prior to their draw against local rivals Nottingham Forest, Gary Rowett claimed to have 13 separate players injured, although many were still fit enough to play in the goalless draw. Top scorer Matej Vydra missed the match with a groin problem and his fitness will be of the greatest concern to the manager.

Form: LDDLDD

What the manager's saying: Gary Rowett does not believe his side can now achieve automatic promotion, but says the season has still be a successful one regardless: "I think a lot of Derby fans would have probably felt it was a season of change, a season of consolidation maybe, and a promotion challenge was out of the question but we are still in there and still fighting."

Key man: Matej Vydra - The striker has scored 18 goals already, three times more than any of his team-mates, a sign of how crucial his finishing has been to the Rams this season.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 5/1

Matej Vydra celebrates after scoring a penalty during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Sheffield United
Image: Matej Vydra celebrates after scoring a penalty during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Sheffield United

MIDDLESBROUGH - 6th, 61 points

Remaining fixtures: Brentford (a), Wolves (h), Burton (a), Nottingham Forest (h), Sheff Utd (a), Bristol City (h), Derby (a), Millwall (h), Ipswich (a)

Ave position of remaining opposition: 10.3

Points from reverse fixtures: 17/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Wolves (h), Sheff Utd (a), Bristol City (h), Derby (a), Millwall (h)

Health check: Rudy Gestede will not feature again this season due to a fractured ankle which he suffered during a 3-1 win over Hull, a match in which he scored twice.

Form: LWDWWW

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Barnsley.

What the manager is saying: Tony Pulis told BBC Tees recently: "We have nine games to go. We've got 27 points to play for, so come and see me when we've one game to go and four points clear and I'll be absolutely delighted. I'm serious. We have to keep our feet firmly on the ground and there are some very tough games coming up."

Key man: Adama Traore - The winger is thriving under Pulis, with his pace making the difference in vital games.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 9/2

Adama Traore celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between QPR and Middlesbrough
Image: Adama Traore is shining under Tony Pulis

SHEFF UTD - 7th, 59 points

Remaining fixtures: Nottingham Forest (h), Brentford (a), Cardiff (h), Barnsley (a), Middlesbrough (h), Millwall (h), Birmingham (a), Preston (h), Bristol City (a)

Ave position of remaining opposition: 11.6

Points from reverse fixtures: 7/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Cardiff (h), Middlesbrough (h), Millwall (h), Preston (h), Bristol City (a)

Health check: Paul Coutts is the only long-term absentee for the Blades after the midfielder suffered a fractured tibia in November.

Form: WLWLDW

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Re-live Billy Sharp's superb volley against Leeds

What the manager is saying: Chris Wilder says: "We're just not really thinking about league positions at the end of the season. We're just thinking about getting points and being in the scrap going down the home straight which we are now. That's the target. We'll talk about what we've done at the end of the season, whether it's been good or okay. At the moment, I think it's been really good. Opposition managers tell us we've done great.

Key man: Billy Sharp - The experienced striker suffered an eight-game dry spell earlier in the season but has scored five in his last eight.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 14/1

Billy Sharp celebrates after scoring for Sheffield United
Image: Billy Sharp has hit a rich vein of form

BRISTOL CITY - 8th, 58 points

Remaining fixtures: Ipswich (h), Barnsley (a), Brentford (h), Millwall (a), Birmingham (h), Middlesbrough (a), Hull (h), Nottingham Forest (a), Sheff Utd (h)

Ave position of remaining opposition: 13.5

Points from reverse fixtures: 20/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Millwall (a) Middlesbrough (a), Sheff Utd (h)

Health check: Callum O'Dowda and Matty Taylor are the main absentees for Bristol City. Both have undergone surgery to correct an ankle and hernia problem, respectively, so should be available before the season concludes.

Form: DDLWLD

What the manager is saying: Lee Johnson says: "All clubs get injuries but it's very unusual - I've never had it as a player or a manager - to have seven injuries to a squad that are over 14 weeks to key players, and six of those guys probably would have been starting if I'd picked a team at the start of the season."

Key man: Bobby Reid - The Academy graduate has lead the line wonderfully well, recently hitting a hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday, which took his tally to 19 for the season.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 14/1

Bobby Reid celebrates at the final whistle during the Carabao Cup Second Round match against Watford
Image: Bobby Reid is Bristol City's top scorer

PRESTON - 9th, 57 points

Remaining fixtures: Sunderland (a), Sheff Wed (a), Derby (h), Reading (a), Leeds (h), QPR (a), Norwich (h), Sheff Utd (a), Burton (h)

Ave position of remaining opposition: 15.3

Points from reverse fixtures: 17/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Derby (h), Sheff Utd (a)

Health check: Preston have no injury problems of note, which might prove handy in the latter stages.

Form: DDLWWL

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston and Bristol City.

What the manager's saying: Alex Neil: "It's a snowball effect. With each game that goes by, it becomes bigger and bigger. If you win this one the next one becomes more important, and then after that the next one becomes more important. So what we've got to do is make sure that is the case because if you end up losing the next couple you are in danger of letting things peter out.

Key man: Sean Maguire - The striker has scored four in his last three outings, as Preston look to come up with a way in which to replace Jordan Hugill who left for West Ham in the winter window.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 22/1

Preston North End's Sean Maguire celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game
Image: Preston North End's Sean Maguire has found form in recent weeks

MILLWALL - 10th, 55 points

Remaining fixtures: Barnsley (a), Nottingham Forest (h), Ipswich (a), Bristol City (h), Bolton (a), Sheffield United (a), Fulham (h), Middlesbrough (a), Aston Villa (h)

Ave position of remaining opposition: 10.7

Points from reverse fixtures: 9/27

Head-to-heads (vs other top 10 sides): Bristol City (h), Sheffield United (a), Fulham (h), Middlesbrough (a), Aston Villa (h)

Health check: Defender Byron Webster remains absent with a long-term knee injury, but Aiden O'Brien is on his way back. Neil Harris has a fully-fit squad to pick from otherwise.

Form: WWWDWW

What the manager's saying: Harris said: "Millwall going like a steam train pleases me. We're six points off the play-offs with nine games to go - the players and fans have earned the right to dream."

Key man: Steve Morison - He embodies everything Millwall are about and is very much Harris' man on the pitch. He struggled for goals earlier in the season but has come into good form as the Lions have charged up the table.

Sky Bet odds to win promotion: 66/1

HULL, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Millwall players celebrate their second goal scored by Jake Cooper during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Millwall FC at KCOM Stadium on March 6, 2018 in Hull, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
Image: Millwall have emerged as unlikely outsiders

Don't miss the Sky Bet Championship clash between Derby and Cardiff on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event from 11.30am

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