BURNLEY (1st, 75pts, 38 games)
Expert view: Suzanne Geldard, Lancashire Telegraph
What shape are your club in? Four points clear, unbeaten in 2016 (15 Championship games) – Burnley could not wish to be in better shape. Except they could be.
There was a key moment when just after MK Dons missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot (against Albion) the Clarets conceded a stoppage time equaliser to Wolves. A potential eight-point gap had become four.
Key men? Andre Gray and Sam Vokes, above.
Your run-in? Out of the top six Burnley’s is arguably the toughest, with six top 11 teams to play in the remaining eight games – three of them serious promotion contenders.
Top two and play-offs? Burnley and Brighton automatic. Boro, Hull, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby play-offs.
ALBION (2nd, 71pts, 38 games)
Expert view: Andy Naylor, The Argus
What shape are your club in? They have recovered from a winless seven-match run in December and January with one defeat in 12. The revival, aside from resounding 4-0 victories away to Bristol City and at home to Leeds, has maintained the pattern of finding a way to get the job done.
Sixteen of their 19 wins have been by the odd goal, a useful attribute approaching squeaky bum time.
Key men? Everybody. There are no obvious stars.
Your run-in? Burnley and Derby at home, Middlesbrough away on the final day will go a long way to deciding whether they go up automatically or are in the play-offs.
It is preferable to be up against teams with nothing to play for, particularly if you can get in front. Nottingham Forest away and QPR at home fit the category.
Top two and play-offs? Burnley and Brighton automatic. Boro, Hull, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday play-offs.
MIDDLESBROUGH (3rd, 70pts, 37 games)
Expert view: Jonathon Taylor, The Gazette
What shape are your club in? The victory against Hull before the international break was absolutely crucial and it ended a pretty turbulent week on Teesside.
Aitor Karanka’s future was shrouded in doubt following a reported bust-up with some of his players and the club’s promotion push appeared to be on the brink of implosion.
Key men? Getting Daniel Ayala back to full fitness is an absolute must.
Your run-in? The showdown at Turf Moor in mid-April jumps out but before then Boro have three consecutive home games, followed by a trip to Bolton. A big points return during that spell is crucial, before a tricky final four games.
Top two and play-offs? Burnley and Boro automatic. Hull, Brighton, Derby and Sheff Wed play-offs.
HULL (4th, 66pts, 37 games)
Expert view: Philip Buckingham, Hull Daily Mail
What shape are your club in? City are flagging, no doubt about it, but Steve Bruce will hope the international break has arrived at a good time.
Two wins in the last nine and none in the last five does not point towards a team coming good at the right time and in that run there have been some damaging defeats away to Burnley, Birmingham and Middlesbrough.
The biggest concern is the lack of goals.
Key men? Abel Hernandez has to come good. As the £10m club-record signing, a failure to add to his 16 goals over recent weeks has hurt the side.
Your run-in? Other than a trip to Derby, it’s pretty generous. After travelling to Huddersfield and Reading, two clubs with little to play for, the final away game is a doomed Bolton.
But it’s at home where City will look to come good again.
Top two and play-offs? Burnley and Hull automatic. Boro, Brighton, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday play-offs.
DERBY (5th, 64pts, 38 games)
Expert view: Steve Nicholson, Derby Telegraph
What shape are your club in? They went seven league games without a win from the turn of the year and head coach Paul Clement was shown the door after only eight months in charge.
Academy director Darren Wassall was handed the head coach reigns for the rest of the season and his eight games have brought four wins, three defeats and a painful draw at Rotherham from a three-goal lead in the final ten minutes.
How much influence the experienced Harry Redknapp has as the club’s newly-appointed football advisor remains to be seen.
Key men? As Middlesbrough and Hull are finding right now, you need goals. Chris Martin, pictured above, remains Derby’s most likely source.
Your run-in? Impossible to judge, because most teams are fighting for points for different reasons. Add the unpredictability factor and it becomes more difficult to call.
Cue the cliche ... there are no easy games. Derby still have to play five of the top eight and the bottom two.
Top two and play-offs? Burnley and Middlesbrough top two. Play-offs Hull, Brighton, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (6th, 62pts, 38 games)
Expert view: Dominick Howson, Sheffield Star
What shape are your club in? Boss Carlos Carvalhal, above, has the luxury of virtually a fully fit squad to choose from and key players such as Fernando Forestieri, above, and Gary Hooper are hitting top form just at the right time.
Only leaders Burnley have found the back of the net more than Carvalhal’s side this term.
They will only get stronger when influential midfielder Barry Bannan returns to action following his three-match suspension.
Key men? It is imperative Tom Lees stays clear of any further injury problems.
Your run-in? Wednesday will fancy their prospects of securing a play-off berth. They have established a three-point cushion over seventh-placed Cardiff City, who they still have to play at Hillsborough.
Their two home clashes with the Bluebirds and Ipswich Town could hold the key to finishing in the top six.
Top two and play-offs? Burnley and Brighton straight up. Middlesbrough, Hull, Derby and Wednesday play-offs.
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