Championship run-in: Burnley aiming for 100 points and relegation battle hots up

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The Easter weekend saw plenty of twists and turns in the Championship, with Burnley earning promotion back into the Premier League.

There are still plenty of teams in the race for promotion, while at the bottom end of the table Wigan, Blackpool and Reading encountered more misery.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the current state of play in the Championship.

Can Burnley break 100?

Burnley have sealed promotion but can they break 100 points in the Championship?
Burnley have sealed promotion but can they break 100 points in the Championship? (Richard Sellers/PA)

Who can get automatics?

Already-promoted Burnley are on course to become champions but still need to pick up five points from their last six games in order to secure the title. Second-placed Sheffield United are now 14 points behind the league leaders, but their position is not secure as Luton and Middlesbrough are still firmly in the hunt to poach that last remaining automatic spot should the Blades slip up. Third-placed Luton are five points behind United following their win against Blackpool on Monday, while Boro’s momentum has seemingly dipped, with only one win in their last five league games. Michael Carrick’s side are eight points off second but only picked up one point over the Easter weekend, losing to Burnley on Friday before being held to a 2-2 draw by Bristol City.

Play-off picture

Coming into the final stretch of the season, the play-off race remains incredibly open with several teams still able to swoop in and snatch a spot. With Luton and Boro in third and fourth, Millwall and Blackburn – both on 62 points – currently occupy the remaining places, meaning that only six points separate sixth and 12th. In-form Preston have won their last three league games and are just outside of the automatic spots due to goal difference, but they are trailed closely by both Norwich and Coventry. Tenth-placed Sunderland, who were promoted from League One last season, remain in the picture following a 1-0 win at Cardiff on Monday, while West Brom and Watford are also still within touching distance.

Managerial changes

Poor results saw Mick McCarthy depart from Blackpool on Saturday (Adam Davy/PA)
Poor results saw Mick McCarthy depart Blackpool on Saturday (Adam Davy/PA)

Relegation battle

Under Neil Warnock, Huddersfield have won three of their last five games (Tim Goode/PA)
Under Neil Warnock, Huddersfield have won three of their last five games (Tim Goode/PA)

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