Source: Daily_Mail
Which Championship clubs will win the Premier League promotion race?
The race to the Premier League is heating up, just as the prize on the horizon draws closer. While the Championship's top spot may be done and dusted, the scramble for the other two promotion places is wide open. [LNB]Barring a remarkable collapse, Queens Park Rangers have the title - and promotion to the top-flight - secured, albeit with the threat of a points deduction hanging over them. [LNB]But the fight for second place and the four play-off positions takes in a host of sides all desperate to get a slice of the big money on offer a division above. [LNB]With just eight rounds of league matches left, Sportsmail takes a look at seven of the contenders. [LNB]Norwich - 2nd, 67 points [LNB]Key man - Grant Holt. The frontman has been in fine form all season and netted at crucial times - without his goals Norwich would be 17 points worse off.[LNB] Promotion history - Won League One last year and this division in 2004 en route to Premier League.[LNB] Canaries flying high: Norwich are in a great position for a return to the top flight[LNB] [LNB]Swansea - 3rd, 66 points [LNB]Key man - Scott Sinclair. The winger has been electrifying since signing from Chelsea last summer and is a consistent threat to opposition defences because of his pace and finishing ability. [LNB] Promotion history - Won League One in 2008, having lost the division's play-off final in 2006.[LNB] Catch me if you can: Swansea forward Scott Sinclair (right) has been in superb form[LNB] [LNB]Cardiff - 4th, 63 points [LNB]Key man - Craig Bellamy. The firebrand has glittered in a division below what his talents are accustomed to. He can change a game in a second. [LNB]Promotion history - a run of play-off heartbreaks reached a climax last year with a 3-2 defeat to Blackpool in the final. [LNB] Hometown glory? Craig Bellamy is hoping to lead Cardiff into the Premier League[LNB]Leeds - 5th, 61 points [LNB]Key man - Jonny Howson. He may only be 22 but is the man others look to for inspiration. The club vice-captain has played in every league game this season and frequently wears the armband. [LNB]Promotion history - Second place in League One last season somewhat eased the pain of two play-off final defeats in the last five years.[LNB] Marching on together: Leeds are chasing a second successive promotion[LNB] [LNB]Nottingham Forest - 6th, 60 points [LNB]Key man - Lewis McGugan. Nottingham born and bred, the young midfielder can crack a terrific free-kick and is the club's leading scorer this season. [LNB]Promotion history - Gained automatic promotion to the Championship in 2008 after losing League One play-off semi-final the year before.[LNB] Pulling up trees: Nottingham Forest are in contention for promotion again[LNB] [LNB]Reading - 7th, 57 points (with a game in hand) [LNB]Key man - Shane Long. A quality striker with a nose for a goal, he holds the ball up superbly to allow for supporting players to join attacks.[LNB] Promotion history - Won the Championship in 2006 but were back from the Premier League two seasons later.[LNB] Touch of class: Reading striker Shane Long (left) has lit up the Championship this season[LNB]Burnley - 8th, 57 points (with a game in hand) [LNB]Key man - Chris Eagles. The ex-Manchester United man has established himself as a Burnley favourite by bringing trickery and flair to the team. [LNB]Promotion history - Won Championship play-off final in 2009 having finished fifth but were relegated after one season.[LNB] Does Eagles dare? Burnley star Chris (left) may be dreaming of promotion [LNB] [LNB]Sportsmail prediction [LNB]We have analysed each team's run-in and come up with these final positions. Burnley's match at home to Cardiff and Leeds's visit to QPR on the final day could be all-important. [LNB]1. QPR, 95 [LNB]2. Norwich, 82 [LNB]3. Swansea, 79 [LNB]4. Reading, 77 (better goal difference) [LNB]5. Cardiff, 77 [LNB]6. Leeds, 73 (better goal difference) [LNB]7. Burnley, 73 [LNB]8. Nottingham Forest, 70 [LNB] I'm not angry any more! Bellamy says he has found happiness at CardiffCharles Sale: Football League in fear of BBC switch-off after government cutsFreedman loving life in the fast lane as Eagles boss sets high targetsAs the Premier League survival race hots up, it's squeaky bum time![LNB] Explore more:People: Craig Bellamy, Lewis McGugan Places: Leeds, Cardiff, Norwich
