EFL experts explain how Burnley could become ‘unstuck’ in promotion race, key Leeds United and Sheffield United factors outlined

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The top of the Championship is poised nicely as we approach the business end of the season following the last international break of 2024/25, with Burnley looking to break into the top two past Leeds United or Sheffield United.

There is a three-way race for automatic promotion and each side has set a relentless pace thus far, with Burnley third behind Daniel Farke’s side and Chris Wilder and his Blades team at the top.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57

The Whites have been first for 16 matchdays in a row now in the Championship heading into the international break, albeit with one win in four prior to their fixture this weekend against Swansea City.

The talent on display at each Championship team makes the race all the more exciting, but Scott Parker’s side have the most work to do during the final eight games to sneak in above one of their rivals.

• READ MORE: Championship pundit makes Leeds United ‘ten point gap’ claim over Sheffield United and Burnley as ‘stark’ contrast emerges

EFL experts predict Burnley to miss out on automatic promotion

Championship experts Justin Peach and Ryan Dilks believe the Clarets will fall short in the final fixtures during the run-in, and they have cited the reasons why.

Dilks said: “We’ll start off by revealing who we think is missing out on promotion.”

Peach responded: “I think it’ll be Burnley.”

Dilks added: “I have also gone Burnley. So, why don’t you think Burnley are going up automatically?”

Peach explained: “I just think they draw too many games. Defensively, it sets them up very nicely to be an automatic promotion contender — which they are.

“But I think you need a killer instinct to push for the top two, and it’s not something we have seen regularly enough this season for Burnley.

“Not regularly enough, anyway, to convince me that they are capable of overcoming Leeds and Sheffield United.

“Just for example, you look at Ipswich last season [and] how often did they score late in a game to win it? That’s the sort of thing I’m talking about.

“It’s not a negative, but I think just looking at how many draws they’ve had, it tells you that. They’ve had 15.”

Dilks expanded on that with his own explanation. He said: “The first thing for me is that I just think the other two are better; if we are boiling it down to as simple as that, then I think that’s the case.

“Leeds have the edge in terms of their squad. Sheffield United have the edge in terms of the manager. As we have said numerous times, he has been like the Chris Wilder of old this season.

“They [Burnley] can find themselves coming unstuck very easily. In terms of their remaining fixtures, they have got the hardest games based on league position out of the sides chasing automatics.

“Burnley are well in this race — I would by no means rule them out of getting automatically promoted — I just simply fancy the other two more than this Burnley side.”

• READ MORE: EFL Championship’s all-time top scorers as journeyman sneaks into top ten and Sheffield United legend tops the charts

Burnley’s momentum can’t be ignored in the promotion race

The eight-game run-in for promotion is bound to see things change hands multiple times for the sides involved, meaning mental toughness and resilience is required at this stage of the campaign.

James Trafford’s exceptional form has helped Burnley to break records, while their recent form has seen other Championship experts pile on the praise.

Burnley are unbeaten in 25 games and but attack has been questioned for much of the campaign. However, as you can see above — since consecutive 0-0 draws with Leeds and Portsmouth — it’s difficult to criticise them.

The Clarets’ have hit some form and momentum at the right time looking at their next two games, which come against play-off hopefuls Coventry City and Bristol City. Four or six points is a must to keep pace, but doing that could see them pip Leeds or Sheffield United by the time we get to May.