Sky Sports pundits make ‘very worrying’ Sheffield United claim amid Burnley and Leeds United praise

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It’s all heating up at the top yet again after the 42nd round of fixtures in the Championship, with Leeds United and Burnley consolidating their places inside the top two and Sheffield United losing ground.

Just a few weeks ago, the Championship title looked like it would be heading to Leeds before they dropped down to third. Of course, there are numerous factors required to ‘get over the line’ at the top, but it looked as though they were losing their nerve.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	42	25	13	4	82	29	53	88
2	BurnleyBurnley	42	24	16	2	57	13	44	88
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	42	26	7	9	57	33	24	83

While the Blades faltered away at Plymouth Argyle, Burnley secured a big three points at home to Norwich City to claim top spot momentarily. Suffice to say, the state of play in the Championship today is very different to how it looked just a week ago, never mind a month ago.

Leeds looked like falling apart again, just like last season, but fans three consecutive defeats for the Blades leaves Leeds in control at the top of the table, and Burnley equally as secure with goal difference the only problem.

• READ MORE: EFL expert’s grim prediction for Burnley if they get promoted to the Premier League this season

Sky Sports pundits outline automatic promotion race picture

There’s no denying that Leeds United were crumbling under the pressure again after one win in six. But two wins in a row makes the outlook much more positive at the top, in spite of issues being raised by Jobi McAnuff for Leeds’ demise.

David Prutton has since spoken in the Sky Sports studio and asked: “Which then means, we have got Easter coming up, doesn’t it? We’ve got two games back-to-back with the Friday and the Monday slate of games. We looked at it before with the run-in and who has got the ability to get over the line and how it looks with regards to the games left.

“It’s about getting over the line, isn’t it. We’ve got Sheffield United facing Burnley and Leeds sat at the very top. Does this have the feel now, given the week that Sheffield United have had, of how it looks at the end of the season?”

Neil Dewsnip said: “They’ve definitely got their hands full, haven’t they? They definitely have to be Burnley, I would have thought. They may just have given themselves a little bit too much to do after today.”

Michael Brown added: “The staggering thing, because we were trying to do the maths as we were watching this, 96 points will be enough to get one of these teams over the line — particularly Leeds and Burnley. The levels have been absolutely staggering, haven’t they?

“That does change the momentum if you have them [the points] already. I think the pressure changes when you have already got them on the board. But, you know, full credit to all these teams. Burnley were a side getting criticised for not conceding goals and being a little bit boring.

“All three managers understand it, have the experience, and we always knew there was going to be a twist. It’s going to continue going and can we see a switch now? It’s going to be a lot tougher for Sheffield United. Leeds United — you look at that run-in — they should be getting the results.”

Curtis Davies added: “With four games left they [Sheffield United] need to win two more games than the others. I don’t see it happening. It’s strange, I sat here last week saying that it’s Sheffield United’s now to go and lose.

“I can’t believe I’m sitting here a week later and they’ve lost three games — to the teams they’ve lost them to, too. No disrespect but they have lost those three games at such a crucial time in the season. It’s very worrying for Sheffield United.”

• READ MORE: Reaction emerges to hilarious Hannibal Mejbri moment fans ‘love’ in Burnley 2-1 Norwich City

What Opta’s supercomputer says about the promotion race

No one can truly see the future, but the Opta supercomputer has given it a good go and predicted what the final Championship table will look like after 46 games, and the picture looks excellent for Burnley and Leeds.

With four games left, we’re all desperate for a title race that goes to the final day, but it’s unlikely now unless a collapse occurs for Burnley or Leeds. We have expected for a while now that the top three’s final run-in would all hinge on that clash between Sheffield United and Burnley on April 21, though.

The fact both sides will be terrified of losing threatened to make it a drab affair, but Sheffield United’s must win mentality hopefully makes it an entertaining affair on Easter Monday.