The five most in-form players heading into the Championship play-offs

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The 2024/25 campaign is heading into its final stretch, with the Championship play-offs set to begin on Thursday evening.

Bristol City welcome Sheffield United to Ashton Gate in the first of four semi-finals over the course of the next week, with Sunderland travelling to Coventry City’s CBS Arena 24 hours later as fifth meets fourth in the West Midlands.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	46	29	13	4	95	30	65	100
2	BurnleyBurnley	46	28	16	2	69	16	53	100
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	46	28	8	10	63	36	27	90
4	SunderlandSunderland	46	21	13	12	58	44	14	76
5	CoventryCoventry	46	20	9	17	64	58	6	69
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68

There are plenty of stories to be written by any one of the four sides, as the Blades look for an instant return to the top flight while the Black Cats look to end their eight-year stay outside the division.

Meanwhile, Coventry have not played in the Premier League since 2001 with Bristol City looking to play in the league for the first time since it was rebranded in 1992.

There are plenty of faces who could make an impact in the Championship play-offs over the next few weeks, and EFL Analysis has taken a look at the five most in-form players from the final few matches of the regular season.

The most in-form players heading into the Championship play-offs right now

Jack Rudoni – Coventry City

Where best to start than with the player who secured Coventry’s place in the top six on the final day of the campaign, as Jack Rudoni fired in twice to beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at home.

He’s picked up either a goal or an assist in 10 of his last 13 games in all competitions and he has been crucial to Frank Lampard’s side’s rise up the table since his arrival in November.

The 23-year-old found himself playing much deeper at the start of the season under Mark Robins, but he has been brought back to a more natural attacking midfield role in recent months and he will be vital to the Sky Blues’ chances of promotion.

Jason Knight – Bristol City

This season has been an incredible one for the Robins’ captain Jason Knight. He has played every single minute of the Robins’ Championship campaign and at just 24, he is showing the leadership needed to play in the Premier League.

Bristol City’s home form has played a major role in their top six finish, and the Republic of Ireland international has been crucial to ensuring that his team have performed in front of their own fans as he assisted Ross McCrorie in superb fashion to help level their game against Preston North End.

Knight has been an excellent example to his teammates in midfield in 2024/25, and his constant running makes him a key part of Liam Manning’s side.

Ross McCrorie – Bristol City

If Knight’s performance against Preston was not a great enough reason for Bristol City’s Championship play-off place, then Ross McCrorie went one further by scoring a brace at Ashton Gate at the weekend.

Goals from across the pitch have been crucial to the Robins’ success this season and the wing-back has been providing those in the last month and Manning will be hoping that he continues this run of form into Thursday’s game against Sheffield United.

There will be plenty of focus on the amount of protection the wing-backs give City’s centre-backs, with a home result needed ahead of the return fixture at Bramall Lane, and it would not be a surprise to see McCrorie’s role involve him going forward more than he goes back.

Michael Cooper – Sheffield United

Where would Sheffield United be without the performances of goalkeeper Michael Cooper this season? Signed for just £2m from Plymouth Argyle in the summer, as per BBC Sport, the shot-stopper has been impressive all campaign long.

He won the club’s player of the season award, and it’s clear to see why with 21 clean sheets to his name in 43 games – conceding just 33 times in the process.

His form has continued in the last few weeks, despite the Blades’ form dropping off and he will be incredibly important to Sheffield United fixing their torrid play-off record. Chris Wilder made the correct decision to sign him, and he could be the difference between promotion and heartbreak.

Bobby Thomas – Coventry City

While Rudoni has grabbed the plaudits in recent weeks, the defensive solidity of Bobby Thomas has been just as crucial to Coventry’s Championship play-off push.

He has been a rock at the back for much of this season, but the last couple of months have been extremely pleasing from a Sky Blues point of view for their number four and he has been at the heart of everything good that they have done.

Coventry have not quite had the leadership needed between the posts since Oliver Dovin’s injury, but Thomas has been able to help guide both Ben Wilson and Brad Collins to command their backline, and this will be crucial once again in the Championship play-offs.