Leeds United and Sheffield United look to be challenging for the second automatic promotion spot.
Leeds United lost their biggest game of the season last week.
Victory over Sheffield United would’ve given Marcelo Bielsa’s side a five-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots with eight Championship games left.
But the Whites lost 1-0 to United at Elland Road to slip to third spot, one point behind the Blades.
There is still plenty of football left and Gary Rowett believes that Leeds could still go up – mainly because they’re not as reliant on one goalscorer as Chris Wilder’s side are.
Five players for the Elland Road side have scored more than five Championship goals this season – Ezgjan Alioski, Pablo Hernandez, Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich.
In contrast, Wilder’s side are heavily reliant on 24-goal Billy Sharp, who is one of only two players in his squad to score more than five – the other being David McGoldrick.
And former Derby and Stoke City boss Rowett told The Daily Star that Sheffield United are one injury to Sharp away from potential disaster.
He said: “Leeds share their goals around more – and that could be the key. It could come down to a couple of injuries. What would happen to Sheffield United if Billy Sharp picked up a knock, for instance?
“Chris Wilder has assembled a rough and ready group who look capable of staying the course. But could they cope without Sharp?
“Obviously, it might not come to that. Honestly? I wouldn’t like to call it at this stage.”
Norwich City have a five-point cushion from Leeds and that should be enough to see them safely promoted. Then again, this is the Championship and in divisions as unpredictable as this, nothing is certain.
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