Leeds and Burnley have taken significant steps towards securing promotion to the Premier League, maintaining a five-point lead over third-placed Sheffield United at the top of the Championship. Burnley came from behind to win 2-1 at Watford, with Zian Flemming and Josh Brownhill scoring crucial goals. This victory extended the Clarets’ unbeaten run to 30 league games, a club record.
“We’re very close now,” said Burnley manager Scott Parker. “On Monday night, we can get this done. Hopefully, we can go and get the result.” Leeds, meanwhile, moved to the top of the table on goal difference after a 1-0 win at Oxford, with Manor Solomon’s 33rd-minute goal proving decisive.
Leeds will also secure promotion if they beat Stoke on Monday and Burnley fail to win against Sheffield United. Sheffield United kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Cardiff, thanks to goals from Gustavo Hamer and Ben Brereton Diaz. “It was absolutely vital we got the three points to keep the pressure on the teams above us,” said Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder.
In other Championship matches, Bristol City opened a four-point cushion in the battle for a play-off spot with a 2-1 win over Sunderland. Frank Lampard’s Coventry beat West Brom 2-0 to remain sixth, while Middlesbrough needed a stoppage-time penalty to beat Plymouth 2-1 and stay in the hunt for the play-offs. Luton gave themselves a boost in their fight against relegation with a 1-0 win at Derby.
With the Championship nearing its climax, these results have set the stage for an intriguing final matchday, with promotion and play-off spots hanging in the balance. Burnley and Leeds will look to seal their Premier League returns, while Sheffield United will aim to pip one of the top two teams to the automatic promotion spots.