Former Sheffield United Cult Heroes Could Impact Championship Promotion Race This Weekend | OneFootball

This weekend promises high-stakes drama in the Championship, with the battle at the top intensifying and promotion contenders looking to take a step closer to the Premier League, as yet more twists and turns threaten to manifest.

Burnley kick things off under the lights at Turf Moor on Friday night, hosting Norwich City, who still have minimal hope of making the play-offs, in a crucial clash that could see the Clarets leapfrog into first place, at least temporarily.

Scott Parker’s men have been outstanding at home this season, going unbeaten, and this is largely down to their outrageous defensive record, conceding just five goals in 20 home matches. A win for Burnley would pile pressure on the other two teams involved in the automatic promotion race, setting the tone for an intense Saturday lunchtime.

Sheffield United travel to Home Park to face Plymouth Argyle, while Leeds United welcome Preston North End to Elland Road. For the Blades, it’s a golden opportunity to get back on track after suffering two defeats in a row. Argyle, sitting at the foot of the table, come into this one off the back of a 3-0 defeat.

Leeds, meanwhile, are the best home side in the second tier, accumulating 49 points in 20 games. Daniel Farke will be demanding nothing less than three points against a Preston side that are seven points above the relegation zone with five games to go.

Of course, Sheffield United’s former management staff of Paul Heckingbottom and Stuart McCall could enhance their reputation amongst the Blades’ faithful if they were to nick points in West Yorkshire on Saturday. But United must handle their own business as well.

Will the Championship Throw Out More Twists in the Promotion Race?

This past week just typifies the state of the Championship at this stage of the season; at the start of this three-game week, the Blades were sitting pretty at the top of the table with a two-point cushion to third-place Leeds at the time.

Two games later, the Whites are now top of the league, level on points with Burnley who are second, and United’s back-to-back losses have seen them slip to third and two points off the top.

With five games to go, anything is possible. And how many times have we seen play-off and promotion hopes be shattered in the Easter weekend? For those wanting to get a taste of the action up close and personal, there are still tickets up for grabs for the remaining Championship fixtures.