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Promotion Contenders

With six teams in the running and only three spots available, every point from here on in will be crucial for promotion aspirants. Not only do you advance to the top tier of English football but the financial gain is just as a strong incentive.

With the top two automatically gaining promotion, the final spot is down to four teams that occupy positions 3-6 at season's end. They then begin a play-off and the winning team at Wembley will join the the other nineteen teams for the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season.

The financial reward for these teams are a minimum of $100M, even if they get relegated back to the Championship the following season, When QPR we relegated in 2014/15, their revenue just from the TV rights deal was $106M. All that for finishing last and being relegated to the Championship.

Still with eleven, and for some teams twelve games remaining, we examine the top teams in contention to be promoted to the Premier League.

Newcastle United

The Magpies have yo-yoed between the Championship and the Premier League in the last decade and even the appointment of Rafa Benitez towards the end of last season, couldn't save them from relegation. To be able to hang onto such a successful manager has been key in their successes this season.

United have countered the loss of Moussa Sissoko to Tottenham, arguably their best player last season, extremely well and currently sit atop the table after their recent victory over third placed Huddersfield.

They have scored the most and conceded the least amount of goals, underlining their domination at both ends of the park.

Newcastle have been short odds all season to gain instant redemption and with an 11 point buffer to 3rd place, you would be a silly man betting against their promotion.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. The Seagulls were extremely unlucky not the gain promotion last season after finishing outside the automatic promotion positions by just 2 goals on goal difference. They then went on to lose to Sheffield Wednesday in the Playoff Semi Final after having four players injured in the first leg. That added to a further two semi-final defeats in the previous three season.

They have shaken off that disappointment and put themselves in a solid position to take the next step this season. Brighton currently sits 2nd, six points clear of 3rd although Huddersfield does have a game in hand.

Albion have never made it to the Premier League and it would be a fairy-tale story to see them lining up against opposition sides in the Premier League. Still a very realistic opportunity.

Huddersfield Town

The David Wagner led team have exceeded everyone's expectations this season with many touting them as possible relegation battlers. With Manchester City loanee Aaron Mooy controlling the game in the middle of the park, the Terriers have well and truly punched above their weight. Huddersfield have lifted themselves to third in the League with an outside chance of an automatic promotion position in sight.

Australian Aaron Mooy has been instrumental in midfield with the loanee showing there's a good chance he won't stay in the Championship even if Huddersfield don't gain promotion. If the Terriers do gain promotion, I am sure that Wagner will do all he can to make Mooy's move permanent.

The Terriers have battled in front of goal but have managed to grind out results, what's needed to challenge for automatic promotion.

Leeds United

Leeds have been in the headlines in recent times more-so for the amount

of managers they have been through rather than their success. Their

eccentric Italian owner Massimo Cellino has sacked 7 managers in only 3 years since taking ownership of the club. Garry Monk is currently steering the ship and Leeds once again have the opportunity to return to the Premier League where they were once a shining light.

Not since they were relegated in 2003/04 have Leeds had a better chance for promotion. They now sit fourth and have a buffer of 8 points on 7th placed Fulham, meaning they are a great chance to at least be vying for the play-off positions come seasons end.

Reading

The Royals were last in the Premier League back in 2012/13 and immediately returned the the Championship after finishing 19th that season. They have quietly gone under the radar and have been a suprise

packet somewhat wuth them finishing 19th and 17th in the preceeding

in the preceding seasons.

Former Dutch international Jaap Stam, now Manager, dipped into the transfer market for experienced Premier League pair Tiago Ilori and Tyler Blackett whilst also handing the armband to Paul McShane.

This has seen the Royals rocket up the ladder this season and puts them squarely in the fight via the Playoff system.

Sheffield Wednesday

It has been a long time between drinks for Wednesday, not seeing the heights of the Premier League since 1999/00.

Middlesborough marksman Jordan Rhodes was added in the recent transfer window, hoping to bring with him his excellent scoring record in the Championship.

With just a five point buffer to Fulham, who have a game in hand, Wednesday will be kept on their toes all the way to the final day to ensure they remain in the Playoff positions.


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