COLUMN INCHES REMAIN devoted to the Premier League title race (or what’s left of it) but the real battle is taking place in the tier directly below.
With just two rounds of fixtures remaining, three sides are level on points at the top.
One will inevitably miss out on automatic promotion and be forced into the lottery of the play-offs.
Sean Dyche’s Burnley lead the way but only on goal difference. And, you’ve guessed it, things are exceptionally close on that front too.
The Clarets are on +33, Middlesbrough +32 and Brighton +30.
With such little football left to play, there’s a genuine chance that another tie-breaker may have to be used to separate the top three.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Chris Hughton’s Brighton have found the net 70 times this season while the next best is Burnley on 68 and then Middlesbrough further back on 60.
In terms of their respective run-ins, it appears that Burnley have it easier.
They face mid-table QPR next Monday and then already-relegated Charlton on the final day.
For Brighton and Boro, it’s an intriguing finale.
The Seagulls’ next assignment is against fifth-placed Derby while Aitor Karanka’s side are next in action against Birmingham on Friday.
And then, of course, on the deciding afternoon, it’s Middlesbrough versus Brighton at the Riverside – in what will surely be a winner-takes-all affair.
Keep an abacus handy because the numbers may need to get crunched when the dust eventually settles.
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