As the Championship season enters its final stretch following the last international break of 2024/25, the race for automatic promotion is heating up.

Burnley are pushing to break into the top two, battling Leeds United and Sheffield United for a coveted spot in the Premier League.

Currently sitting third, Burnley are chasing Daniel Farke’s Leeds and Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, who have maintained a relentless pace at the top.

Leeds have held first place for “16 matchdays in a row” heading into the international break, despite a recent dip in form, winning just one of their last four matches. Their upcoming fixture against Swansea City will be crucial in maintaining momentum.

Championship experts Justin Peach and Ryan Dilks believe Burnley will ultimately fall short in their bid for automatic promotion. They outlined their reasons for this prediction in a recent discussion.

Dilks stated: “We’ll start off by revealing who we think is missing out on promotion.”

Peach responded: “I think it’ll be Burnley.”

Agreeing with his colleague, Dilks added: “I have also gone Burnley. So, why don’t you think Burnley are going up automatically?”

Key Concerns for Burnley’s Promotion Hopes

Peach elaborated on his reasoning: “I just think they draw too many games. Defensively, it sets them up very nicely to be an automatic promotion contender which they are.”

“But I think you need a killer instinct to push for the top two, and it’s not something we have seen regularly enough this season for Burnley.”

He pointed to past promotion-winning teams as an example: “Just for example, you look at Ipswich last season [and] how often did they score late in a game to win it? That’s the sort of thing I’m talking about.”

Peach emphasized that while Burnley’s defensive structure is strong, their tendency to settle for draws may cost them: “It’s not a negative, but I think just looking at how many draws they’ve had, it tells you that. They’ve had 15.”

With just eight games remaining, Burnley will need to find that winning edge if they are to leapfrog Leeds or Sheffield United and secure automatic promotion.

Dilks expanded on that with his own explanation. He said: “The first thing for me is that I just think the other two are better; if we are boiling it down to as simple as that, then I think that’s the case.

“Leeds have the edge in terms of their squad. Sheffield United have the edge in terms of the manager. As we have said numerous times, he has been like the Chris Wilder of old this season.

“They [Burnley] can find themselves coming unstuck very easily. In terms of their remaining fixtures, they have got the hardest games based on league position out of the sides chasing automatics.

“Burnley are well in this race I would by no means rule them out of getting automatically promoted I just simply fancy the other two more than this Burnley side.”

Burnley’s Momentum Can’t Be Ignored in the Promotion Race

With just eight games remaining in the battle for promotion, the race is set to take several twists and turns.

At this stage of the season, mental toughness and resilience are crucial for any team hoping to secure a spot in the Premier League.

Burnley’s impressive form has drawn plenty of attention, with James Trafford’s exceptional performances playing a key role in their success.

His contributions have helped the Clarets break records, and their unbeaten run has earned praise from Championship experts.

Currently, Burnley are unbeaten in “25 games,” and while their attacking output has been questioned at times this season, their recent performances have silenced many critics. Since back-to-back “0-0 draws with Leeds and Portsmouth,” the Clarets have found their rhythm in front of goal, making it difficult to find fault in their approach.

Momentum is everything at this stage of the campaign, and Burnley appear to be hitting top form at exactly the right time.

Their next two fixtures against play-off hopefuls Coventry City and Bristol City will be pivotal. Securing “four or six points” from these matches is essential to keep pace with Leeds and Sheffield United.

If they can maintain this level of performance, Burnley could well overtake one of their rivals by the time May arrives.

Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to sign Genoa defender Koni De Winter, a player who has been heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Belgian centre-back has impressed in Serie A, drawing interest from several top European clubs.

Tottenham, currently struggling under Ange Postecoglou in his second season, have faced multiple challenges, including a significant injury crisis over the past few months.

Despite reinforcements arriving in January such as Antonin Kinsky, Mathys Tel, and Kevin Danso the North London club still appears keen on bolstering its defensive ranks.

De Winter, 22, has developed significantly at Genoa since moving from Juventus in 2023 initially on loan before a permanent transfer set for summer 2024.

He has made 49 appearances for the Italian side, scoring three goals. However, a hamstring injury has limited his involvement this season, restricting him to just 16 Serie A starts.

Despite this setback, his performances have been strong enough to attract interest from major clubs.

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are now monitoring De Winter as they prepare for a summer overhaul.

With Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans set to leave on free transfers, bolstering the defence is a key priority for United’s prospective new manager, Ruben Amorim.

The Belgian defender, valued at around €30-35 million, has proven to be a versatile asset, excelling both as a centre-back and as a right-back when needed.

Both Tottenham and Manchester United have endured disappointing Premier League campaigns, currently sitting 14th and 13th in the table, respectively.

However, both teams have reached the Europa League quarter-finals, making the competition a crucial opportunity to salvage their seasons.

Securing a Champions League spot through European success could give either club a competitive edge in the race to sign De Winter.

The Belgian defender has indicated that his decision will be based on the most ambitious sporting project available to him, making it even more essential for Tottenham to push for Europa League glory if they wish to outmaneuver Manchester United in securing his signature this summer.

Man United’s unique Jadon Sancho agreement gives Ruben Amorim perfect transfer plan

Jadon Sancho’s future remains uncertain as Chelsea are reportedly reconsidering their obligation to make his loan move from Manchester United permanent.

The winger joined Chelsea last summer with a clause requiring the Blues to buy him for £25 million if they finish above 14th in the Premier League.

However, recent reports suggest Chelsea are now considering paying a penalty fee to exit the agreement.

According to the i newspaper, Stamford Bridge officials are weighing up this option, which would allow them to avoid committing to Sancho’s reported £250,000-a-week wages.

Chelsea have already secured a deal for Sporting Clube de Portugal winger Geovany Quenda, further complicating Sancho’s prospects of staying.

The 17-year-old will face competition from Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Mykhailo Mudryk for a place in the squad. Sancho’s inconsistent performances have reportedly made Chelsea hesitant to finalize his permanent move, despite a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old has managed just two goals and one assist in 29 appearances across all competitions this season.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are planning for next season without Sancho. Club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously identified the former Borussia Dortmund star as one of the players who were either “overpriced” or “not good enough.” He told the BBC: “For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17m to buy him in the summer.”

If Chelsea ultimately back out of their obligation, United will need to find another buyer for Sancho.

The club would benefit financially from his permanent exit, especially with new manager Ruben Amorim expected to work under a restricted transfer budget.

Additionally, receiving a penalty fee from Chelsea could further support United’s financial planning.

Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has voiced doubts about Sancho’s long-term future at the club, stating that the winger needs to step up his performances.

“He’s a talented player, everybody knows this, but we don’t know why he can’t perform and can’t show what he can do,” Gallas said.

“At Dortmund, he was magnificent. At Manchester United it didn’t work well for him. “He came to Chelsea and at the beginning we saw that Sancho from Dortmund, but then he disappeared.

“I don’t know what the problem is, but at the moment he can’t stay at Chelsea because he has to do more.

“When you play in the Premier League you have to play every game at the highest level. It’s not easy, but you can’t just play well for a few games and then chill out.”

With Chelsea’s reluctance to keep Sancho, United face a crucial summer decision.

Whether they can offload him elsewhere or capitalize on Chelsea’s potential penalty payment, the situation presents both challenges and opportunities for the club as they restructure under new leadership.

Dean Huijsen’s rise in the Premier League has Juventus watching closely, though not for the reasons fans might hope.

After Thiago Motta decided to sell him to raise funds for new signings, the young defender has flourished at Bournemouth, making that decision look more questionable by the day.

Huijsen’s talent is undeniable. Despite not having the most imposing physique, he plays with fearlessness and instinct, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike.

His performances continue to impress, proving he was ready for top-level football.

Last season, he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at AS Roma.

While a move to a smaller club like Frosinone might have guaranteed more minutes, Roma offered him exposure to higher-level competition.

That gamble has paid off, as he has now become one of Bournemouth’s standout defenders.

His rapid development hasn’t gone unnoticed. Some of the biggest clubs in world football are now circling, and with a £50 million release clause, a summer move looks increasingly likely.

Juventus, though no longer in the picture for his return, have a financial stake in his future. Thanks to a 10% sell-on clause, they stand to earn £5 million if his release clause is met.

Looking back, Juventus may regret letting Huijsen go. His Premier League performances suggest he could have been a key player in Turin.

Instead, they’re left to watch from afar as he continues his meteoric rise.