Championship preview

Brian McDermott: Could lead Reading to the top of the Championship with a win at St Mary's

The Championship title is on the line when Reading travel to leaders Southampton on Friday evening.

An astonishing run of 13 wins in 15 games has lifted Reading into the automatic promotion spots and level on points with Southampton.

And West Ham will be looking to take advantage of the two teams above them playing each other when they face Brighton at Upton Park the following day.

The play-off places will also be under the spotlight on Saturday with almost half of the teams in the division still in with a shout.

Malky Mackay's Cardiff will be aiming to bolster their play-off ambitions when they travel to Oakwell to face out-of-form Barnsley.

Birmingham can cement their fourth-place finish and push Bristol City perilously close to the drop zone with a home win.

Andy Thorn's Coventry will be hoping to take advantage of any help on offer from St Andrew's by getting a result away to mid-table Burnley.

Derby can put a dent in Middlesbrough and their fading promotion dream while keep their own unlikely hopes alive with a win at Pride Park.

In contrast to Boro, Leicester seem to have some momentum as they push for a top-six finish but their improved form will be put to the test at a resurgent Millwall.

Three defeats in a row appear to have ended any hopes Leeds had of sneaking into the play-offs but Neil Warnock will be looking to end that run of losses at home to Peterborough.

Hull ended their run of five defeats with a victory last time out and there is still time for them to extend their season if they can go to Watford and win.

Down at the bottom, there's a basement battle between Doncaster and Portsmouth in which both teams could be relegated upon the final whistle.

And in one of the few games between sides already sure to be in the Championship next season, Crystal Palace take on Ipswich at Selhurst Park.