There are only four matches remaining in the English Championship and while the top four have ever so slightly slipped clear of the chasing pack, the automatic promotion spots are still there for the taking.
The playoff spots are also going down to the wire and for those that miss out on the top two, they face an agonising series of matches to book a spot in the EPL, here's how the top eight shape up.
Bournemouth
Kit: Red and black
Their fans call them: The Cherries
How they play: A side that loves to attack and pass its way through opponents. A pleasure to watch when at its best, but is vulnerable against strong counter-attacking teams.
Star player: Callum Wilson - a 23 year-old striker of immense talent. Excellent in one-on-one situations and composed in front of goal.
The coach: Eddie Howe - a young tactician that is part of the new thinking in English coaching that possession is all-important.
Key to surviving the top flight: Keeping Howe at the helm and bolstering its defence.
Prediction: Automatic promotion followed by a respectable safe spot in EPL while continuing to entertain the fans - think Swansea 2011-2012.
The home straight: Reading (A), Sheffield Wednesday (H), Bolton (H), Charlton (H)
Banter ammo: The great George Best played four matches for Bournemouth in 1983
Norwich
Kit: Yellow and green
Their fans call them: The Canaries
How they play: A well-balanced team with plenty of top-level experience. It is strong all over the pitch and never gives in.
Star player: Cameron Jerome - The ex-Stoke and Birmingham City striker has netted 18 times for the Canaries this season, proving he still has the goalscoring touch.
The coach: Alex Neill - The 33 year-old Scot only took over in January, but has rejuvenated what was an underperforming side.
Key to surviving the top flight: Adding more creativity in midfield and keeping hold of its more experienced players.
Prediction: Narrowly missing out on automatic promotion before missing out in playoff final.
The home straight: Leeds (A), Middlesbrough (H), Rotherham (A), Fulham (H)
Banter ammo: Norwich is the only English team to have beaten Bayern Munich at the old Olympic Stadium, in 1993
Watford
Kit: Yellow and red
Their fans call them: The Hornets
How they play: A side that loves to attack and even put seven past Blackpool, but until recently struggled at the back.
Star player: Troy Deeney - The captain of the side leads from the front with his imposing presence and nack for finding the net. Was named March's Championship player of the month.
The coach: Slavisa Jokanovic - The Serbian boss only took over at the end of last year, but has done well to mould this talented group into disciplined attacking unit.
Key to surviving the top flight: Adding to its already talented squad using its excellent network of scouts and connection with Udinese.
Prediction: Automatic promotion while flirting with EPL relegation next season.
The home straight: Nottingham Forest (A), Birmingham City (H), Brighton (A), Sheffield Wednesday (H)
Banter ammo: Hollywood actor Mila Kunis could just be Watford's biggest fan
Middlesbrough
Kit: Red and white
Their fans call them: 'Boro
How they play: A strong defensive unit that counter attacks very well, but can also be strong in possession.
Star player: Patrick Bamford - The 21 year-old striker recently equalled Fabrizio Ravanelli's club record of 16 goals in a season.
The coach: Aitor Karanka - Jose Mourinho's former assistant at Real Madrid is very much in the mould of the 'Special One' tactically. Strong defensively, but can also guide his team in attack.
Key to surviving the top flight: Bringing in more creativity in midfield and adding more potency to its front line.
Prediction: Playoff final triumph followed by a safe low to mid-table EPL finish.
The home straight: Wolverhampton (H), Norwich (A), Fulham (A), Brighton (H)
Banter ammo: Nine Australians have played for 'boro: Brad Jones, Scott McDonald, Paul Okon, Mark Schwarzer, Tony Vidmar, Mark Viduka, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams, Peter Wilson
Derby County
Kit: White and black
Their fans call them: The Rams
How they play: A well-balanced and talented squad that is equally adept at attacking its opponent as it is holding on to a result.
Star player: Thomas Ince - Has only been on loan from Hull since January but the exciting winger has already scored seven goals and produced some eye-catching performances.
The coach: Steve McClaren - The ex-England manager appeared to be reviving his career at the well-organised Derby, but recent results have critics question his coaching ability.
Key to surviving the top flight: Keeping hold of Ince and bolstering its defence.
Prediction: First round playoff defeat.
The home straight: Blackpool (H), Huddersfield (A), Millwall (A), Reading (H)
Banter ammo: Timothy Dalton, of James Bond fame, is a Derby County fan
Ipswich Town
Kit: Blue and white
Their fans call them: The tractor boys
How they play: A side that builds on a solid and aggressive defence and is very direct in attack.
Star player: Daryl Murphy - With very few goals coming from midfield, Ipswich has been reliant on its frontment and Murphy has scored 23 of the side's 64 goals this campaign.
The coach: Mick McCarthy - An experienced old-school manager who believes in keeping things tight at the back and moving the ball forward as quickly as possible.
Key to surviving the top flight: Bringing in more creativity in midfield and adding more dimensions to its attack.
Prediction: Narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
The home straight: Cardiff (H), Wolverhampton (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Blackburn Rovers (A)
Banter ammo: Ipswich players John Wark, Russell Osman, Robin Turner, Laurie Sivell and Kevin O'Callaghan appeared in the 1981 Sylvester Stallone film 'Escape to Victory', which also starred Pele.
Brentford
Kit: Red, white and black
What their fans call them: The Bees
How they play: A free-flowing attacking side that throws caution to the wind and isn't too worried about conceding goals.
Star player: Ramallo Jota - A classy and creative Spanish midfielder who can play out wide or in the middle. The 23 year-old was on the books at Real Madrid two years ago.
The coach: Mark Warburton - Despite leading the team to promotion last season and within reach of the playoffs this campaign, Warburton was told his contract wouldn't be renewed.
Key to surviving the top flight: Bolstering its defensive stocks and adding more top-level experience to its squad.
Prediction: First round playoff defeat.
The home straight: Sheffield Wednesday (A), Bolton (H), Reading (A), Wigan (H)
Banter ammo: Ex-Bees chairman Dan Tana owns a popular Hollywood eatery, making Brentford a hit with the likes of superstar actress Cameron Diaz.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Kit: Orange and black
What their fans call them: Wolves
How they play: An attack-minded side that tends to concede goals, but is capable of outscoring most opponents.
Star player: Bakary Sako - The ex-Saint Etienne winger is an excitement machine and has scored 13 goals this season.
The coach: Kenny Jackett - An experienced football league manager that tends to get the best out of his group of players.
Key to surviving the top flight: Adding more depth to its squad and strengthening its defence.
Prediction: Missing out on the playoffs.
The home straight: Middlesbrough (A), Ipswich (H), Wigan (A), Millwall (H)
Banter ammo: Wolves were the first English club to reach 7,000 league goals. Korea Republic legend Seol Ki-Hyun scored number 7,000.
