Play-off battle is going Town to the wire!

THE Championship promotion race is moving into the home straight.

With just six points separating eight teams from Luton in third to Millwall in 10th, it promises to be a rollercoaster run-in. Can Town bounce back from their setbacks from the break?

Ahead of the run-in, we got the lowdown from reporters who cover all of the clubs involved to gauge the mood and to get their top-six predictions.

With Fulham away and gone at the top and looking certain to lift the Championship crown, we focused on Bournemouth in second down to Millwall in 10th...

JACOB TANSWELL, DORSET LIVE:

If you are an outside observer, the mood around Bournemouth is slightly strange.

They’ve been in the top two since August and have, largely, had Premier League destiny in their own hands. But recent months have seen a disconnect between the Cherries fanbase and manager Scott Parker, where raised expectations - because of the depth of the squad - have been their worst enemy.

Draws and defeats to lowertable sides and, most significantly, the style of football Parker has implemented has been viewed as somewhat tedious.

Bournemouth do have several key men who have been critical this season. With 23 goals, Dominic Solanke is enjoying his best campaign, and what he does in his general play is so vital for how Parker wants to play.

But it’s Mark Travers at the other end who has been the standout performer. He’s had a tendency to make key saves at key times and ahead of a fixture list that see them play 10 times in 36 days, including against Sheffield United, Blackburn and Fulham, the Irish shot-stopper will be crucial.

JACOB’S TOP SIX:

Fulham, Bournemouth, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, Luton, Middlesbrough.

Sheff Utd Blackburn Middlesbrough QPR

Nottm Forest Millwall Coventry

West Brom Blackpool Preston

Stoke Swansea Cardiff

Bristol City Birmingham Hull

Reading Barnsley Peterborough Derby

and while it’s come earlier than we expected, the trajectory has been meticulously planned and executed with hard work and honesty so it leaves us feeling excited and that the pressure is off.

Luton is very much a team that produces as a team, but we certainly have some players you’d put on the teamsheet first. That consists of Kal Naismith, Allan Campbell and Elijah Adebayo – taking nothing from the rest of the