The race to the Premier League!

The second half of the season is well under way, but which teams will win those exclusive spots to the top flight of English football?

You can't look past league leaders QPR. Under the managerial expertise of Neil Warnock and not to mention some sizable funding they find themselves leading the pack being 5 points clear at the top of the Championship. With January signings of Ismael Miller, Wayne Routledge and Pacal Chimbonda it is hard to imagine that they will concede their sizable lead at the top. However, with many teams chasing, the pressure is on for Warnock's men.

The other main contenders include; Cardiff City, Norwich City, Swansea City, The one and only Leeds United and finally Nottingham Forest. These teams currently occupy the play-off places aside from Cardiff who are sitting pretty in second.

Cardiff. A wealth of talent embodies the Welsh side but can Dave Jones harness the consistency required to earn a top two finish? With the attacking prowess of Craig Bellamy, Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra and new signing Jon Parkin spearheading the front line, it takes the best defences to keep out a formidable line up.

Newly promoted Norwich and Leeds have been no push overs on their return to the second tier, but can they make it back to back promotions? Leeds. Simon Grayson's young squad are far proceeding expectations so far this season. United fans will see this run of form as no surprise with high expectations constantly set. They currently sit 5th in the league ladder with a healthy 45 points. The form of Luciano Becchio is highly regarded as a key reason for Leeds' success so far this term, with the Argentine bagging 13 goals. Leeds have been the most enthralling side to watch this season with an unrivalled 97 goals being scored in their games this term. Grayson has untangled the complex knot that was Leeds United in League One and now they are eying up a return to the league that has not graced their presence since 2003.

Nottingham Forest. A proud history follows them but all that is forgotten now as they find themselves in a fight to get out of the Championship. Many of their games fell foul of the big freeze and find themselves only having played 25 games giving them games in hand on all competitors. If they successively record wins in these games they will rocket themselves from 6th to 2nd. Serious contenders in a thrilling title race.

Outsiders. Teams to keep an eye on should be Watford, Leicester and Hull. Watford occupy 7th place and like Forest hold games in hand on rival teams, Danny Graham is the gem at Vicarage Road smashing 15 goals earning him the title of the leagues top marksman. Leicester under the new management of Sven Goran Eriksson have had the license to spend the big bucks and have brought in Everton striker Yakubu on loan. Can the experience on and off the pitch at the Walkers Stadium smuggle the Foxes into the play off spots. Finally Hull, new owners at the KC has allowed Nigel Pearson to open the cheque book bringing in several loanees aswell as dynamic striker Matty Fryatt. The Tigers have been in a rich vain of form and could be the dark horse in the Championship as they also look to snatch a play off place.

My Promotion Prediction!

Champions - QPR
Runners Up - Nottingham Forrest
Play-Off Champions - Leeds United