With the Sky Bet Championship journey set to continue this month, here's a club-by-club rundown of the season so far...
From Leeds United to Luton Town, here's an overview of all 24 Championship teams and how they've faired this season, leaving you with everything you need to know ahead of the restart!
Leeds United
Nickname: The Whites
Manager: Marcelo Bielsa
Current position: 1st
Top scorer: Patrick Bamford (13)
Player to watch: Kalvin Phillips
Leeds United have responded to missing out on promotion last season in superb fashion, by being the team to beat this season. Sat pretty at the top of the table, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been involved in numerous classic games already this season, most notable their 5-4 win at Birmingham City back in December.
Striker Patrick Bamford has picked up where Kemar Roofe left off before his departure to Belgian side Anderlecht at the start of the season, and with players such as Kalvin Phillips, Jack Harrison and Pablo Hernandez around him, there’s no wonder he has 13 goals to his name this campaign.
West Bromwich Albion
Nickname: The Baggies
Manager: Slaven Billic
Current position: 2nd
Top scorer: Hal Robson-Kanu (10)
Player to watch: Matheus Pereira
Despite losing less games than league leaders Leeds United, West Brom side find themselves just a single point behind the Yorkshire side.
Goals throughout the team have impacted heavily in their standings in the Championship thus far and whilst manager Slaven Bilic may have preferred a stand-out goalscorer overall, with nine games still to play, the Baggies are on course for automatic promotion.
Fulham
Nickname: The Whites
Manager: Scott Parker
Current position: 3rd
Top scorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic (23)
Player to watch: Tom Cairney
After suffering relegation from the Premier League last season, Scott Parker set his sights early on promotion in his first full season as the Whites boss, after his step up from coach to manager.
With the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Tom Cairney staying on at Craven Cottage, Fulham have mounted a successful promotion challenge so far, sitting just six points behind second-placed West Brom. With Championship top scorer Mitrovic leading the line, they’ll be keen to keep the pressure on those above.
Brentford
Nickname: The Bees
Manager: Thomas Frank
Current position: 4th
Top scorer: Ollie Watkins (22)
Player to watch: Bryan Mbeumo
Finishing in the top-half of the Championship last season was an achievement for Thomas Frank after a turbulent start under his leadership, but the 46-year-old has silenced any doubters, defying the odds with performances this campaign.
Led by an outstanding attacking trio consisting of Saïd Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins (BMW), who have scored 46 of the Bees’ 64 goals this season, Brentford have a real chance of promotion once the season restarts, and would be the perfect way to say farewell to Griffin Park as the Bees move to a new stadium for the 2020/21 season.
Nottingham Forest
Nickname: Forest
Manager: Sabri Lamouchi
Current position: 5th
Top scorer: Lewis Grabban (17)
Player to watch: Joe Lolley
Another manager who is taking charge of an English team for the first time in his managerial career, Sabri Lamouchi has enjoyed his start to English football.
The Frenchman has scooped two Manager of the Month awards during his maiden season at the helm, and will be hoping that the restart will see a return in form after only one win in five previous outings before the break.
Lewis Grabban and Joe Lolley have once again been pivotal to this Forest side in the Sky Bet Championship, Lamouchi will rely heavily on their pedigree in the final nine games of this 19/20 campaign.
Preston North End
Nickname: The Lilywhites
Manager: Alex Neil
Current position: 6th
Top scorer: Daniel Johnson & Tom Barkhuizen (11)
Player to watch: Josh Harrop
It’s certainly been a season to remember so far for the Lilywhites who find themselves in the final Play-Off spot of the Sky Bet Championship. Victory over arch-rivals Blackburn Rovers in emphatic fashion at Deepdale, as well as victories over promotion rivals Brentford and Fulham have given PNE fans some memorable moments already.
And they don’t want the good times to end there. With some difficult games to play against top-of-the-table rivals, it will be a real achievement for Alex Neil’s men to get the job done and finish in the Play-Off spots.
Bristol City
Nickname: The Robins
Manager: Lee Johnson
Current position: 7th
Top scorer: Famara Diédhiou (12)
Player to watch: Andreas Weimann
It's been somewhat of a rollercoaster season for Lee Johnson’s side this season, with no-win in their last five outings before the enforced break highlighting that very fact.
The Robins are a single point behind Preston North End who, as mentioned, occupy that final Play-Off spot, and depending on how the rest of the season plays out, we could see a winner-takes-all match on the final day of the season as the two sides face each other.
Millwall
Nickname: The Lions
Manager: Gary Rowett
Current position: 8th
Top scorer: Matt Smith (12)
Player to watch: Jed Wallace
After Neil Harris ended his reign as Millwall manager back in October, Gary Rowett took the hot seat at The Den and has not looked back since. An impressive six losses in 26 games under Rowett’s leadership has seen the Lions shoot up the standings, giving them a more than healthy chance at a Play-Off spot.
Trio Matt Smith, Tom Bradshaw and Jed Wallace have 32 goals and 14 assists between them, and with majority of their remaining games against teams in the bottom half of the division, they will more than fancy their chances of sneaking into the Play-Offs.
Cardiff City
Nickname: The Bluebirds
Manager: Neil Harris
Current position: 9th
Top scorer: Callum Paterson & Lee Tomlin (7)
Player to watch: Josh Murphy
Red hot on the tail of his former employers, Neil Harris and his Cardiff City boys have also been very hard to beat since the arrival of 42-year old. In one of the most impressive games of the season for the neutral, that fighting mentality instilled by Harris was there for all to see at Elland Road against Leeds United back in December.
After going 3-0 down with more than half-an-hour of the game remaining, no-one would have given the Bluebirds a chance, but two late goals coupled with a goal and a stunning assist from Lee Tomlin ensured they left Yorkshire with a point, even with a man less… a team to watch out for in the closing weeks.
Blackburn Rovers
Nickname: Rovers
Manager: Tony Mowbray
Current position: 10th
Top scorer: Adam Armstrong (12)
Player to watch: Lewis Holtby
With four of their last nine games to be played against teams who sit above them in the league standings, Blackburn Rovers have it all to do if they are to give themselves a chance of extending their season into the Sky Bet Play-Offs.
Saying that, with league standings incredibly tight, Rovers are only three points off that final spot and with the talent they have within their ranks, such as Lewis Holtby, Stewart Downing and Danny Graham, Rovers will be hoping for a strong finish to what could be a memorable campaign.
Swansea City
Nickname: The Swans
Manager: Steve Cooper
Current position: 11th
Top scorer: André Ayew (12)
Player to watch: Rhian Brewster
After building up his reputation in youth team football with the likes of Liverpool and England, Steve Cooper stepped into first-team management with the Swans at the start of the 2019/20 season.
His first month in charge of the club yielded 16 points from a possible 18 and in turn, handing Swansea their best start to a season in 41-years, as well as the much coveted Manager of the Month award for the Welshman.
Derby County
Nickname: The Rams
Manager: Phillip Cocu
Current position: 12th
Top scorer: Martyn Waghorn (12)
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
Seven out of the nine games that Derby County have remaining this season come against teams in the top-half of the table, including the eagerly anticipated East Midlands derby against rivals Nottingham Forest.
They also have to tackle league leaders Leeds United and second-placed West Bromwich Albion. Much has been made of the arrival of player-coach, Wayne Rooney back in January, and his impact on the team since then has certainly been evident. His knowledge and experience could be vital during the upcoming challenging fixtures for the Rams.
Queens Park Rangers
Nickname: The R’s
Manager: Mark Warburton
Current position: 13th
Top scorer: Jordan Hugill (13)
Player to watch: Eberechi Eze
Despite occupying 13th place in the table, Queens Park Rangers are only six points off the final Play-Off spot in the Sky Bet Championship and certainly have an outside chance of securing that place.
Eberechi Eze has been one of the league’s brightest lights this season with his all-round ability, which has seen Premier League clubs circle for his signature, a youngster with huge ability and potential and one to watch for the rest of the campaign.
Reading
Nickname: The Royals
Manager: Mark Bowen
Current position: 14th
Top scorer: Yakou Meite (12)
Player to watch: George Puscas
Manager Mark Bowen is in his debut season as a manager after taking the hot-seat at the Madejski Stadium from Jose Gomes back in October. A highlight of his reign so far was the club's New Year’s Day win over high-flying Fulham.
With three wins in their last five games prior to the break, the Royals had an up-turn in fortunes in league action and they will undoubtedly be looking forward to putting more points on the board after the restart.
Sheffield Wednesday
Nickname: The Owls
Manager: Garry Monk
Current position: 15th
Top scorer: Steven Fletcher (13)
Player to watch: Barry Bannan
Like Reading, Sheffield Wednesday have had an up-and-down season so far, but find themselves nine points clear of relegation with just nine games of the season remaining.
Garry Monk had a very difficult start at Hillsborough, picking up from where Steve Bruce left off in September, but he has recorded some impressive results already this season, seeing off Brentford at home and Yorkshire rivals Leeds United at Elland Road.
Birmingham City
Nickname: Blues
Manager: Pep Clotet
Current position: 16th
Top scorer: Lukas Jutkiewicz (13)
Player to watch: Jude Bellingham
16-year-old Jude Bellingham has been the talk of the City for Birmingham supporters this season, despite performances on the field being below par at times by their standards. Bellingham however, is a local lad come good and after becoming the club’s youngest ever player and goalscorer earlier this season, has been a shining light for the Blues.
Pep Clotet will face a challenge in his final nine games, with the Blues having to navigate the threat of top-half teams such as Fulham, Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion in these final nine games. However, with Scott Hogan firing on all cylinders, a strike partnership full of goals with Lukas Jutkiewicz would be most welcome.
Stoke City
Nickname: The Potters
Manager: Michael O’Neill
Current position: 17th
Top scorer: Sam Clucas (10)
Player to watch: Tyrese Campbell
Stoke City were another side whose form prior to the break had taken a positive turn. The Potters final game prior to the Championship season being suspended due to COVID-19, saw them comfortably get past struggling Hull City at the bet365 Stadium, winning by five-goals-to-one.
Manager Michael O’Neill has recently left his role as Northern Ireland manager to concentrate on all things Stoke City, a positive step for the future of the club under a stable figure such as O’Neill.
Huddersfield Town
Nickname: The Terriers
Manager: Danny Cowley
Current position: 18th
Top scorer: Karlan Grant (16)
Player to watch: Emile Smith-Rowe
Having been appointed manager back in September, Danny Cowley's impact on Huddersfield Town has been notable as the club saw improvements on the pitch almost immediately, with some impressive results.
Now nine months into the job, the Terriers have moved out of the relegation zone and are currently three points clear of the drop. Last time out saw them lose to Yorkshire rivals, Leeds United, and their final nine games are by no means easy, but Cowley will be confident of keeping his side in the league.
Middlesbrough
Nickname: The Boro
Manager: Jonathan Woodgate
Current position: 19th
Top scorer: Ashley Fletcher (10)
Player to watch: Lewis Wing
Things may not have played out the way former England international Jonathan Woodgate would have liked in his first season in charge of Middlesbrough, but with nine games of the season remaining he has a chance to ensure they play their football in the Championship next season.
With only Bristol City left to play in the top-half of the table, Boro will be hoping that some positive results will put distance between themselves and drop.
Wigan Athletic
Nickname: The Latics
Manager: Paul Cook
Current position: 20th
Top scorer: Cheyenne Dunkley & Kieffer Moore (6)
Player to watch: Jamal Lowe
The Latics were on a superb run before the enforced break, having gone unbeaten in six games, winning three of those in the process. Central defender Chey Dunkley has also been in top form bagging six goals alongside Welsh international Keiffer Moore.
Middlesbrough, Wigan and Hull City all sit two points above the drop zone on 41 points, making the remaining nine games an interesting watch as the rest of this campaign plays out.
Hull City
Nickname: The Tigers
Manager: Grant McCann
Current position: 21st
Top scorer: Tom Eaves (8)
Player to watch: Mallik Wilks
It’s been a difficult season for The Tigers since the turn of the year, with Grant McCann’s side only picking up one win, on New Year’s Day against Sheffield Wednesday.
Just two points outside of the relegation zone and with teams still around them to play, there is hope that fortunes can turn around and survive in this division for another season.
Charlton Athletic
Nickname: The Addicks
Manager: Lee Bowyer
Current position: 22nd
Top scorer: Lyle Taylor (11)
Player to watch: Macauley Bonne
After promotion from Sky Bet League One in the most dramatic fashion last season, the club managed to keep ahold of manager Lee Bowyer and star player Lyle Taylor in the summer, and it has been their influence that has kept them in touch of survival this season.
Two points is all that separates relegation and safety for the Addicks, and striker Macauley Bonne could be the difference as the season nears a close.
Luton Town
Nickname: The Hatters
Manager: Nathan Jones
Current position: 23rd
Top scorer: James Collins (11)
Player to watch: Izzy Brown
With the return of the club’s most successful manager, Nathan Jones, Luton Town will see the remaining nine games of the season as a chance to show that their campaign is still up and running, despite being in the relegation zone.
Games against high-flying Leeds United and Preston North End are only round the corner, but the Hatters most successful manager in their Football League history will be raring to go to prove that he was the right man to bring back to the club.
Barnsley
Nickname: The Tykes
Manager: Gerhard Struber
Current position: 24th
Top scorer: Cauley Woodrow (15)
Player to watch: Conor Chaplin
It may be a difficult task for South Yorkshire outfit Barnsley to avoid the drop this season, but stranger things have happened over the years.
With the firepower the Tykes possess in Cauley Woodrow and Conor Chaplin - who have notched 27 goals between them this campaign - Barnsley will be hopeful of pulling off a great escape despite being seven points adrift from safety going into the final nine games.
The Sky Bet Championship will return on Saturday 20 June, with the following fixtures set to take place.
With the season resuming behind closed doors, Sky Sports will broadcast 30 of the remaining 108 Championship matches, with the remaining 78 matches streamed exclusively live on iFollow or a club’s equivalent streaming platform.
Sky Sports fixtures can be viewed here.