Has there ever been a Premier League promotion race this thrilling?

The contenders at the top of the Sky Bet Championship have been jostling for position since August with no team able to establish a decisive advantage.

Now, with just 11 rounds of fixtures left, it's tighter at the top than ever. Astonishingly, just six points separated the top seven teams before Bournemouth hammered Fulham on Friday night.

Who will emulate Nigel Pearson and Leicester City in gaining promotion from the Championship?

Queens Park Rangers followed them into the Premier League, beating Derby in the play-off final at Wembley

The close promotion race in the Sky Bet Championship ahead of this weekend

The rewards of promotion to the Barclays Premier League are well documented - not only is there the prestige of taking on the best teams in England, but the financial boost of at least £60m in broadcast revenue, increased sponsorship and ticket sales.

And, following the Premier League's £5bn deal with Sky Sports in the latest broadcast rights bidding war, those figures will increase exponentially if this year's promoted sides can cling on beyond one season.

Even if they do suffer relegation, there is a parachute payment of £60m to soften the blow. Little wonder promotion to the Premier League is considered football's 'Golden Ticket' with the play-off final billed as the '£150m game'.

As the promotion race hots up, we assess the contenders and their chances.

1. MIDDLESBROUGH - 66pts

Manager: Aitor Karanka Top goalscorer: Patrick Bamford (11)

Last in top flight: 2008-09 Highest league position this season: 1st Lowest: 16th

Coral promotion odds: 8/13 Form last 10: WWWWWDLWLW

He is tipped to go on and become one of Europe's best managers and Aitor Karanka is certainly making a name for himself at Middlesbrough this season.

As a former centre-back, it comes as little surprise that Boro's success is built on a rock solid defence - they have conceded the fewest goals in the division (24) and kept the most clean sheets (16).

Aitor Karanka has turned Middlesbrough into one of the promotion favourites

Their squad might not pack the same firepower as their rivals but in Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford, they have a reliable goal-getter. The 21-year-old has scored 13 times this season, his latest coming in the midweek 3-0 win over Millwall.

Boro's form in late January and early February, when they won five matches in a row, has propelled them into the automatic promotion places, but their next four fixtures are absolutely vital.

They face tough trips to Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Bournemouth, plus a home match with Ipswich, in a spell that will define their season.

Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford has scored 13 times for Middlesbrough this season

They haven't been outside the top five since October and boast arguably the best all-round squad in the division to help them through the long, hard slog that is a Championship season.

Other stand-out players have been midfielder Grant Leadbitter, who has 12 league goals, and the Spanish forward Kike.

Run-in: March 7 - Nottingham Forest (A); March 14 - Ipswich Town (H); March 17 - Derby County (A); March 21 - Bournemouth (A); April 3 - Wigan Athletic (H); April 6 - Watford (A); April 11 - Rotherham United (H); April 14 - Wolves (H); April 17 - Norwich City (A); April 25 - Fulham (A); May 2 - Brighton (H)

2. DERBY COUNTY - 65pts

Manager: Steve McClaren Top goalscorer: Chris Martin (16)

Last in top flight: 2007-08 Highest league position this season: 1st Lowest: 12th

Coral promotion odds: 4/6 Form last 10: LWWWDDWWLL

Derby have been admirable in the way they've recovered from last season's play-off final heartache, with Steve McClaren making them stronger than ever.

He has skilfully played the loan market, bringing in Jordon Ibe from Liverpool, Tom Ince from Hull City and Darren Bent from Aston Villa to power their season along.

But with Ibe back at Liverpool and Bent injured, the onus falls on the rest of the Rams squad to deliver them back to the Premier League.

Steve McClaren has kept Derby County in the promotion picture right through the season

They now embark upon a decisive run of fixtures against Norwich, Middlesbrough, Wolves and Watford in the next few weeks. Derby have lost their last two - against Fulham and Brighton - but we've been here before and form suggests they will respond with a run of victories.

Ibe was excellent in the first half of the season, scoring important goals and setting up plenty more, and it really came as little surprise when Brendan Rodgers recalled him to Liverpool.

Bent was brought in to cover for injured top scorer Chris Martin and netted seven times before an untimely injury of his own.

Tom Ince, on loan from Hull City, has been excellent for Derby this season

Johnny Russell will now fill the centre-forward role in their absence but their attack, which has the best shot conversion ratio in the division, is naturally now blunted.

Still, they always seem to deliver when the pressure is on so don't rule them out.

Run-in: March 7 - Birmingham City (H); March 14 - Norwich City (A); March 17 - Middlesbrough (H); March 20 - Wolves (A); April 3 - Watford (H); April 6 - Wigan Athletic (A); April 11 - Brentford (H); April 14 - Blackpool (H); April 18 - Huddersfield Town (A); April 25 - Millwall (A); May 2 - Reading (H)

3. WATFORD - 65pts

Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic Top goalscorer: Odion Ighalo (17)

Last in top flight: 2006-07 Highest league position this season: 1st Lowest: 12th

Coral promotion odds: Evens Form last 10: WWLWWWLWWW

There's not been a dull moment at Vicarage Road this season.

The campaign started with a managerial merry-go-round with Beppe Sannino resigning despite four wins from their first five games amid rumours of an unhappy dressing room.

Oscar Garcia had to stand down because of health reasons, before a farcical situation that saw Billy McKinlay come and go within two weeks.

Odion Ighalo celebrates scoring for Watford in their recent win over Rotherham

Slavisa Jokanovic was the fourth manager of the season and he has helped Watford become the entertainers of the Championship. They are the league's top scorers and have the highest shooting accuracy, as well as a formidable front line.

Odion Ighalo has been a key part of that, scoring 14 goals in 10 matches at the beginning of 2015. Not far behind is Troy Deeney with 15, with plenty of other goals coming from an attack-minded midfield featuring the likes of Matej Vydra, Almen Abdi, Daniel Tozser and Gianni Munari.

Their run-in features some tough tests, including a trip to Derby and a home match with Middlesbrough, but you always sense with Watford and their counter-attacking style that another goal is just around the corner.

However things end up for them, it'll be dramatic.

Run-in: March 7 - Wolves (A); March 14 - Reading (H); March 17 - Wigan Athletic (A); March 21 - Ipswich Town (H); April 3 - Derby County (A); April 6 - Middlesbrough (H); April 11 - Millwall (A); April 15 - Nottingham Forest (A); April 18 - Birmingham City (H); April 25 - Brighton (A); May 2 - Sheffield Wednesday (H)

Troy Deeney (right) celebrates his winning goal for Watford against Fulham on Tuesday night

4. BOURNEMOUTH - 63pts

Manager: Eddie Howe Top goalscorer: Callum Wilson (15)

Last in top flight: Never Highest league position this season: 1st Lowest: 15th

Coral promotion odds: 11/10 Form last 10: WLWWDDLLDW

While Bournemouth's trajectory under their brilliant young boss Eddie Howe has always been upwards, few predicted such an amazing season.

The Cherries have defied all expectations and, whatever happens now, they can be very proud of their efforts having been in the top four since October and leading the way for much of December and January.

But that won't be the mentality of Howe and his close-knitted team, who haven't come this far not to make it into the Premier League for the first time.

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth have surprised many by keeping pace with the promotion race

For the first time, they've started to feel the pressure of the promotion race in recent weeks but claimed their first win in six against Wolves on Tuesday night.

The beauty of Howe's team is that there are no stars, just a determined, well-motivated set of players who have been tuned to one another's games for a long time.

Their 18-goal top scorer Callum Wilson has led the way, but goals come from all areas, including Yann Kermorgant (13), Matt Ritchie (9, plus a league-high 12 assists), Brett Pitman (8), Marc Pugh (8) and Harry Arter (6), among others.

Compared to some of those around them, their run-in isn't too bad aside from the home match with Middlesbrough and the trip to Ipswich. Now we'll see whether they can really stand the pace.

Run-in: March 6 - Fulham (A); March 14 - Blackpool (H); March 17 - Cardiff City (A); March 21 - Middlesbrough (H); April 3 - Ipswich Town (A); April 6 - Birmingham City (H); April 10 - Brighton (A); April 14 - Reading (A); April 18 - Sheffield Wednesday (H); April 25 - Bolton Wanderers (H); May 2 - Charlton Athletic (A)

Harry Arter celebrates during Bournemouth's win over Wolves in the week

5. NORWICH CITY - 62pts

Manager: Alex Neil Top goalscorer: Cameron Jerome (16)

Last in top flight: 2013-14 Highest league position this season: 1st Lowest: 17th

Coral promotion odds: 4/6 Form last 10: WLDWWWWWWL

It's been an extraordinary season at Norwich - they started very brightly, topping the table in late September before falling away badly.

With visions of an immediate return to the Premier League slipping away, drastic action was taken to replace Neil Adams with the largely unknown Hamilton manager Alex Neil, and the transformation has been remarkable.

Most managers experience a 'bounce' and an upturn in form, but Norwich's eight wins from their last 11 could not have been better timed.

Norwich boss Alex Neil was rewarded with February's Manager of the Month award after some brilliant form

After six consecutive wins, including a dominant 2-0 win over East Anglian rivals Ipswich on Sunday, their midweek home loss to relegation-threatened Wigan was a reality check.

Nonetheless, they are the Championship's form team and they'll certainly have a major influence on the outcome of the promotion race, with Derby and Middlesbrough yet to come to Carrow Road.

Their midfield has been excellent, with Bradley Johnson taking his season's tally into double figures with a stunner against Ipswich and Wes Hoolahan prominent among the league's chance creators.

Up top, Cameron Jerome has been excellent, contributing 17 league goals. They will miss Lewis Grabban, who requires ankle surgery, but definitely have enough firepower and momentum to at least make the play-offs.

Run-in: March 7 - Millwall (A); March 14 - Derby County (H); March 17 - Huddersfield Town (A); March 21 - Nottingham Forest (H); April 3 - Brighton (A); April 6 - Sheffield Wednesday (H); April 11 - Bolton Wanderers (A); April 14 - Leeds United (A); April 17 - Middlesbrough (H); April 25 - Rotherham United (A); May 2 - Fulham (H)

Cameron Jerome (left) celebrates Bradley Johnson's winning goal at Blackburn Rovers

6. BRENTFORD - 61pts

Manager: Mark Warburton Top goalscorer: Andre Gray (12)

Last in top flight: 1946-47 Highest league position this season: 3rd Lowest: 19th

Coral promotion odds: 11/2 Form last 10: WWLWLLWWLW

Like Bournemouth, Brentford have been a surprise package in this season's Championship, sustaining a promotion challenge far longer than anyone anticipated.

They climbed up the standings in the latter part of 2014 and have stuck there, though they haven't reached the automatic promotion places.

The question now is whether they will falter under pressure in the finishing straight. The news that Mark Warburton will be leaving at the end of the season came as a hammer blow but the manager certainly won't give in after such a remarkable season at Griffin Park.

Mark Warburton could leave Griffin Park in the summer having led Brentford into the Premier League

They don't have glamorous players, just a core of reliable performers who work for one another. The midfield is particularly strong - and prolific. They have between them contributed 37 league goals this season, more than any other team.

Alex Pritchard, the impressive youngster on loan from Tottenham, has chipped in with eight goals and six assists, while Stuart Dallas, Jonathan Douglas and Jon Toral have six goals apiece.

The Bees may benefit from not being under as much pressure as the other teams in the race.

Nobody expected them to reach the Premier League at the start of the season and, despite their form, not many think they'll do it now. Warburton would love to sign off by proving them all wrong.

Run-in: March 7 - Ipswich Town (A); March 14 - Cardiff City (H); March 17 - Blackburn Rovers (A); March 21 - Millwall (H); April 3 - Fulham (A); April 6 - Nottingham Forest (H); April 11 - Derby County (A); April 14 - Sheffield Wednesday (A); April 18 - Bolton Wanderers (H); April 25 - Reading (A); May 2 - Wigan Athletic (H)

Tottenham loanee Alex Pritchard (right) has excelled in Brentford's midfield this season

7. IPSWICH TOWN - 60pts

Manager: Mick McCarthy Top goalscorer: Daryl Murphy (21)

Last in top flight: 2001-02 Highest league position this season: 2nd Lowest: 19th

Coral promotion odds: 6/1 Form last 10: WLDLWWLWLL

Ipswich have been given many labels this season - 'physical' being foremost among them. And it's easy to understand why those kind of descriptions annoy manager Mick McCarthy so much.

They are industrious, yes, often gritty, but they play plenty of attractive football too. They might not always try and adopt the silky passing style of a Watford or Bournemouth but they are effective, especially for a side assembled on a shoestring budget.

The last few weeks have not been easy, with Ipswich losing three of their last four to drop out of the play-off places. This has coincided with a series of injuries to important players, including David McGoldrick and Noel Hunt.

Mick McCarthy has assembled a competitive Ipswich team on a shoestring budget

So if Ipswich are to end their 13-year exile from the Premier League, they'll need the Championship's 21-goal top scorer, Daryl Murphy, to fire them there.

McCarthy's man management skills are being tested now. Ipswich were second for a long time but have slipped back and are about to embark on a run that sees them play Brentford, Middlesbrough, Watford and Bournemouth in their next five games.

Get through that unscathed and they should be in the play-offs - at least.

Run-in: March 7 - Brentford (H); March 14 - Middlesbrough (A); March 17 - Bolton Wanderers (H); March 21 - Watford (A); April 3 - Bournemouth (H); April 6 - Huddersfield Town (A); April 11 - Blackpool (H); April 14 - Cardiff City (H); April 18 - Wolves (A); April 25 - Nottingham Forest (H); May 2 - Blackburn Rovers (A)

Daryl Murphy's 21 goals make him the Championship's top goalscorer

8. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS - 57pts

Manager: Kenny Jackett Top goalscorer: Bakary Sako (11)

Last in top flight: 2011-12 Highest league position this season: 3rd Lowest: 14th

Coral promotion odds: 10/1 Form last 10: WDDLWLWWWL

High-flying in the first few months of the season before tailing off, Wolves have been redoubtable in their spirit and refused to give up on back-to-back promotions.

Recent wins over Rotherham, Fulham and Cardiff have taken them to the fringe of the play-offs and, with four of the teams above them still to play, they're very much still in contention.

Bakary Sako has been the stand-out performer for Wolves this season

Benik Afobe has proved an inspired signing since arriving at Molineux in J

Kenny Jackett's side is a powerful one, with the likes of Bakary Sako, their 11-goal top scorer, Nouha Dicko and January signing Benik Afobe roughing up opposition defences. The latter has scored five goals in seven matches since his arrival, helping sustain their challenge.

They have plenty of ammunition going forward and should just throw caution to the wind in the games to go - who knows where it could take them.