Once again , the Championship is proving to be the league with the most exciting promotion battle in Europe and the stakes have never been higher . With just 10 games left , one point divides a top five of Bournemouth , Derby , Watford , Middlesbrough and Norwich , with Brentford and Ipswich only a result or two behind them . And with £150million awaiting those who reach the Premier League , as well as a share of the new £5billion TV deal coming the following season , the difference between success and failure has never been greater . It ’ s going to be a case of who holds their nerve best , starting tomorrow as Middlesbrough take on Ipswich and Norwich face Derby . Sportsmail assesses the leading contenders . Leicester City celebrate with the Championship trophy last season ( left ) and the current table ( right ) BOURNEMOUTH Points 66 l Goal difference +35 . Manager Eddie Howe , 37 , has taken his side from the bottom of League Two to the verge of the Premier League in two spells at Dean Court . Under their attack-minded boss , Bournemouth are the division ’ s top scorers with 74 . Promotion prospects : Howe is too cool to let his players crack under pressure . The Premier League has seen fairytale stories of Swindon and Blackpool , and Bournemouth could be the latest . Did you know ? Bournemouth ’ s average home gate this season is 10,147 — lower than any other club bar in the league bar Rotherham . Eddie Howe has taken his side from the bottom of League Two to the verge of the Premier League . Eunan O'Kane celebrates after scoring - and Bournemouth are the divison 's top goalscorers . DERBY COUNTY Points 66 l Goal difference +29 . Steve McClaren ’ s men have bounced back after suffering play-off final heartbreak in May when they were beaten 1-0 by QPR . Loanees Darren Bent , Jesse Lingard and Thomas Ince have strengthened a strong squad but self-doubt could creep in . Promotion prospects : The best team on paper , they looked odds-on at one stage . But you feel they are just one slip-up from disaster . Did you know ? McClaren won successive promotions as a Derby County player in the 1980s under Arthur Cox . Thomas Ince strengthened Derby 's squad when coming in on loan but questions remain over them . Derby are the best team on paper , but you feel they are just one slip-up from heading for disaster . WATFORD Points 66 l Goal difference +28 . Italian owner Gino Pozzo has been through six managers in three years — four this season alone — but this hasn ’ t disrupted progress at Vicarage Road under latest boss Slavisa Jokanovic . Strike pair Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo , on loan from Pozzo ’ s father ’ s club Udinese , have scored 33 of Watford ’ s 72 goals . Promotion prospects : Like to play on the counter-attack , but have crucial games against Middlesbrough and Derby and may have to settle for the play-offs . Did you know ? Watford last graced the Premier League in 2007 and Manchester City ’ s Darius Vassell scored the goal that sent them down . Troy Deeney provides real quality upfront for Watford and he has previously attracted top flight attention . Deeney and Odion Ighalo ( pictured ) , on loan from Udinese , have scored 33 of Watford ’ s 72 goals . MIDDLESBROUGH Points 66 l Goal difference +28 . Jose Mourinho ’ s former assistant at Real Madrid Aitor Karanka has been a huge hit with some help from the Special One , who loaned him 11-goal Patrick Bamford . Boro have conceded 26 goals from 36 matches — the fewest in the division . Promotion prospects : In danger of going off the boil , having collected only seven points from 18 . Did you know ? Boro have lost their last three Saturday fixtures — against Leeds , Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest . Aitor Karanka is Jose Mourinho ’ s former assistant at Real Madrid and has gained Patrick Bamford on loan . Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton celebrate a goal , but Middlesbrough look like going off the boil . NORWICH CITY Points 65 l Goal difference +31 . The gamble to recruit 33-year-old unknown Alex Neil from Hamilton Academical has paid off , only losing once their last in nine games . They have plenty of top-flight experience in John Ruddy , Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome . Promotion prospects : Their squad is battle-hardened and you suspect when the going gets tough , Norwich will be able to get going . Did you know ? Neil became the highest-placed Scottish manager in England following the sacking of Paul Lambert at Aston Villa . Cameron Jerome ( left ) is one of a number of players in the Norwich squad who boast top flight experience . Jonathan Howson and Bradley Johnson have also played in the Premier League with the Canaries . And don ’ t forget ... Brentford — 62pts : Surprise package who haven ’ t been distracted by manager Mark Warburton ’ s departure at the end of the season . Ipswich — 61pts : Mick McCarthy boasts the division ’ s leading scorer , 22-goal Daryl Murphy . Brentford are just a point ahead of Ipswich Town after the two came head-to-head last Saturday .
The stakes in the race for Championship promotion have never been higher . Bournemouth , Derby , Watford and Middlesbrough are all on three points . Norwich City are just a point behind with Brentford and Ipswich not far off . £150million awaits the 66 teams who make it to the Premier League .