'˜More twists and turns' likely for Hull City, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday in race for the top-flight

The Clarets’ pursuit of an instant return to the Premier League may have continued serenely, but the rest of the top five seem to have been struck by a sudden bout of the jitters.

Hull have taken just two points from three games, while Middlesbrough’s last four outings have yielded three defeats and the temporary departure of head coach Aitor Karanka.

Brighton have also stuttered courtesy of back-to-back goalless stalemates and the less said about Derby County’s spectacular late collapse at Rotherham United on Saturday the better.

These stumbles have not only allowed Burnley to open up what, even at this stage, looks like being an unassailable lead at the top, but also lowered the likely points tally needed to secure second place.

Where in the final days of February there seemed a distinct possibility that a return of two points per game would be needed to secure an automatic promotion place, now a tally in the mid-80s may well be enough. We will know a lot more by 5pm on Saturday, after which the Championship will take a two-week break due to internationals.

By then, Boro will have hosted the Tigers, who will also have played one of their games in hand at home to Nottingham Forest.

Brighton, level on points with Hull, are also in action tomorrow, at home to Reading in a fixture put back from the weekend due to the Royals’ involvement in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

“There will be twists and turns,” said Bruce to The Yorkshire Post. “I have been at the club for nearly four years and I understand we do not do it easy. It is not in the DNA of this place.

“Something ridiculous is going to happen. Just look at how we went up last time – you could write a book on that.”

Bruce believes five or six teams may still be in the running for automatic promotion but, in reality, it seems to be a four-way scrap.

Derby’s poor form in 2016 does not suggest a team ready to launch a late push, while Sheffield Wednesday will be a minimum nine – and maybe up to 12 – points adrift of second place by the time Charlton Athletic arrive at Hillsborough on Saturday.

As it stands, the Rams and Owls occupy the final two play-off places but Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town are snapping at their heels. The stakes are high and the next seven or so weeks are going to be nervy affairs. Not that Owls’ head coach Carlos Carvalhal is feeling the pressure.

“I have changed absolutely nothing in my life,” said the Portuguese when asked his feelings ahead of the run-in. “I am not feeling nervous now. I was probably feeling more nervous two or three weeks ago than now. I am more calm.

“We don’t talk too much about the things around us. I don’t think about anything that is out of my control. Same for the players. The big pressure they have is over whether they play or not. When you have that sort of pressure, you don’t think too much about the environment.”

As for automatic promotion, it is difficult to read too much into the run-in.

Three years ago, Hull limped over the line despite a final quartet of games that included meetings with three of the sides that finished in the bottom four. Just two points were gleaned from that run, but thanks to Watford’s equally wretched finish – which culminated in a final day loss at home to Leeds – it was Bruce’s men who prevailed with 79 points.

That tally will not be enough to secure second this time around – but what will?

“Over the last 10 years 86 points has been enough for automatic promotion,” said Bruce. “We have got to be looking at getting close to that figure so I am not too concerned about what other teams are going to be doing.”

On paper, Hull look to have the best run-in. After Friday’s trip to the Riverside, the Tigers will face just one of their fellow clubs in the top nine and no fewer than five teams currently in mid-table.

Their season climaxes with back-to-back games against Bolton and Rotherham.

In contrast, Boro’s itinerary after Friday’s televised encounter includes clashes against Burnley, Ipswich, Birmingham and Brighton. As for the Seagulls, along with that potentially pivotal final day trip to the Riverside, they also face Derby, Burnley and Birmingham.

Thanks to Sky TV moving games for live broadcast, all the managers will have opportunity in the coming weeks to watch their rivals. Not that this is always a pleasant experience.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t switch on those games,” said Bruce. “The only one I didn’t watch was the Middlesbrough game against Wolves recently. I switched that off once they went 1-0 up. I just thought, ‘Why get yourself wound up?’ So, I just try and enjoy these times as much as I can. And I am sure we will be okay.”