The English Premier League is often said to be the most entertaining football league in the world. Whilst many may agree with this assertion, the division below England's top flight certainly deserves a special mention.

The English Championship may only be England's second tier, but it is one of Europe's richest leagues in terms of revenue generated. In the 2004-2005 season, for example, the Championship generated well over £300m. And in terms of attendance, a total of 9.8m fans turned up to support their teams – the fourth highest in the whole of Europe and ahead of Italy's Serie A and France's Ligue 1.

This is 2011 though. Has much changed in the past few years? Well sure, the Championship has gone from strength to strength and continues to be one of Europe's top divisions, despite its position in the shadows of the mighty English Premier League.

By way of illustration, Craig Bellamy – a top Premier League player – dropped down a division to play for Cardiff City in the Championship at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, at a time when he could've taken his pick from any number of clubs in the top division. And Bellamy's Cardiff City teammate Jay Bothroyd was selected for the full England national team...a clear sign of the strength of the league.

So here we are, approaching the so-called ‘business end' of another enthralling Championship campaign, and it's around about now we start seeing some truly epic matches. And why's that? Well, because of the end-prize – a place in the Premier League.

As usual, one team is out-and-out league leaders. Whilst it's not mathematically impossible, it's highly unlikely that QPR will give up its position at the peak of the division. Which team gets the second automatic promotion spot remains to be seen – it could be anyone from Cardiff City and Norwich, to Reading or Swansea.

But it's the playoffs that really deliver some truly tantalising matches. In the 2010-2011 season, there could be around twelve teams in with a chance of sneaking into the playoff games. But realistically, it's more likely to be between about seven clubs.

So which third club will be joining QPR and another in the Premier League next season? Don't put your house on it, but Norwich City might be a good bet as they have been consistent throughout the season.

Think back a season, however, and you may remember that Blackpool just snuck into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, and they ended up winning promotion. So if truth be told, the Championship is too tough a league to call – you'll just have to wait and see!

Daniel Collins writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.