Burnley have hand in the race for the play-offs

And while Burnley manager Owen Coyle is disappointed his side will not be involved in the play-off picture this time around, he is nevertheless pleased they can still have an influence in the ultimate outcome.

Crystal Palace go into tomorrow's game at Selhurst Park occupying sixth place, but anything less than a win may not be enough to guarantee staying there.

Mathematically, they are capable of climbing to fourth, courtesy of a superior goal difference to Bristol City, providing they get the better of Burnley while City lose to Preston and Blackpool beat Watford . But with only a one point gap between them seventh placed Wolves, and both Ipswich and Sheffield United just two behind, there are enough permutations to leave Albert Einstein scratching his head.

It is a similar story at the bottom, where the futures of Southampton, Leicester, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Blackpool all hang in the balance.

But Coyle believes the scenarios at both ends of the Championship merely highlight the strength of the division.

"Nothing in the Championship surprises me now. You'll probably get to the last five minutes of the game that all these issues are settled tomorrow.

"It will be a fitting climax to a wonderful Championship season," said the Clarets boss, who admitted the last few months since his appointment in November had flown by.

"The one thing about the Championship, you cannot rest on your laurels. Even the likes of Bristol City and Watford, who in the last couple of months are struggling to get a result but fortunately for them have enough points.

"Bristol City have just made in, but Watford aren't assured (of the play-offs) yet, even though in December they were five or six points clear.

"It's a very high level of competition.

"You look at the bottom and there are some big, big clubs in a relegation battle. You wouldn't even at this stage bet who will be going down to League One.

"There's no doubt it's a fierce competition.

"Ideally we'd love to be involved at the top end, in trying to make that top six, but it gives us something to aim for.

"We've got a chance to add to our best points total for six years, so there are an awful lot of positive things happening at the football club and we have to make sure we're progressing at all times.

"I'd rather there was something at stake (in the game). Equally there's a lot at stake for us.

"We've shown we can go to big clubs and win away from home and we want another scalp, and that will provide the opportunity.

"Within that, there will be the injury front, which certainly isn't great going into the game.

"But it gives other players an opportunity to go in and play, and it's one they should be looking forward to, going out and playing in that environment and standing up, which we've done before, and going and winning a game.

"Palace have done remarkably well in that and all credit it to them.

"I've got nothing but praise for Neil Warnock. I think he's showed he's a terrific manager, there's no doubt about that, and the job he's done is all credit to him.

"I wouldn't write them off, in terms of getting promotion if they get in the play-offs, because they are on a terrific run.

"They've got an energy and enthusiasm about them, and they are certainly not lacking in ability.

"You don't win the amount of games they do without being a very good side.

"But I'll be looking for us to go and put a dent in their play-off ambitions tomorrow."

He added: "When all's said and done, Burnley are the 20th best supported club in the Championship. We've got a chance to finish in that top 10, which we'll look to do.

"There's no getting away from the fact we've made progress.

"Yes, we'd like to do everything in one fell swoop but I think if there's any disappointment it's because we've raised the expectation levels and that's something I would never have swapped at any time.

"It's important we continue that and raise expectation again, and get, if it's possible, the supporters coming along and bringing their friends along, because that will generate more finance, which can only help us in the long run to attract players."