It's been a really interesting and well contested season in the Sky Bet Championship this year.

It's close at the top, with only six points separating first place and sixth.

In mid-table five points separate ninth place and 13th whilst four points separate 15th and 20th in the division.

It's all been very tight but with three teams going up and three going down, those in mid-table will be left to battle for promotion or slug it out to stay in the division next year and here are FIVE teams who are neither in the automatic promotion places, the play-offs or the relegation zone who I think will be pushing for promotion next season.

PRESS NEXT PAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE TEAMSNottingham Forest

Forest had a really hot start to the season and looked a really strong bet for promotion. However, they fell away from the pack under Stuart Pearce.

After some really poor form, Pearce was sacked and they appointed Dougie Freedman and in one of the shocks of the season, he has completely turned round their form.

Freedman has done well since taking over at Forest

If Forest can keep their star players such as Michail Antonio, Britt Assombalonga and Henri Lansbury then they'll be very dangerous next season but with the right additions on top of that, they're a shoe in for a really good campaign next year.

A poll amongst Forest fans has revealed that they feel they're transfer priorities should lie in finding a striker and a holding midfielder.

Find those players, and Freedman will keep the fans happy and perhaps lead his squad to promotion with the pace and talent in his squad.

Blackburn Rovers

There's no doubt that Rovers have the firepower to get them to the Premier League.

The pair of Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede would probably be welcomed by most Premier League teams, but it's the back line where they probably need to improve.

Bowyer's side could be a promotion candidate next season

They've conceded the third most goals out of any of the teams in the top ten, with 50 goals, having scored 51 goals this season, meaning, pretty much, for every goal scored they've conceded a goal.

There are some really talented and fairly young players at Blackburn, Tom Cairney, Ben Marshall and Josh King who, on their day, can cause any team misery.

If they can shore up that defence and, like Forest, if they keep their star players they can mount a really strong promotion charge next year.

Sheffield Wednesday

Compared to last season, Wednesday have been really, really impressive this season and like any good team, they're built on a solid defence and have the second best defensive record in the league this season.

Wednesday boss Stuart Gray has done really well with his team this year and they're an incredibly organised side.

If Sheffield Wednesday improve their team they'll be in with a shout

 

Having recently been taken over by rich Thai Investors who have already announced their intentions to splash the cash at Hillsborough not just on players, but on facilities like a new pitch this summer.

Gray made some very impressive signings last summer, most of which have performed really well this season, so if he were to be handed a substantial amount of cash in the summer, I have every faith that he'll invest it very well in order for Wednesday to mount a promotion challenge.

Leeds United

Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn has really settled what was a bizarre situation at Leeds United. They're now in really good form and a force to reckoned with in the league and a side for other teams to fear.

But the powers that be at Elland Road have to start thinking about whats best for the club, instead of money, and the business with Mirco Antenucci is an example of what needs to be cut out.

Leeds must keep hold of their star players like Mowatt

The promotion of youngster Lewis Cook and the outstanding performances of Alex Mowatt, Sam Byram, Luke Murphy and co. have all helped with their recovery under Redfearn. They will, however, need a goalscorer and that should be their priority in the summer.

Sol Bamba has also been very impressive and should sign on.

If Leeds can keep up their form in the latter half of this season and keep the players who have performed so well for them then they can really mount a challenge for promotion next season.

Reading

Perhaps the least likely of the bunch, Reading now have no debt and owners who are now able and willing to spend money on their squad and a manager willing to spend said money.

Reading have a decent squad as it is who have really under performed this season.

Clarke has stressed that he isn't massively impressed with the squad he's inherited and that he's looking to overhaul his squad in the summer.

Clarke must overhaul his squad to stand a chance

 

He's good with his transfers and knows the Championship well, so Reading's money is probably in safe hands.

If they implement some good defenders, some more depth in squad and a few strikers into their squad, then Reading can certainly recover from this torrid season and mount at least a play off push next season.