With the 2018/19 campaign drawing ever closer to an end, the race for automatic promotion from Sky Bet League One is heating up.

Luton Town have led the way in the third tier for what seems an eternity now, with Daniel Stendel's Barnsley following closely behind.

But Jack Ross' Sunderland are beginning to come into their own at the perfect time, and after a winning a couple of games in hand, the Black Cats are breathing down the Tykes' necks.

It's definitely in Sunderland's hands - the Wearside club are level on points with Barnsley, but have two games in hand on the Yorkshire club, so you would fully expect them to return to the automatic promotion places sooner rather than later.

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A host of Sky Sports pundits feel the same, with Don Goodman saying: "Sunderland have taken advantage of Barnsley's wobble, which I didn't really expect. They'll keep their momentum going."

Former Blackburn midfielder Keith Andrews also believes that it's advantage in the race for automatic promotion, saying: "Sunderland have reacted very well to losing the Checkatrade Trophy final and the only thing counting against them is the amount of games they have coming up."

But you wouldn't rule Barnsley out just yet - games in hand don't guarantee points, and Daniel Stendel has a magnificent set of players in his ranks.

Former Sheffield Wednesday man Andy Hinchcliffe has said: "I know Sunderland have games in hand but I just have a feeling Barnsley will do it."

Each pundit is in agreement that Mick Harford's Hatters will finish at the top of the tree - the Bedfordshire club currently sit eight points clear at the top, after going 28 games unbeaten in the league.

The Verdict

The race for automatic promotion is one of the best that League One has seen in a long time.

I can see Sunderland finishing 2nd behind Luton - I think that they will be in a fantastic position if they win their games in hand, and to go six points clear of Barnsley at this stage of the season would give them a massive advantage.

I think Barnsley, if they do not finish in the top two, will win the play-offs. They have a fantastic squad and it's unfortunate that they have come up against Sunderland rather than anyone else.