In this Feb. 6, 2019 file photo, West Bromwich Albion’s Kyle Bartley, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal of the game against Brighton & Hove during an English FA Cup fourth round replay soccer match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England.Aaron Chown|PA via Associated Press

EFL Championship Monday pick: West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City

The race for automatic promotion to the Premier League still has four months to go, and will undoubtably have many twists and turns over the next 18 matches.

But West Bromwich Albion has a chance Monday night at home to take a four-point lead at the top of the EFL Championship standings over Leeds United, and an eight-point lead over third place Fulham. The top two teams at the end of 46 games automatically move into the top flight, while third through six have to go into a playoff for one spot.

West Brom takes on Stoke City, with neither team in notable form over the last month. West Brom is 2-3-1 (two wins, three draws, one loss) over its last six, but has lost just once since October 5 (11-6-1). West Brom has won three in a row in the series, and is 4-1-1 in the last six matches with the Potters.

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