CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL DAY: PERMUTATIONS FOR PROMOTION, PLAY-OFFS AND RELEGATION

The Championship is all set for a thrilling final day with so much still to be decided across the division.

Ipswich have a three-point advantage over Leeds in the race to reach the Premier League in the second automatic slot after the Tractor Boys won their game in hand at Coventry in midweek.

Leicester were promoted last week and then secured the title on Monday with a game to spare against Preston.

The race for the play-offs is also not yet finished, with Hull lingering in the hope of a slip-up from West Brom or Norwich on the final day.

At the bottom, Rotherham have already been relegated and they will be joined back in League One by Huddersfield, whose demotion was all but confirmed after their draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham last weekend.

Birmingham and Plymouth are now battling to avoid the final relegation spot, with Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn also still in the mix.

Here is how things stand in the battle for promotion, the play-offs and to avoid relegation on the final day...

Promotion

Leicester: Position: 1st. Played: 45. Points: 94. Goal Difference: +50

Remaining games: Blackburn (h)

The Foxes sealed promotion after Leeds lost at QPR on Friday.

After Ipswich drew at Hull, Leicester beat Preston on Monday to guarantee the title.

Ipswich: Position: 3rd. Played: 44. Points: 90. Goal Difference: +33

Remaining games: Huddersfield (h)

The Tractor Boys will return to the Premier League if they take a point at home to relegated Huddersfield on the final day.

Their goal difference means a defeat risks Leeds leaping back into second place at the final moment.

Leeds: Position: 3rd. Played: 45. Points: 90. Goal Difference: +39

Remaining games: Southampton (h)

Having won only one of their last six, Leeds do not have control of their own destiny. They must now hope for a massive slip-up by Ipswich, who must lose while Leeds win this weekend.

Southampton sit fourth and some might say their final-day meeting could merely prove a dress rehearsal for a play-off final.

Play-offs

Southampton: Position: 4th. Played: 45. Points: 84. Goal Difference: +23

Remaining games: Leeds (a)

With the play-offs assured, Russell Martin’s Saints are focused on rallying their form for the end-of-season lottery but a run of three defeats has them on shaky form.

Norwich: Position: 5th. Played: 44. Points: 72. Goal Difference: +16

Remaining games: Birmingham (a)

The Canaries are all-but there given their superior goal difference over Hull, despite failing to beat Swansea in their final home game.

West Brom: Position: 6th. Played: 45. Points: 72. Goal Difference: +20

Remaining games: Preston (h)

A run of three defeats in a row mean West Brom need a point on the final day to secure their spot in the play-offs.

Hull: Position: 7th. Played: 45. Points: 70. Goal Difference: +9

Remaining games: Plymouth (a)

Hull realistically need West Brom to lose on the final day along with a win in Devon to snatch a play-off spot.

Relegation

Blackburn: Position: 19th. Played: 45. Points: 50. Goal difference: -15

Remaining games: Leicester (A)

It’s been a really disappointing season for Rovers, but one that will end in safety if they avoid defeat away at champions Leicester.

To be relegated from here, they would need to lose in addition to Plymouth and Birmingham both winning and Sheffield Wednesday not losing at Sunderland.

Sheffield Wednesday: Position: 20th. Played: 45. Points: 50. Goal difference: -26

Remaining games: Sunderland (A)

Sheffield Wednesday just need to avoid defeat at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and they will retain their spot in the second tier.

Plymouth: Position: 21st. Played: 45. Points: 48. Goal difference: -12

Remaining games: Hull (H)

The task for Plymouth is clear - beat play-off chasing Hull and survival for a second season in the Championship is secure.

Birmingham: Position: 22nd. Played: 45. Points: 47. Goal difference: -16

Remaining games: Norwich (H)

It’s a huge day for the Blues, who must win and hope that either Blackburn or Sheffield Wednesday lose or Plymouth do not beat Hull.

Birmingham will be down regardless if they lose, while a draw will only be enough if Plymouth are hammered by a five-goal margin.

Huddersfield: Position: 23rd. Played: 45. Points: 45. Goal difference: -27

Remaining games: Ipswich (A)

The Terriers are all but down after drawing last weekend’s must-win clash with Birmingham. Their goal difference makes survival nigh-on impossible, especially given that they travel to promotion-chasing Ipswich on the final day.

Rotherham: Position: 24th. Played: 45. Points: 25. Goal difference: -55

Remaining games: Cardiff (H)

Rotherham have no hope of staying up on the final day after a torrid season and were officially relegated back in early April following a home defeat by Plymouth.

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2024-04-26T17:07:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd