The EFL Championship is heading for a thrilling conclusion, with everything still to play for on the final day of the regular season. The title race, the playoff tussle, and the relegation fight are all going down to the wire, ensuring a dramatic finale.
With so much at stake, fates of several clubs hang in the balance. Which team will seize the moment to lift the Championship trophy, who will clinch the playoff spots and keep their Premier League dreams alive, and which unfortunate sides will suffer the heartbreak of relegation to League One?
Let’s take a look at all the scenarios and the big battles ahead of the final weekend of the Championship’s regular season.
Who will clinch the title — Leeds United or Burnley?
Leeds United and Burnley are both tied on 97 points, with Leeds ahead thanks to their superior goal difference.
The two sides’ final fixtures are:
Leeds United vs Plymouth Argyle
Burnley vs Millwall
If Leeds better Burnley’s result, they will win the Championship. If the opposite happens, Burnley will be the winners.
Prediction: Leeds United win the Championship title due to their already superior goal difference and a comparatively easier final-day opposition—who are almost relegated—as compared to Burnley, who face an in-form Millwall side hunting a playoff spot.
The Playoffs
With Leeds United and Burnley already promoted to the Premier League, there is only one spot left for promotion. Third- and fourth-placed sides, respectively, Sheffield United (89 points) and Sunderland (76 points) are already confirmed for the playoffs, but there are five other teams fighting for the remaining two spots playoff spots.
Bristol City (67 points), Coventry City (66 points), Millwall (66 points), Blackburn Rovers (65 points), and Middlesbrough (64 points) are all in the reckoning.
For any of these teams to make the playoffs, following are the permutations:
- Bristol City will be guaranteed a place in the playoffs with a win.
- Coventry City will be guaranteed a place in the playoffs if they win and Millwall don’t win their game by 5 goals.
- Millwall will be guaranteed a place in the playoffs if they win and both Bristol City and Coventry City lose.
- Blackburn Rovers will be guaranteed a place in the playoffs if they win and two of Bristol City, Coventry City, and Millwall lose.
- Middlesbrough will make the playoffs if they win and Bristol City lose and Millwall or Blackburn Rovers lose.
The fixtures featuring teams competing for the playoffs are:
Bristol City vs Preston North End
Burnley vs Millwall
Coventry City vs Middlesbrough
Sheffield United vs Blackburn Rovers
Prediction: Given that the matchups are trickier for Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, and Middlesborough, Bristol City and Coventry City take the final two playoff spots.
The relegation scrap
Relegation to League One presents a significant challenge for Championship clubs, not only from a sporting standpoint but also due to the severe financial implications. The drop in revenue and exposure makes it extremely difficult to rebuild for next season, and returning to the Championship often becomes a daunting, uphill battle.
With Cardiff City already relegated, the other teams fighting relegation are Plymouth Argyle (46 points), Hull City (48 points), Luton Town (49 points), Preston North End (49 points), and Derby County (49 points).
The conditions for the other four clubs to escape the drop to League One are:
- Hull City will survive if they win but will be relegated if they lose.
- Luton Town will survive if they win but will be relegated if they lose and Hull City avoid defeat.
- Preston North End will survive if they win but will be relegated if they lose and Hull City and Luton Town avoid defeat.
- Derby County will survive if they win but will be relegated if Preston North End and Luton Town avoid defeat and Hull City win.
- Stoke City will survive with a draw but will be relegated if they lose, Preston North End avoid defeat, and Luton Town and Hull City win.
The fixtures featuring the relegation battle are:
Bristol City vs Preston North End
Derby County vs Stoke City
Portsmouth vs Hull City
West Bromwich Albion vs Luton Town
Prediction: Plymouth Argyle go down alongside Preston North End and Hull City. Derby County, Luton Town, and Stoke City live to fight another season based on their recent form.
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