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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Championship play-off permutations: Four sides chasing two spots in final day of destiny

The Football League is well into the final straight, and this weekend marks the last day of the regular season in the Championship and League Two.

There is still an awful lot to play for across the two divisions, whilst in League One the play-offs have already begun. In the Championship Fulham sealed the title last Monday, with Bournemouth confirming their status as runners-up the night after.

With all three relegated teams having been confirmed last month it means the final day of the regular campaign in the second tier is all about the race to qualify for the play-offs. Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town are guaranteed their spots. They are destined to finish third and fourth meaning potentially crucial home ties in the second legs.

The other two spots are up for grabs with four teams in the hunt. Sheffield United and Luton Town are in the driving seat with those two occupying fifth and sixth respectively. They both sit on 72 points.

Middlesbrough, in seventh, are on 70 points whilst Millwall still retain slim hopes on 69 points. If either of the Blades or Hatters drop points then it opens the door for those two sides below them. United host champions Fulham, Luton play host to Reading, Middlesbrough face a trip to Preston North End and Millwall go to another promoted side in Bournemouth.

As for Forest and Huddersfield, they take on Hull and Bristol City respectively and given Forest's far superior goal difference they are assured of finishing higher if they match Town's result.

Which side will join Fulham and Bournemouth in the Premier League next season? Let us know here

At the bottom Barnsley are guaranteed to finish 24th whilst fellow doomed sides Derby and Peterborough will aim to seal a consolation by finishing 22nd. In League Two, the final day will see a number of issues resolved. At the top, Exeter City can clinch the title if they win or match Forest Green Rovers' result.

The Grecians host Port Vale, one of the sides right in the thick of the promotion shake-up, whilst Rovers travel to Mansfield - another side that could clinch the third spot. Northampton currently occupy that very spot and know a win away at Barrow will almost certainly seal automatic promotion.

But they know a slip-up could prove fatal, with Bristol Rovers behind them only on goal difference - both on 77 points. Mansfield are on 76 points and along with Vale, on 75, they both need to realistically win and hope the Cobblers and Gas both slip up.

Swindon Town, in seventh on 74 points, could effectively pinch third spot but would not only need to win at Walsall but hope none of the four sides above them win. Sutton and Tranmere, in eighth and ninth respectively, are still in the hunt to nick a play-off spot but both need to win and hope Swindon do not.

Confirmed ups and downs in EFL so far

CHAMPIONSHIP

Promoted

Fulham, Bournemouth

Play-offs

1 of Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield, Sheffield Utd, Luton, Middlesbrough or Millwall

Relegated

Barnsley, Derby County, Peterborough United

LEAGUE ONE

Promoted

Wigan Athletic, Rotherham United

Play-offs

1 of Wycombe, MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday or Sunderland

Relegated

Gillingham, Doncaster, AFC Wimbledon, Crewe Alexandra

LEAGUE TWO

Promoted

Forest Green Rovers, Exeter City + 1 of Northampton, Bristol Rovers, Mansfield, Port Vale or Swindon

Play-offs

1 of Northampton, Bristol Rovers, Mansfield, Port Vale, Swindon, Sutton or Tranmere

Relegated

Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United

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