Either Cardiff or Fulham will seal second place on the final day to secure promotion up to the Premier League but it is down the bottom of the table where the unpredictable nature of the Championship will shine through once again. As it stands, heading into the final game, five teams are in contention to join Sunderland and be relegated to League One next season.
We analyse the five teams left scrapping for survival and their chance of staying up.
Reading (v Cardiff)
Three league wins since 2nd December has seen last year’s play-off finalists drop from midtable security to relegation candidates. The appointment of Paul Clement has done little to turn their form around with a lack of goals becoming a real problem for the Royals.
They are currently in the strongest position of the relegation candidates, two points clear of the drop with a decent goal difference compared to their rivals. However, they do face second-placed Cardiff away from home on the final day, the Bluebirds need a win to secure promotion this season. They are unlikely to get a result in Wales but others should falter.
Verdict: Royals to survive despite final day defeat
Birmingham (v Fulham)
Birmingham are level on points (43) with Reading but have a much worse goal difference. They face a rampant Fulham side on the final day who need a win to keep the pressure on Cardiff for that second-place spot.
Blues have been in decent form in recent weeks but their defeat last time out to QPR was damaging in a game where they could have secured their safety. They will lose this game to a brilliant Fulham and will have to look elsewhere for their safety to be confirmed.
Verdict: Blues to stay up by the skin of their teeth after heavy defeat to Fulham
Barnsley (v Derby)
A 2-0 win over Brentford last time out kept Barnsley’s hopes alive heading into the final day. Currently, only out of the bottom three on goal difference, they travel to sixth-placed Derby, who only need a point to secure their play-off place.
However, Barnsley will be keen to spoil that party. Derby are the perennial bottlers in the Championship having thrown away must easier positions than this in the past. Gary Rowett is keen to shake off that tag but something tells me that both sides may settle for a point here.
Verdict: A battling point for Barnsley will not be enough as results elsewhere go against them
Burton (v Preston)
Burton Albion are the fourth team facing relegation who are up against a promotion contender. Anything less than a win for opponents Preston will mark bring an end to their play-off hopes whilst a defeat for Burton will confirm their relegation to League One.
A tough away trip in front of a motivated home crowd, unfortunately for Nigel Clough and his team, I think a defeat here will mark the end of their two-year stint in the second tier.
Verdict: Brewers heading down to League One
Bolton (v Forest)
Bolton Wanderers face on paper, the easiest fixture of their relegation rivals. Nottingham Forest have nothing to play for and will be dreaming of their summer holidays as they play out the final 90 minutes of their season.
Bolton currently have 40 points and because of their -36 goal difference, will need all three points to stand a chance at survival here. Although they are in shocking form, I think the Trotters are going to do it and survive on the final day.
Verdict: Bolton to cling on to Championship status
Predicted final table
Pos Team Pts
19th Reading 43
20th Bolton 43
21st Birmingham 43
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22nd Barnsley 41
23rd Burton 41
24th Sunderland 34
