With the final day of the regular season looming in the Football League, there are still various important things to be decided. For some clubs it will mean a great end to the season, for others it will be all doom and gloom and preparation for going down a division.
CHAMPIONSHIP
The key promotion and relegation issues have virtually been decided in England's second tier.
QPR AND AUTOMATIC PROMOTION
QPR are set to be presented with the Championship trophy after their home game with Leeds this weekend and, although the players, staff and fans will all want to party, they still can't officially celebrate just yet. The Football Association has delayed its verdict in the case of QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin due to the quantity of evidence being considered. The decision, which was set to be announced prior to the final day of the regular season in the Championship, will now be made later than planned. QPR are currently nine points clear of third-placed Cardiff, but a points deduction could see them fall out of the automatic promotion places. I think the timing is terrible as whatever the outcome ends up being, it should have been announced way in advance of the final games. Even if they are found guilty it is not fair on QPR to be kept waiting when they have won the title on merit and the fans shouldn't see the trophy presented if it then gets taken away. It is also unfair on the other promotion chasing sides who have no idea what is happening either. I personally believe what will happen is that, if a points deduction is enforced, it will be conveniently less than nine points so QPR's promotion will be unaffected.
Norwich claimed the second automatic spot as Paul Lambert's men sealed back-to-back promotions, leaving four sides to battle it out in the play-offs once the final round of fixtures have been completed. The Canaries have been full of drama, late goals and thumping wins and they fully deserve their place in the Premier League.
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS
Cardiff, Swansea and Reading have all sealed their places in the Championship play-offs, with Nottingham Forest almost certain to join them. Forest are three points clear of Leeds, and with a superior goal difference, ahead of their clash at Crystal Palace. Leeds would need a massive win at champions QPR, along with a Palace victory, to stand any chance...but it doesn't look likely.
Results on the final day could affect who faces who in the play-offs. As things stand Cardiff will face Forest and Swansea take on Reading, but that could all change after this weekend. But if it remains the same there is the prospect of an all Welsh final and, although many Premier League fans do not want a non-English side in the division, I don't see the problem. Swansea play some delightful football and would be a decent addition to the Premier League. The play-offs are too tough to call but if I have to choose one side I think Swansea can pull it off - and I will look at the play-offs in more detail next week.
RELEGATION
Preston, Scunthorpe and Sheffield United have already been relegated and now have just pride to play for in their final games before dropping into League One. Although their Championship status has been lost, Preston could at least prevent themselves from finishing bottom. If Phil Brown's men beat Watford and Scunthorpe fail to beat Portsmouth, then the Iron would end the season as the Championship's basement club. Before the season started I did not expect either Preston or Sheffield United to be in a relegation battle, but football is a funny old game and the duo must quickly move on from their dismal campaigns and start rebuilding for the future.
LEAGUE ONE
Brighton have already secured the League One title and Southampton look set to join them in the Championship next season. The Saints are only three points clear of nearest challengers Huddersfield but, due to their far superior points difference, they will not be caught. Huddersfield claimed a 3-2 win at champions Brighton in their last game and are now unbeaten in 24 league matches. That kind of form should be enough to clinch automatic promotion but, unfortunately, Lee Clark's side will have to be content with a place in the play-offs.
LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFFS
Leyton Orient, Exeter and Rochdale have all exceeded expectations as the trio narrowly missed out on the play-offs. But Peterborough, MK Dons, Bournemouth and the Terriers secured a top six finish with a game to spare. The four sides can still move up or down in the table, which would affect who plays who in the play-offs. As things stand Bournemouth, who are seeking back-to-back promotions, will play in-form Huddersfield and Peterborough will take on MK Dons. But if the Cherries beat Rochdale, and MK Dons fail to pick up three points at Oldham, Lee Bradbury's men will leapfrog their rivals into 5th place and instead face Peterborough in the play-offs. Although, that game would be equally as tricky, Huddersfield are on such a rich vein of form that sides would rather avoid playing them at this stage.
Huddersfield would deserve to win the play-offs as, out of the four sides, they have had by far the better season. But ever since former manager Eddie Howe was in charge of Bournemouth I have developed huge respect for the Cherries and think they could spring a few surprises. It would be good to see them go up and they can maybe do it, but Huddersfield will be many people's favourites for promotion.
RELEGATION
Down at the bottom, Swindon and Plymouth have already been relegated, with Bristol Rovers almost certain to join them. If the Pirates can win at Colchester and Walsall lose at Southampton, the two sides would be level on points. But Rovers have a far inferior goal difference so, barring a footballing miracle, they are down. The big surprise out of those three sides is bottom club Swindon, who this time last year were preparing for the play-offs. Charlie Austin missed a sitter as the Robins lost out to Millwall in the final and, since then, everything has gone downhill.
Three sides will battle it out to avoid being in the fourth and final relegation spot. Dagenham, who defied the odds to even get into England's third tier, currently occupy 21st place on 47 points. But the Daggers are only a point behind Walsall and two off Notts County as they bid for League One survival. Dagenham boosted their survival hopes with a 3-0 win over Carlisle, but it doesn't get much tougher than a trip to Peterborough. If Dagenham lose they are down, but a shock draw or a win coupled with other results going their way could yet see them survive. Relegation rivals Walsall have it just as tough with a trip to Southampton, while Notts County host champions Brighton knowing a win will guarantee their survival. The most likely scenario is that all three sides lose this weekend, meaning Dagenham would go down, but I personally hope Walsall are relegated instead.
LEAGUE TWO
THE TITLE RACE
The title looked to have taken a surprise twist when Bury beat leaders Chesterfield, who then dropped points with a draw at Torquay. Bury went into their game against Wycombe knowing a win would see them overtake Chesterfield at the top of the table, but the Chairboys came away from Gigg Lane with a 3-1 win. Chesterfield, who are now three points clear at the top of the table, host Gillingham knowing a point would see them crowned Champions. But they cannot afford any slip ups as defeat coupled with a win for Bury at Stevenage could see them lose their grip of top spot depending on goal difference...surely Chesterfield will win the title though! With both Gillingham and Stevenage still having aspirations of the play-offs, Chesterfield and Bury will need to be on top form to get a result.
AUTOMATIC PROMOTION
The third automatic promotion spot will go to either Wycombe or Shrewsbury. Wycombe currently hold a one point lead over their rivals ahead of the home clash with Southend, but they know only a victory will guarantee them promotion. If Wycombe drop points, Shrewsbury will be looking to capitalise as they prepare to host Oxford. But one of them will have to settle for a place in the play-offs alongside Accrington, who have already secured a top seven finish. The side that misses out on automatic promotion has got to be favourite to win the play-offs, but I think Accrington have a great chance of going all the way.
LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFFS
Torquay and Stevenage currently occupy the other two play-off spots but, with eighth-placed Gillingham also locked on 68 points, there is no margin for error. To add more drama to the equation, all three sides face games against teams from the upper reaches of the table - Torquay and Gillingham face tricky trips to Rotherham and Chesterfield respectively, while Stevenage host promoted Bury. If all three sides lose and Port Vale beat Barnet, there would be four sides locked on 68 points. But Vale's inferior goal difference means they are likely to lose out.
RELEGATION
Stockport have already lost their Football League status and will just have pride to play for as they prepare to host Cheltenham. Lincoln and Barnet are both scrapping for their lives in a bid to avoid the drop, but the Imps have control of the situation and are two points clear of their relegation rivals. If Lincoln beat Aldershot at Sincil Bank they are safe regardless of how Barnet get on against Port Vale at Underhill. Steve Tilson's men will also survive if Barnet fail to beat Vale but, with a winless run of 10 league games and a vastly inferior goal difference, the pressure really is on for Lincoln. If Lincoln fail to win they will be relying on Barnet to slip up otherwise they will be dropping out of the Football League. Barnet's recent form is far better than Lincoln's but I hope the Imps can pull a massive performance out of the bag and ensure they are in League Two next season.
There will be a whole range of emotions round the country as the regular season draws to a close this weekend. But one thing's for sure...there will be plenty of drama!
NEXT WEEK...AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS WITH PREDICTIONS
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