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Weekend permutations: Can Middlesbrough get relegated?

Alvaro Negredo appears dejected after the final whistle at the King Power Stadium
Image: Can Middlesbrough get relegated this weekend?

A look at the weekend permutations as we're set for final day drama in the Sky Bet Championship and League Two.

There is a scrap down at the bottom of the Championship to stay up and who will make the play-offs in the League Two?

Plus, can Middlesbrough be relegated this weekend?

Here's a look at what's at stake this weekend....

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Premier League

Middlesbrough begin the weekend six points from safety with three games left and no team in Premier League history has survived from that position. They will be relegated to the Sky Bet Championship if they lose to Chelsea on Monday Night Football and Hull City avoid defeat against Sunderland on Saturday. If Boro draw at Stamford Bridge, then they could still be relegated if Marco Silva's team win their game.

Chelsea can't be crowned title winners this weekend. If Tottenham lose at West Ham on Friday Night Football, Chelsea can secure the title as early as May 12 if they defeat both Middlesbrough and West Brom.

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Championship

Brighton and Newcastle are already promoted but the Seagulls can secure the title with victory at Aston Villa on Sunday. However, Newcastle can swoop late and grab the trophy if they better the Seagulls' result at home to Barnsley.

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The play-off spots are all-but settled. Fulham are three points clear of Leeds and are 13 goals better off, so Leeds would only grab the final play-off place if they win and Fulham lose with a 14-goal swing.

The real focus will be on the battle for survival, where one of Blackburn (48 points), Nottingham Forest (48 points) and Birmingham (50 points) will be relegated.

Birmingham have their destiny in their own hands away to Bristol City. A win would be enough to guarantee a place in next season's Championship. However, a defeat or a draw would mean curtains for Harry Redknapp's men if both Nottingham Forest and Blackburn win as their goal difference is vastly inferior.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town

The permutations become tricky when analysing Forest and Blackburn's potential scenario.

Forest, who are at home to Ipswich, need to equal or better Blackburn's result away at Brentford as Forest have a slightly better goal difference.

There is a situation where Forest win and could still go down. For this to occur, Blackburn and Birmingham would also need to win with Rovers notching up a two-goal win margin bigger than Forest's victory.

For Blackburn, they need to better Forest's result but can also stay up with the aforementioned two-goal margin swing.

They can lose and still survive. However, it would involve Forest losing by two or more goals at the City Ground.

You can watch all the action unfold live on Sky Sports.

League Two

The top three places are already decided, with Plymouth, Doncaster and Portsmouth promoted, and Plymouth can secure an unlikely title triumph with victory at Grimsby as Doncaster, who were six points clear at the start of April, have lost their last three games.

Plymouth can still win the league if they lose, Doncaster lose at Hartlepool and Portsmouth fail to win at home to Cheltenham.

Portsmouth can still land the trophy but need to better both Doncaster and Plymouth's result in their match at home to Cheltenham.

Doncaster can also secure the title with a win at Hartlepool - which is live on Sky Sports on Saturday - as long as other results go their way. A draw will be enough if Plymouth lose and Portsmouth fail to win.

However, Hartlepool are fighting for survival and need a victory against Rovers otherwise they will be relegated to the National League. A win won't be enough though if Newport County beat Notts County. If Hartlepool win and Newport draw, then it will go down to goal difference. As it stands, Hartlepool have -22 and Newport -23, which gives Hartlepool the slight edge in that regard.

HARTLEPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09:  A general view of the stadium prior to the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Hartlepool United and Derby County
Image: Hartlepool will drop out of the EFL if they fail to beat Doncaster

The race for the final two play-off places is going down to the wire with three points separating sixth from 12th.

A Carlisle win at Exeter will guarantee them a play-off place as would a win for Blackpool at home to Leyton Orient unless Stevenage can turn around a 14-goal swing.

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However, draws or defeats for Carlisle or Blackpool would open it up in behind with Stevenage, Cambridge, Colchester, Wycombe or Mansfield all ready to strike.

Stevenage will secure a play-off place if they win and either Carlisle or Blackpool fail to win.

Cambridge will secure a play-off place if they win (providing Colchester don't better their win) and two of Carlisle, Blackpool and Stevenage fail to win.

Colchester will secure a play-off place if they win and three of Carlisle, Blackpool, Stevenage and Cambridge fail to win.

Wycombe will secure a play-off place if they win and three of Carlisle, Stevenage, Blackpool and Colchester fail to win.

Mansfield will secure a play-off place if they win, Carlisle lose, Wycombe draw with Cambridge and two of following three happen - Blackpool lose, Stevenage lose and Colchester fail to win. If they win and Carlisle draw, they would need Wycombe to draw with Cambridge, Blackpool and Stevenage to lose and Colchester to fail to win.

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