Championship preview

Survival scrap at Hillsborough; Play-off line-up to be finalised

Last updated: 2nd May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Championship preview

Hart: Fighting for survival

Click below for individual match stats:
Blackpool v Bristol City
Coventry v Watford
Derby v Cardiff
Ipswich v Sheff Utd
Leicester v Middlesbrough
Plymouth v Peterborough
QPR v Newcastle
Reading v Preston
Scunthorpe v Nottm Forest
Sheff Wed v Crystal Palace
Swansea v Doncaster
West Brom v Barnsley

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Sheffield Wednesday lock horns with Crystal Palace in a relegation showdown, while the final play-off spot will be filled on Sunday as the Championship season draws to a close.

Blackpool are in pole position to claim sixth place and Ian Holloway's men know a victory at home to Bristol City will secure the chance to earn promotion, in a match that can be seen live on Sky Sports 2 and HD2.

Swansea are a point further back with an inferior goal difference after an inconsistent run and, as well as looking to beat Doncaster at the Liberty Stadium, they are relying on a favour from the Robins.

Hillsborough is the stage for a gigantic survival tussle as Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace vie for the right to stay in the division. The Owls trail their rivals by two points but still have control of their own destiny as a win would send down Paul Hart's Eagles.

The other two positions in the bottom three have already been confirmed, and Plymouth and Peterborough face each other at Home Park in what will be a League One fixture next season.

The automatic promotion issues have also been decided, but champions Newcastle will be determined to at least draw their final game away to Queens Park Rangers to reach the 100-point mark.

Style

Second-placed West Brom will be bidding to sign off in style by overcoming a Barnsley side on a nine-match winless run.

Nottingham Forest can clinch third spot, and theoretically an easier draw in the play-offs, with a win against Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.

Cardiff could still overtake Forest but their main focus will be on defeating Derby to build momentum ahead of the play-offs.

Leicester look set to finish fifth and could be coming into top form at the ideal time after notching four consecutive victories, although Middlesbrough will hope to burst their bubble at the Walkers Stadium.

Ipswich meet Sheffield United in a battle between two teams who will have promotion ambitions next term.

Elsewhere there are a couple of matches involving teams that languish in mid-table as Reading entertain Preston and Coventry host Watford.