Championship final day permutations: Ipswich on eve of Premier League play-offs need settling and Huddersfield needs a miracle
The end of the 2023/24 league season is upon us and there are still many things to decide.
Leicester were promoted as champions after overcoming a late-season slump, while Rotherham United were relegated.
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There are still two relegation places, two play-off places and final automatic promotion, all to be settled on the final day.
That means we should have a cracker on Saturday, and here are all the possible outcomes.
Automatic promotion
Ipswich Town are in pole position to clinch second place and a place in the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years.
They only need a point from their match against Huddersfield, which will be shown live on talkSPORT 2, to complete a remarkable campaign for Kieran McKenna’s men.
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However, Leeds will be waiting in the wings should the Tractor Boys make a mistake.
Daniel Farke’s men would be promoted if Ipswich lose and beat Southampton at home.
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Places for the play-offs
Leeds, Southampton and Ipswich are assured of a play-off place whatever happens on the final day, but there are still two places up for grabs with three teams in contention.
In reality, Norwich are likely to finish fifth and only need a point at Birmingham.
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West Brom also most likely need a draw, given they are 11 goals ahead of Hull.
But if the Baggies lose to Preston, a Hull win against Plymouth would see them take West Brom’s place.
Hull can also overtake Norwich with a win and a seven-goal swing.
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Schedule for the last day of the championship
All appointments on Saturday May 4 at 12:30 p.m.
Birmingham v Norwich
Coventry v QPR
Ipswich vs Huddersfield – live on talkSPORT 2
Leeds v Southampton
Leicester v Blackburn
Middlesbrough v Watford
Plymouth v Hull
Rortherham v Cardiff
Stoke v Bristol City
Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday
Swansea v Millwall
West Brom v Preston
Relegation
Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers need just one point to confirm their place in England’s second tier.
However, Wednesday could be relegated if they lose to Sunderland and Birmingham beat Norwich due to their inferior goal difference.
Blackburn have the same goal difference, but that would change by at least one if they lost to Leicester.
This means they would go down if both Plymouth and Wednesday win and lose.
For Plymouth, a win over Hull keeps them going no matter what – a draw would also be enough, depending on other results.
Birmingham must win and hope Plymouth don’t beat Hull or Wednesday’s and Blackburn lose.
A draw could also be enough if Plymouth lose by five goals.
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Incredibly, Huddersfield can still stay in the Championship, but they need a small miracle.
The Terriers need to win against Ipswich or it’s all over, but even if they do they’ll need a crazy goal.
To topple Plymouth, Huddersfield would need a 15-goal swing, while a draw for Birmingham would see the Terriers need to win by 11 goals, which, considering their opponent, is almost impossible.
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