Championship... what's at stake

Last updated : 03 May 2008 By Iron-Bru
Relegation

Scunthorpe and Colchester already know their fate, meaning Sunday's game at Glanford Park is a dead rubber. One team will also join them in dropping down to League One, with Southampton, Leicester, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry or Blackpool also going down.

Southampton are in the greatest danger of relegation as they head into the games third bottom, and will go down if they fail to beat Sheffield United. Blackpool and Coventry will be safe if they secure a point - the Seasiders are at home to Watford, while the Sky Blues head to Charlton.

Leicester will be nervous at Stoke, as will Wednesday when Norwich head to Hillsbrough. Victories would secure their safety, but if Southampton win then nothing but three points will be enough for either side.

Promotion

West Brom are virtually guaranteed promotion, while Stoke will also go up if they avoid defeat at home to relegation-threatened Leicester. If Stoke lose, then Hull could overtake them and claim second by beating Ipswich.

The play-offs look more likely for the Tigers, with Bristol City the only other confirmed team for the end-of-season lottery.

Watford end their season at Blackpool, knowing a win would secure a play-off spot. Crystal Palace are currently in the final play-off position, and beating Burnley at home would secure that.

If either Palace or Watford slip-up, then Wolves are first in the queue to step up. They host Plymouth, and only three points will be good enough. Ipswich and Sheffield United could also sneak into sixth spot if they win and the teams above them lose.