Championship final-day permutations as promotion to be decided
Championship final-day permutations as promotion to be decided The Championship reaches its conclusion this lunchtime and there’s still so much to be decided on the final day. Three teams are still in the mix for automatic promotion, while there’s a fierce battle to make the play-offs too. Who needs what in promotion and play-off race on Championship final day?
Automatic promotion Coventry City will return to the Premier League next season after a 25-year absence, with Frank Lampard having led the Sky Blues back into the big time. The title was also secured, and Coventry can enjoy the final day pressure free. Three teams remain in the hunt to join them automatically; Ipswich Town, Millwall, and Middlesbrough.
Ipswich are frontrunners, a point ahead of third-placed Millwall with a massive advantage in goal difference. Victory over QPR will seal the Tractor Boys’ promotion, an instant return to the Premier League, and third promotion party in four seasons. However, should Ipswich fail to win, Millwall will be promoted with victory over relegated Oxford United.
Millwall have never played in the Premier League and were last a top-flight team in 1989/90. Middlesbrough remain an outside chance for automatic promotion. Boro face the toughest final-day task with a trip to Wrexham, who also need to win.
Ipswich are a length clear going into the final furlong, a point ahead of Millwall and with a huge goal-difference advantage, which is as good as another point. Kim Hellberg’s men need to win and hope Ipswich lose, and Millwall fail to win. An unlikely scenario could see Boro promoted if Ipswich draw and Millwall fail to win, though it would require a six-goal win at The Racecourse Ground.