Championship final day permutations: Ipswich on verge of Premier League, play-offs must be sorted and Huddersfield need miracle
The end of the 2023/24 Championship season is upon us, and there is still plenty to be decided.
Leicester have been promoted as champions after overcoming a late-season slump, while Rotherham United have been relegated.
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There are still two relegation places, two play-off spots and the final automatic promotion all to be sorted on the final day.
It means we should be in for a cracker on Saturday, and here are all the possible outcomes.
Automatic promotion
Ipswich Town are in pole place to seal second and a spot in the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years.
They need just a point in their game against Huddersfield, which will be 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 slip up.
Daniel Farke's men would be promoted if Ipswich lose and they beat Southampton at home.
And the Ipswich boss isn't expecting things to be straightforward on the final day.
He said: "I've got a lot of belief but it's a football match, two teams in the same division, one who were in a lower division the season before.
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"Anything can happen, I don't expect it to be smooth sailing.
"There's going to be tension in the game for sure as there is when you're fighting for things, but it'll be about doing enough of the right things to help us keep on top of that."
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Play-off spots
Leeds, Southampton and Ipswich are guaranteed a place in the play-offs no matter what happens on the final day, but there are still two places up for grabs with three teams in contention.
Realistically, Norwich are likely to finish fifth and need just a point away at Birmingham.
West Brom also most likely just need a draw, given they have an 11 goal advantage on Hull.
But should the Baggies lose to Preston, a win for Hull over Plymouth would see them take West Brom's place.
Hull can also pass Norwich with a win and a seven-goal swing.
And Hull's boss Liam Rosenior is hopeful his team can do enough.
He said: "In terms of performances, we have been right up there.
"If we play to that level on Saturday, against a really, really physical, strong team who have a great motivation themselves, all we can affect is our own performance and give ourselves the best opportunity to win."
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Championship final day fixtures
All fixtures on Saturday, May 4 at 12:30pm
Birmingham vs Norwich
Coventry vs QPR
Ipswich vs Huddersfield - live on talkSPORT 2
Leeds vs Southampton
Leicester vs Blackburn
Middlesbrough vs Watford
Plymouth vs Hull
Rortherham vs Cardiff
Stoke vs Bristol City
Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday
Swansea vs Millwall
West Brom vs Preston
Gabby Agbonlahor claims he'd rather have Ipswich promoted to the Premier League than Leeds
Relegation
Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers need just a 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 should they lose to Leicester.
This means they would go down if Plymouth and Wednesday win and they lose.
For Plymouth, a victory over Hull keeps them up no matter what - a draw would also be enough, depending on other results.
Birmingham have to win and hope that Plymouth do not beat Hull or one of Wednesday and Blackburn lose.
A draw could also be enough if Plymouth lose by five goals.
And ahead of their date with destiny, Gary Rowett has urged his players to become legends.
He said: "It is about getting the result and staying in the division. It is clear what we have to achieve and how we will do it; with incredible energy and maybe some patience as well.
"There's an opportunity to be a Paul Caddis or whatever name you want to put on it; some of these moments have created great memories. We need to control the controllables and we'll accept it if we've done our bit."
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Incredibly, Huddersfield can still stay in the Championship, but they need a minor miracle.
The Terriers must win against Ipswich, or it's all over, but even if they do, they will need a crazy goal swing.
To overhaul Plymouth, Huddersfield require a 15-goal swing, while a draw for Birmingham would see the Terriers having to win by 11 goals, which, given their opponent, is almost impossible.
With Huddersfield in a tricky place, their boss Andre Breitenreiter has slammed his players.
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He said: "All the players are disappointed. It’s clear some players are more disappointed than other players.
"This is also a big problem in the team for the whole season, I think, but for sure for the time I am here."
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