Championship changes: What each team needs to win promotion or a play-off spot to reach the Premier League

The end of the season in England is fast approaching and while many eyes are on the late Premier League title fight, the second tier continues its usual battle to reach the top flight for 2024/25. Is.

Indeed, the Championship is currently locked in two major, and separate, battles for places: the two automatic promotion spots and the four playoff spots behind them. Some will be left disappointed after an impressive season so far, but for others, a shot at one of the biggest clubs in the world is on the way next year.

Here’s the lay of the land as three teams battle it out for the top two spots this week, and with the title this week, another combination vying for a final play-off berth behind them – and each of them securing promotion. What needs to be done. . We will update this piece after every match of the championship. Join the discussion below with your predictions for who will be playing in the Premier League next season.

Two of the three above

There have been two main storylines for the league leaders in England’s second tier throughout the season: Ipswich Town’s extraordinary start after jumping from League One to the Championship a year ago, and then the comeback story of Leicester City under Enzo Maresca. – Somewhat damaged by foxes. Breach of Premier League profitability and sustainability rules. However, the EFL has ruled that no points will be deducted from them during this period. But two more clubs entered the mix along the way.

Leeds United were hot on the heels of the other two anyway and have regularly traded places with them over the last couple of months. Southampton’s fine mid-campaign run also saw them relegate, but Wednesday night’s crushing 5-0 defeat at Leicester put them out of the running for good and pushed the Foxes into promotion.

Leeds kept the momentum going as they won a thriller on Monday night – beating Middlesbrough 4-3 – to move ahead of Ipswich and into the top two. But a beating at QPR guaranteed Leicester a top-two finish and gave Ipswich a chance to finish second, if they manage as much as a draw in their own game – away to Coventry on Tuesday.

So, what they need is:

Leicester have won the title and will be in the Premier League next season. If they win their last match, they can still reach 100 points for the season.

Ipswich If they get four points from their remaining two matches, they will be automatically promoted. However, they are winless in the last four.

Leeds Now it must be hoped that Ipswich lose against Coventry or almost Huddersfield and then match the other result – the goal difference currently favoring Leeds. It still looks like they should be beaten. Southampton LAST DAYS – While Saints’ hopes of automatic promotion are gone. They will be in the playoffs and are now guaranteed to finish fourth regardless of results anywhere.

Playoff drama: Who can stay the course?

Naturally, two of the aforementioned quartet are going to fill half of the available play-off spots, Southampton being one.

They are 11 points adrift of fifth-placed Norwich, and are certain of a top-six finish barring a dramatic swing on goal difference on the final day.

Behind them, it is now one of two after Coventry, Preston and Middlesbrough alternately dropped out of the race.

Norwich City They are one of the form teams in the Championship and have one of the top home records throughout the campaign, making them strong play-off contenders. They can now only be relegated if they lose heavily to Birmingham on the final day. West Bromwich Albion Get at least a draw and Hull beat Plymouth – plus see a seven-goal swing between the Canaries and Tigers.

More importantly – and likely – it’s about Norwich matching the WBA final day results to ensure they stay on top and finish fifth, meaning they face local rivals Ipswich or in the semi-finals. Will be from Southampton instead of Leeds.

West Brom play Preston at home on the final day and a draw would see them sixth on goal difference (again, barring ridiculous scorelines). Coventry can now only reach 70 points, while the maximum for Middlesbrough is 69. Hull should win and hopefully West Brom should actually lose.

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