The regular season is wrapping up in the Championship and attention is turning towards the promotion playoffs and the remaining relegation spots. Last night's match between Leicester and Hull City had major repercussions on both ends of the table. Leicester fought hard in the second half (Bobby DeCordova-Reid, who I had forgotten was still there, chipped in with a nice assist), but could only manage a draw when they needed a win to avoid the dreaded double-drop. Ten years after winning the Premier League title and just a few months after being picked by many for a straight return to the top flight, they are headed to the third tier. A slew of high-paid former Premier League players failed dramatically. Leicester did have a points deduction, but they might have been relegated even without that. It is a really shocking fall.
The draw also dropped Hull City out of the playoff spots and allowed Wrexham to move up into the sixth spot on just goal differential. Two games remain for these two to decide who will move on to the playoffs.
Coventry City has already won the league and will return to the Premier League for the first time since they were one of the initial members. I'm worried they will continue to be a thorn in Fulham's side next season.
Ipswich and Millwall are fighting over the second spot. Millwall has never been part of the Premier League and it would be a true sign of the end-times if Millwall were to swap places with Tottenham.
As Fulham kicks off against Arsenal, so will the entire Championship as they play their last matches of the regular season. The relegation spots are all decided and Coventry has won the league, but only one spot is settled for the playoffs - Southampton is through for sure. The rest are up in the air.
Ipswich and Millwall are fighting for the other automatic promotion spot with Ipswich ahead by just a point and a substantial goal differential. If Ipswich don't beat QPR and Millwall defeats relegated Oxford then Millwall will get to introduce themselves to the Premier League next season. There is also an outside chance for Middlesbrough if they can win their match and see Ipswich lose and Millwall get less than three points. Although these teams are in the 2, 3, and 4th spots they will all be desperate to avoid the playoffs where Southampton awaits - the most in form team right now.
At the other end of the playoff window, Wrexham, Hull, and Derby will be trying to get the remaining sixth spot. Wrexham have it now based on a single goal so the margin is incredibly tight. None of the three have been playing at their best so it is a question of who will stumble over the finish line. Wrexham have the toughest matchup of the three against Middlesbrough. Hull faces Norwich and Derby, a point behind Wrexham and Hull, has Sheffield United. Hull would seem to have a slight advantage, but they have been in absolute free-fall as the season has closed, so it really is wide open.
Of course, as with the teams vying for automatic promotion, there is still the issue of Southampton if they do make the playoffs. But they play the games for a reason and no one expected Sunderland to win the playoffs last season and look where they are now!
Southampton have currently been expelled from the playoff final for spying on opponents. Middlesbrough have been given a lifeline. However, Southampton will appeal, meaning the match scheduled for Saturday will likely be postponed.
Crazy times this year.
@astroevan I find that absolutely stunning. I thought maybe a points deduction, but to overturn the outcome of a match? That sounds like uncharted territory. But what a stupid thing for Southampton to do when they were clearly a stronger team!
I love the strong and swift punishment. So refreshing. in America we would just take a draft pick and say don't do that again.