It’s the time of the year for pitch invasions, parades and tears, and as we approach the final day of the EFL season, there are several teams who have plenty on the line.
It promises to be a bumper afternoon on Saturday, with the Championship kicking off proceedings at 12.30pm, before League One and League Two follow suit at 3pm.
Daily Mail Sport has compiled a guide for everything you need to know ahead of the final day in relation to promotion and relegation – along with the permutations facing each team…
Coventry City have already been promoted to the Premier League, but who will join them?
Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough are two of the sides battling to finish in second place
CHAMPIONSHIP
PROMOTION
Coventry are up as champions but three teams are locked in a battle to join them…
IPSWICH TOWN, 2nd
81 points, GD 30
v QPR (H)
Kieran McKenna’s side are a very different team to the one that went up two years ago when they scored nearly 100 goals and racked up 96 points. The Tractor Boys are not as gung-ho, yet they still possess a squad full of quality, most notably in attacking stars Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke.
- If they beat 14th-placed QPR, they are up
- If they draw, they need to hope Millwall do not beat Oxford and that Middlesbrough don’t win by six goals
- If they lose, Millwall and Middlesbrough could overtake them
Kieran McKenna’s side are in pole position to get promoted, but they ideally need to beat QPR
MILLWALL, 3rd
80 points, GD 13
v Oxford (H)
After narrowly missing out on the play-offs in three of the last four seasons, Alex Neil’s men have secured at least a top-six spot after an impressive year that has been built on the division’s best away record.
- If they beat already relegated Oxford and Ipswich fail to win, they are up
- If they draw, their significantly inferior goal difference gives them no hope and Middlesbrough could overtake them
MIDDLESBROUGH, 4th
79 points, GD 25
v Wrexham (A)
Middlesbrough have taken 49 points in 28 matches since the unheralded Swedish coach Kim Hellberg replaced Rob Edwards in late November, but costly home defeats by Portsmouth and Millwall have left them relying on others.
- If they beat Wrexham, they need to hope Ipswich lose and Millwall fail to win
- If they win and Ipswich draw, they need to win by at least six goals to overturn the goal difference deficit and also hope Millwall fail to win
PLAY-OFFS
Two of Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough will be in the play-offs, along with fifth-placed Southampton, but three teams are fighting for the final spot…
WREXHAM, 6th
70 points, GD 4
v Middlesbrough (H)
In the latest chapter of the Hollywood story, Wrexham are guaranteed to finish in their highest league position ever, and director Shaun Harvey has declared the season a success whatever happens.
- If they win, they just need to match Hull’s margin of victory due to goal difference
- If they draw, they have to hope Hull and Derby fail to win
- If they lose, they will have to hope Hull and Derby also lose
Wrexham are gunning for an incredible fourth successive promotion under Phil Parkinson
HULL CITY, 7th
70 points, GD 3
v Norwich (H)
Getting to this position is an achievement in itself given Hull were handed a three-window transfer fee embargo last summer – reduced to two on appeal – but Sergej Jakirovic’s side have been driven on by the goals of a resurgent Oli McBurnie and loanee Joe Gelhardt.
- If they win and Wrexham do, they need to better the Welsh side’s margin of victory by one to overturn the goal difference deficit. They have scored more goals so would finish higher.
- If they win and Wrexham fail to, they will overtake them
- If they draw, they require Wrexham to lose and Derby to fail to win
DERBY COUNTY, 8th
69 points, GD 9
v Sheffield United (H)
John Eustace has shown once again what an underrated Championship manager he is, and Sammie Szmodics, Ben Brereton Diaz and Carlton Morris bring attacking pedigree after Patrick Agyemang’s season-ending injury.
- If they win and Wrexham and Hull both fail to, they will finish in the top six
- If they draw and their rivals both lose, they will finish above them on goal difference
At the bottom, Oxford United, Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday are already relegated to League One.
LEAGUE ONE
Lincoln City and Cardiff have confirmed their place in the Championship for next season, while Bolton have a spot in the play-offs, but five teams are competing for the final three places…
PLAY-OFFS
STOCKPORT COUNTY, 4th
74 points, GD 11
v Barnsley (A)
Stockport finished in the play-offs last season after two promotions in three seasons before that, but their form has been inconsistent in recent months and a defensive injury crisis hasn’t helped, with 19-goal top scorer Kyle Wotton currently filling in at centre back.
- A draw will guarantee them a spot in the play-offs
- If they lose, Stevenage and Luton must win and Bradford have to at least draw to deny them a top-six place
Stockport are hoping to reach the Championship after losing in the play-offs last season
BRADFORD CITY, 5th
74 points, GD 6
v Exeter (A)
Graham Alexander has done an incredible job with Bradford, who were only promoted from League Two last season, although they are staggering over the line with three points from their past four games.
- A draw will guarantee them a spot in the play-offs
- If they lose, Stevenage and Luton must win to deny them a spot
STEVENAGE, 6th
72 points, GD 2
v Wigan (H)
The fact Stevenage are even in the play-off conversation is incredible given they remain one of the smallest clubs in League One, but Alex Revell has built a side with a unique spirit and a watertight defence.
- A win will guarantee a spot in the play-offs
- A draw will only be enough if Luton and Plymouth both don’t win
- If they lose, Luton must also be beaten and Plymouth have to fail to win
Stevenage boss Alex Revell has done a superb job to have his side in play-off contention
LUTON, 7th
71 points, GD 11
v Bolton (A)
After a season hampered by inconsistency, Luton have hit their straps in the spring, winning seven of their last nine league games along with the EFL Trophy, which gave Jack Wilshere his first managerial title.
- If Luton win and Stevenage, Bradford or Stockport lose, they will finish in the top six
- If they win and Stevenage don’t, they will overtake their local rivals, irrespective of what Bradford and Stockport do
- If they draw and Plymouth fail to win and Stevenage lose, they will also secure a play-off spot
PLYMOUTH, 8th
70 points, GD 11
v Northampton (A)
A disastrous start to the season left Plymouth bottom after 15 games, but their faith in boss Tom Cleverley has paid dividends, with the Pilgrims taking 57 points from the subsequent 30 matches.
- Plymouth must win and hope both Stevenage and Luton fail to do so in order to finish in the top six
RELEGATION
Northampton Town, Rotherham and Port Vale have already been relegated, but the final team to drop to League Two will be either Exeter City and Leyton Orient.
LEYTON ORIENT, 20th
51 points, GD -12
v Burton Albion (H)
Having lost in the play-off final last season, it’s been a dreadful season for Leyton Orient despite having the division’s top scorer Dom Ballard. Boss Richie Wellens is also serving a touchline ban for the final game.
- Leyton Orient will be safe unless Exeter win, in which case they will likely have to as well given their goal difference
Leyton Orient reached the play-off final last season but could be relegated on the final day
EXETER CITY, 21st
49 points, GD -8
v Bradford City (H)
When boss Gary Caldwell left for Wigan in February, Exeter were 13th, but they have taken just 10 points from the subsequent 15 games despite having Jayden Wareham’s 19 goals in their ranks.
- Exeter must win, but if Leyton Orient do too they will be relegated regardless.
LEAGUE TWO
Milton Keynes and Bromley have already secured promotion, but three teams are fighting it out for third place…
PROMOTION
CAMBRIDGE UNITED, 3rd
81 points, GD 33
v Crewe Alexandra (A)
Neil Harris is hoping to lead Cambridge back to League One at the first attempt after being powered on by the league’s tightest defence (by 11 goals) and former Man City youngster Ben Knight.
- If they equal or better the results of Salford and Notts County, they will go up.
- If they draw and Salford fail to win, they should finish above Notts County on goal difference whatever happens
- If they lose, they will hope neither Salford or Notts County win
Cambridge are in pole position to return to League One at the first time of asking this weekend
SALFORD CITY, 4th
80 points, GD 10
v Crawley Town (A)
Seven years after reaching the EFL, Salford finally have a team competing at the top of League Two. Although they are no longer owned by the Class of 92, Gary Neville and David Beckham remain involved and will be desperate for their side to go up under boss Karl Robinson.
- Salford have to win and hope Cambridge fail to do so, with their goal difference significantly inferior to the Us.
Gary Neville will be desperate for Salford to finally go up to League One this season
NOTTS COUNTY, 5th
79 points, GD 22
v Bristol Rovers (H)
For a second successive season, Notts County can be promoted automatically on the final day, and in a tight game the combined 29 goals of Matthew Dennis and Alassana Jatta could be key.
- Notts County must win and rely on Cambridge and Salford drawing or losing
PLAY-OFFS
Two of Cambridge, Salford and Notts County will have to settle for a play-off shootout – and they will be joined by Grimsby, who are guaranteed a place. Barnet are just two points off seventh but cannot make it – because the two teams either side of the play-off line are playing each other…
CHESTERFIELD, 7th – 76pts, GD 14
SWINDON, 8th – 75pts, GD 12
It couldn’t be set up much better, with Ian Holloway’s Swindon hosting Paul Cook’s Chesterfield. The Spireites have given themselves a chance thanks to a superb run at the end of the season – unbeaten in seven with five wins in that time. Holloway, meanwhile, admitted this week that the wheels have come off for his side, with just one win in six as they limp towards the line. The equation is pretty simple…
- Swindon must beat Chesterfield at home to reach the play-offs
- Chesterfield know a draw will be enough
RELEGATION
Barrow are almost certain to be relegated barring an enormous goal difference swing following a tumultuous season that has seen the club have five managers, but one of Tranmere Rovers, Newport County, Crawley Town or Harrogate Town will join them.
TRANMERE ROVERS, 20th
40 points, GD -25
v Grimsby Town (H)
Tranmere fans will be counting their lucky stars that their situation isn’t worse given they have taken just eight points from their past 21 games, but they remain one point clear of the relegation zone.
- Tranmere will stay up if they match the result of Newport, Crawley or Harrogate and don’t experience a big hit to their goal difference
- If they lose, they will hope Harrogate don’t win, and Newport and Crawley don’t at least draw
NEWPORT COUNTY, 21st
40 points, GD -30
v Barrow (A)
Leicester City title-winner Christian Fuchs is close to completing a great escape having taken over in November with Newport bottom of the table. Their victory over Oldham last week came in the 18th minute of added time.
- Newport must at least match the result of Crawley or Harrogate
- If Crawley and Harrogate win and Newport draw, they will overtake Tranmere if the Wirral-based side are beaten
CRAWLEY TOWN, 22nd
39 points, GD -24
v Salford City (H)
Former globetrotting forward Colin Kazim-Richards, who played for 18 clubs across eight countries, took charge last month and has picked up eight points from six games, but the battle for Crawley to avoid successive relegations has gone to the wire.
- Crawley need to match the result of Harrogate
- They could overtake Newport and Tranmere with a win if those sides don’t
- A draw could take the Red Devils above Newport and Tranmere on goal difference
Colin Kazim-Richards is battling to keep Crawley in the EFL in his first managerial role
HARROGATE TOWN, 23rd
39 points, GD -28
v Barnet (H)
The EFL’s longest-serving manager Simon Weaver (16 years and 342 days) has kept Harrogate, who are owned by his father Irving, in League Two for five seasons, but they have never been closer to the drop than now.
- If Harrogate win and one of their three rivals doesn’t, they will stay up
- A draw could take them above Crawley if they lose or Newport or Tranmere on goal difference if those sides suffer defeat
- A defeat would only keep them up if Crawley suffered a significantly heavier loss
