Championship

Championship permutations: Burnley gunning for title, two teams facing relegation

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 21 April 2023

Sports Mole looks at the permutations at both ends of the Championship table ahead of this weekend's action, as Burnley go for the title.

The 2022-23 Championship campaign is nearing its conclusion following yet another thrilling season in the second tier, with just three matches remaining for most of the teams in the division.

There is still plenty to be decided, though, with only one automatic promotion spot sewn up and all three relegation places yet to be confirmed.

Here Sports Mole takes a look through what could be decided at both ends of the table in the next round of matches this weekend.

THIS WEEKEND'S CHAMPIONSHIP PERMUTATIONS

Burnley's Ian Maatsen celebrates promotion to the Premier League with teammates on April 7, 2023 © Reuters

Already promoted: Burnley

Guaranteed at least playoffs: Sheffield United, Luton Town

Already relegated: None

WHAT COULD HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND?

Burnley could win the title

Wigan Athletic could be relegated

Blackpool could be relegated

TITLE PICTURE

Championship table top two

KEY FIXTURE

Burnley vs. Queens Park Rangers (Saturday, 3pm)

BURNLEY

Having already missed out on the chance to be crowned champions before this weekend, Burnley's task at home to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers this weekend is simple: win, and they will win the title.

Victory would open up an unassailable 13-point gap at the top of the table, with Sheffield United in FA Cup semi-final action and not featuring again in the Championship until Wednesday.

Anything less than a win for Burnley would leave them having to wait until at least Wednesday to be coronated as the winners of the Championship.

RELEGATION BATTLE

Championship relegation picture April 20, 2023

KEY FIXTURES

Wigan Athletic vs. Millwall (Saturday, 3pm)
Birmingham City vs. Blackpool (Saturday, 3pm)

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Wigan's narrow victory over Stoke City in midweek staved off the threat of relegation for a few days, but they are still in dire straits and in need of the greatest of escapes.

Victory over playoff-chasing Millwall this Saturday is the only way for them to guarantee that they will take their survival bid to another match, whereas a defeat will see their relegation confirmed with two games to spare.

A draw will see them reliant on other results to survive for another week, but they would be relegated if they draw, Reading beat Coventry City and QPR avoid defeat to Burnley.

BLACKPOOL

Blackpool find themselves just one point better off than Wigan, although their situation is not quite as perilous just yet in that they could lose to Birmingham on Saturday and still not be mathematically relegated this weekend.

However, defeat at St Andrew's would relegate Blackpool if Reading win and QPR win or draw against Burnley.

A draw could also be enough to relegate Blackpool this weekend, although for that to be the case Reading and QPR would both need to win, and Cardiff City would need to avoid defeat against Stoke.