Championship

This weekend's Championship permutations: Three teams facing possible relegation

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 28 April 2023

Sports Mole rounds up all of the permutations from this weekend's Championship action, with as many as three teams facing the threat of relegation.

The penultimate weekend of another engrossing Championship season is now upon us, with plenty still to be decided as we enter gameweek 45, which is stretched out over the next four days.

The two automatic promotion places have now been confirmed, with Burnley going up as champions and Sheffield United joining them in the Premier League next season, but the race for the two remaining playoff spots is still fiercely contested.

As many as nine teams are still in contention for those two places despite there only being two games left, and only one of those teams could possibly wrap up a top-six finish with a game to spare this weekend.

At the other end, no team has yet been mathematically condemned to relegation, but three teams are in danger of suffering that fate this weekend.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of the permutations for this weekend's Championship action.

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, Sheffield United

Guaranteed playoffs: Luton Town, Middlesbrough

Already relegated: None

WHAT COULD HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND?

Wigan Athletic could be relegated

Blackpool could be relegated

Reading could be relegated

Coventry City could secure a playoff spot

PLAYOFF PICTURE

Championship playoff picture April 28 2023

KEY FIXTURES

Blackpool vs. Millwall (Friday, 8pm)
Coventry City vs. Birmingham City (Saturday, 3pm)
Sunderland vs. Watford (Saturday, 3pm)
Blackburn Rovers vs. Luton Town (Monday, 5.30pm)

COVENTRY CITY

Just three points separate fifth from 10th place with two games remaining, with four of those teams being only one point apart in a thrilling playoff battle.

With Luton Town and Middlesbrough already assured of top-six finishes, Coventry are just about in pole position to join them in the playoffs, and they could secure their place this weekend.

However, their fate depends on results elsewhere, with an unlikely set of scorelines needed for them to be safe in the top six with one game to spare.

With five teams within three points, Coventry would need to win and hope that four of those five teams below them drop points; Sunderland, Millwall and Blackburn would all need to lose, while West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End would need to draw or lose to put the Sky Blues out of reach.

As mentioned, only four of those five scenarios need to occur for Coventry to be in the playoffs - for example if Millwall win against Blackpool on Friday but Sunderland and Blackburn both lose, and West Brom and Preston both fail to win, then Coventry would seal a top-six finish.

RELEGATION BATTLE

Championship relegation picture April 28 2023

KEY FIXTURES

Blackpool vs. Millwall (Friday, 8pm)
Reading vs. Wigan Athletic (Saturday, 3pm)
Cardiff City vs. Huddersfield Town (Sunday, 12pm)
Rotherham United vs. Middlesbrough (Monday, 1pm)

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Wigan have done well to stave off the threat of relegation for this long, winning their last two matches to keep their survival hopes alive, but their position remains perilous heading into Saturday's huge showdown with fellow relegation zone dwellers Reading.

Defeat in that game will confirm their immediate return to League One regardless of what happens elsewhere, while even a draw would not be enough if Huddersfield then avoid defeat against Cardiff on Sunday.

Indeed, even a win against Reading on Saturday might not save Shaun Maloney's side if Huddersfield also win on Sunday and Rotherham avoid defeat against Middlesbrough on Monday afternoon.

BLACKPOOL

Blackpool welcome playoff-chasing Millwall to Bloomfield Road on Friday night knowing that only a win will guarantee that their bid for survival goes into the final week of the season.

If they lose then they will be relegated due to Huddersfield facing Reading on the final day of the season, while if they draw then relegation could be confirmed on Saturday, should Reading beat Wigan in that crunch match at the bottom of the table.

Even if Reading do not beat Wigan, Blackpool will still not quite be out of the woods, as relegation will be confirmed if they fail to match or better Huddersfield's result against Cardiff on Sunday, ensuring a nervy wait if they do not beat Millwall.

READING

Reading are in slightly better shape than the two teams below them in the table, but there is still a scenario where they go down this weekend, despite only being one point away from safety.

Defeat against Wigan on Saturday would leave them squarely in the hands of others, and they will be relegated if Huddersfield then win on Sunday and Rotherham avoid defeat on Monday - incidentally, the same sequence of results that could also see Wigan relegated on Monday.

Even a draw could leave Reading in danger of being relegated before they kick another ball due to Huddersfield's game in hand next midweek, so beating Wigan is the only way they can guarantee that their survival push will go to the final day.