The English Football League (EFL) regular season reaches its climactic conclusion on Saturday, with an array of significant outcomes hanging in the balance across the Championship, League One, and League Two. While the subsequent playoffs offer a path to promotion for several teams, the final day decides automatic promotion spots, secures playoff places, and determines which clubs face the drop.
As the season wraps up, only one division, League One, has seen its champion confirmed – Birmingham City. However, playoff positions remain contested in all three tiers, and the battle to avoid relegation continues to be intense, particularly in the Championship.
1. The Quest for 100 Points
Achieving a triple-figure points tally in an English league season is a mark of exceptional performance. Historically, only 16 clubs had reached 100 points before this season. However, this year presents a unique possibility of three teams accomplishing this feat across the top four divisions.
League One champions Birmingham City have already surpassed the 100-point mark, setting a new record for the highest points total in an English league season. With a dominant record, they could potentially finish the campaign on 111 points, a figure their manager once deemed insurmountable.
In the Championship, both Leeds United and Burnley still have an opportunity to reach 100 points. Should either side hit this milestone and not win the league (which is more probable for Burnley given Leeds` superior goal difference), they would be the first teams to do so. Leeds face Plymouth Argyle, while Burnley are up against Millwall. Despite securing Premier League spots, both clubs are vying for the Championship title.
2. Championship Playoff Congestion
The final day of the Championship season is famously unpredictable, especially concerning the scramble for playoff spots. With Sheffield United and Sunderland having secured third and fourth place, five teams are competing for the remaining two coveted positions.
Bristol City and Coventry City currently occupy fifth and sixth and control their own destiny, but face tough matches against teams with their own objectives (Preston fighting relegation, Middlesbrough chasing playoffs). Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, and Middlesbrough are close behind, needing wins and favorable results elsewhere.
Key final fixtures include Bristol City vs. Preston North End, Burnley vs. Millwall, Coventry City vs. Middlesbrough, and Sheffield United vs. Blackburn Rovers. Millwall faces a particularly difficult path, likely requiring a win against strong opposition in Burnley and help from other results.
Playoff Picture (Standings Before Final Day)
| Team | W | D | L | For | Against | GD | Pts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Sheffield United | 28 | 7 | 10 | 62 | 35 | 27 | 89 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 21 | 13 | 11 | 58 | 43 | 15 | 76 |
| 5 | Bristol City | 17 | 16 | 12 | 57 | 53 | 4 | 67 |
| 6 | Coventry City | 19 | 9 | 17 | 62 | 58 | 4 | 66 |
| 7 | Millwall | 18 | 12 | 15 | 46 | 46 | 0 | 66 |
| 8 | Blackburn Rovers | 19 | 8 | 18 | 52 | 47 | 5 | 65 |
| 9 | Middlesbrough | 18 | 10 | 17 | 64 | 54 | 10 | 64 |
Remaining fixtures:
- Bristol City vs. Preston North End
- Burnley vs. Millwall
- Coventry City vs. Middlesbrough
- Sheffield United vs. Blackburn Rovers
3. Five-Way Championship Relegation Battle
Avoiding relegation from the Championship is crucial for clubs, and five teams are in danger of dropping into League One on the final day, potentially joining Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle. Hull City starts the day precariously in 22nd place.
The fate of teams is intertwined, highlighted by the direct clash between Derby County and Stoke City. A point for Stoke secures their safety and significantly aids Derby. Hull City requires a result against Portsmouth and relies on outcomes in other matches, as their destiny is not entirely in their hands. Luton Town, showing strong form recently, hope to achieve a dramatic escape against West Bromwich Albion.
The final day often produces unexpected results under pressure, making the relegation picture highly tense.
Relegation Picture (Standings Before Final Day)
| Team | W | D | L | For | Against | GD | Pts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Oxford United | 13 | 13 | 19 | 46 | 62 | -16 | 52 |
| 18 | Stoke City | 12 | 14 | 19 | 45 | 62 | -17 | 50 |
| 19 | Derby County | 13 | 10 | 22 | 48 | 56 | -8 | 49 |
| 20 | Preston North End | 10 | 19 | 16 | 46 | 57 | -11 | 49 |
| 21 | Luton Town | 13 | 10 | 22 | 42 | 63 | -22 | 49 |
| 22 | Hull City | 12 | 12 | 21 | 43 | 53 | -10 | 48 |
| 23 | Plymouth Argyle | 11 | 13 | 21 | 50 | 86 | -36 | 46 |
| 24 | Cardiff City | 9 | 17 | 19 | 46 | 69 | -23 | 44 |
Remaining fixtures:
- Bristol City vs. Preston North End
- Derby County vs. Stoke City
- Portsmouth vs. Hull City
- West Bromwich Albion vs. Luton Town
4. Reading`s Playoff Push Amidst Ownership Crisis
In League One, while the automatic promotion and relegation spots are settled (Wrexham joining champions Birmingham), the fight for the final playoff position provides late drama. Leyton Orient currently holds sixth place, but Reading is a strong contender.
Reading`s recent form on the pitch has been impressive, including an eight-game winning streak. However, this success is overshadowed by a significant ownership crisis under Dai Yongge, which has led to points deductions and the threat of expulsion from the EFL. Yongge has been disqualified and ordered to sell, but the process has been fraught with difficulties and legal disputes.
Reading`s playoff chances depend on Leyton Orient`s result against Huddersfield and their own game against Barnsley. If they secure a playoff spot, the ongoing off-field issues, including the critical May 5 deadline for the owner to sell, could cast a long shadow over their playoff campaign and the club`s future.
5. Can Walsall Recover for a League Two Playoff Spot?
League Two still features a title race and open playoff positions. A notable story is the dramatic collapse of Walsall, who went from strong title contenders to struggling for a playoff spot.
Walsall were leading the league comfortably in January after a nine-game winning run. However, their form has plummeted since, with only two wins in their last 20 matches, putting them among the worst performers in the EFL over that period. Despite underlying statistics suggesting they haven`t been as poor as results indicate, luck has seemingly abandoned them.
Heading into the final day, Walsall sit a point behind Bradford for the final playoff spot. They need help from Fleetwood Town against Bradford and must secure a win themselves against Crewe Alexandra (another team whose form has dropped). The final match represents a last opportunity for Walsall to salvage their season and clinch a playoff chance.
Adrian Whitmore