Final day of the EFL Championship season, what will results mean for the teams with play-off places still to play for?

Fulham claimed promotion to the Premier League for the third time in five years winning the title in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside play off hopeful’s Luton 7-0. Bournemouth soon joined them a day later after their narrow 1-0 victory over third place Nottingham Forest.

With two of the three future Premier League clubs fate already decided, we will learn who the final team to join them is on Saturday the 7th of May. Sheffield United, Luton, Middlesbrough and Millwall will all need results to go their way in order to each secure a play-off place.

After an incredible season for Steve Cooper and his Forest side, they will join Huddersfield in the play-off semi-finals which are dated for the 13th till the 17th of May. Third place Forest will play sixth with Huddersfield facing fifth place.

The Reds only need to match Huddersfield’s result to guarantee third place and give themselves a chance to play in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

The Championship play-off final will be played on Sunday, May 29.

Final Day fixtures

All games kick-off 12:30pm

• Bournemouth vs Millwall
• Birmingham vs Blackburn
• Stoke City vs Coventry
• West Brom vs Barnsley
• Huddersfield vs Bristol City
• Hull vs Nottingham Forest
• Luton vs Reading
• Preston vs Middlesbrough
• Sheffield united vs Fulham
• Swansea vs QPR
• Peterborough vs Blackpool
• Derby vs Cardiff

Who needs what results?

Millwall must win and hope Luton lose, or win and hope Sheffield United lose with a five-goal swing. Middlesbrough must win and hope Luton or Sheffield United lose; a Luton draw and Middlesbrough victory would also see Chris Wilder’s team make the play-offs if Sheffield United lose.

How have each of the four sides ended up in this position?

Sheffield United
The blades seemed to be out of the promotion conversation but for Paul Heckingbottom has turned their fortunes around since his appointment following the sacking of Slavisa Jakanovic. The South Yorkshire team have enjoyed an excellent second half of the season mounting them as second favourites behind Forest for a return to the Premier League.

Luton Town
Luton have been this season’s surprise package mounting a play-off push under the management of Welshman Nathan Jones, who’s masterminded much of their rise since promotion back to the EFL in 2014. With a new stadium on the way and some brilliant performances this season, it’s no wonder Luton fans will be thinking they deserve to end the season in the play-offs.

Middlesbrough
After Luton Town’s hammering, Middlesbrough are back in the fight for one of the two remaining play-off places. After their unlikely turn of form since November and mounting a quarter final ending FA Cup run, it’s clear to see why Chris Wilder’s side have the opportunity to reach the Premier League again for the first time since 2017.

Millwall
After putting on a great run of form to end the season Millwall have snuck their way into the question of making a play-off place which could see them reach the Premier League for the first time in their history. Though Millwall will need to beat promoted Bournemouth and for results to go their way which places them at the bottom of the bookies odds of making it to Wembley.

No matter what the results one things for certain, the team’s final day deciders are a credit to what has been another exciting and competitive season in England’s second division from the top flight.

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