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EFL Championship final day: Live scores, team news and updates as Ipswich hold advantage of Leeds in race for final automatic promotion place and relegation battle goes to the wire

4 months ago 34

By Luke Power

Published: 11:30 BST, 4 May 2024 | Updated: 11:53 BST, 4 May 2024

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An American nightmare!

Birmingham City must be looking forlornly at Aston Villa's fortunes, especially with their current plight.

This season started so promisingly, and it could end with devastation. Either way, it will be gut-wrenching.

A phenomenal year

One of Ipswich and Leeds will not go up automatically today, and that is such a shame.

Earning 90 points wins you the title most seasons. Last time Leeds went up in 2019-20, West Brom finished second on 83 points. They'll be so unlucky if they don't go up.

It's been a great year of Championship football. Who are you backing?

How it happened: Ipswich move to within a point of promotion

Tom Collomosse followed Ipswich to Coventry on Tuesday, where Kieffer Moore and Cameron Burgess helped them to a tival 2-1 win.

What a loan signing Moore has been, by the way. He's brought his brash, combative style to the side and scored seven times in 17 appearances.

Remind yourself of the action here.

Leeds vs Southampton line-ups

Leeds face a stern test against Southampton today, who are already solidly in the play-offs and will want to drag Leedsin to the scrap with them.

Ipswich vs Huddersfield line-ups

Ipswich will be feeling optimistic as they meet Huddersfield, who are all but relegated.

The relegation battle is still hot

Five teams are STILL involved in the relegation battle going into the final day - Birmingham, Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn, and Huddersfield (just about).

Birmingham currently occupy the final relegation spot after a disastrous season.

Has their American ownership been a false dawn? They were sixth when they sacked John Eustace, but Wayne Rooney's tenure saw the club plummet to 20th. Gary Rowett, appointed in March on an interim basis, is trying to save them from dropping into the third tier for the first time since 2002.

Plymouth are just a point above them, with Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn three points above Birmingham. Birmingham will overtake Wednesday or Blackburn with a win if one of them loses due to goal difference.

Plymouth, three points from safety, would need results to go their way and a monumental goal difference swing to stay up.

 A general view as fans of Birmingham City arrive at the stadium prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Norwich City at St Andrews (stadium) on May 04, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

No such joy at Leeds... yet?

The mood at Elland Road is less jubilant as fans know they need a miracle to go up - a Leeds win and an Ipswich loss.

Leeds start the day in third, three points behind Ipswich but with a superior goal difference. They'll be hoping the upstarts slip up and give them a chance.

If Leeds do go up, it will be an immediate return to the Premier League under boss Daniel Farke, who has struggled to win over fans at times this season. All that will go out of the window if they seal an automatic promotion spot.

 Fans of Leeds United by an electrical box covered in graffiti reading 'Keep fighting' ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Southampton FC at Elland Road on May 4, 2024 in Leeds, England.(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Look at the scenes at Ipswich!

What a job Kieran McKenna has done at Ipswich, whatever happens today.

McKenna is aiming to bring Premier League football back to Portman Road for the first time since 2002.

Ipswich take on Huddersfield knowing that a draw will confirm their promotion, while their opponents come into the day just a point above the drop zone.

It has been an exhilarating rise since McKenna joined the Tractor Boys in December 2021 with the club 12th in League One. Can they win double promotion?

A huge day of Championship football awaits

Good morning and welcome to Mail Sport's live blog of the final day of the Championship season!

We've got an absolutely manic day lined up, with nine teams still fighting for their dreams, or whatever their dreams have been reduced to, be that automatic promotion, a play-off spot, or survival.

We'll be across all 12 games for you with reporters at the major grounds of the day.

 Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Key Updates

  • Look at the scenes at Ipswich!

  • A huge day of Championship football awaits

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