The Championship and the Playoffs

With the Premier League all ready wrapped up except for the last two Champions League spots and Relegation for one last unlucky team, let’s turn our attention to the Championship.

The Championship seems to be where most of the end of season excitement will be this year. So far only Cardiff has secure automatic promotion and with a win today at Oakwell, Hull can claim the other spot. Watford’s 2-1 win against Leicester City yesterday keeps them in the running for automatic promotion if Hull draws or loses to Barnsley. Barnsley will not go gentle into that good night though they sit near the bottom of the table. They are fighting for survival and will give Hull all they can handle.

With at least Watford or Hull in the first playoff spot, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Bolton all control their own destinies. Win out and they are in the playoffs, slip up and Nottingham Forest and Leicester, who face each other on the last day, are waiting to take it away from one of them.

Bolton has been on a good run lately and looks to finish the season in good shape. They face Cardiff today, who may still be suffering from promotion hangovers and on the final day, face Blackpool.

Crystal Palace looks to be the team most likely to fall if they cannot get it together. They have not won a game in their last seven outings. Holloway must right the ship or it will be a long summer for Palace. It looks to be an exciting time in the Championship with six teams still alive for a playoff spot and some really good matches to come once the teams are set. Stay tuned, there is still plenty of good football left; it just isn't in the Premier League.

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/hull_city/the_championship_and_the_playoffs_rss4075080.shtml