THE PERMUTATION GAME
PREMIER LEAGUE
If Chelsea win at Manchester United tomorrow, the Red Devils cannot make the top four, barring a huge swing in goal difference.
If Cardiff lose at Fulham today and Brighton beat Newcastle, then Neil Warnock’s side are all but down because of their vastly inferior goal difference. CHAMPIONSHIP
A point for Norwich at home to Blackburn today takes them up. If Sheffield United beat Ipswich, they will be all but promoted, leaving Leeds, who play Aston Villa tomorrow, needing a big goal-difference swing. West Brom, like Leeds, are guaranteed a play-off spot and Villa can officially join them with a point.
If Rotherham lose at West Brom today, they are all but relegated because of their goal difference. If they lose and Millwall bank a point at home to Stoke, they are officially down. Reading need a point to be officially safe. LEAGUE ONE
A return to the Championship will be Luton’s if they win at Burton and Sunderland beat Portsmouth. Luton, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Sunderland and Charlton are guaranteed play-off places, with Doncaster, Coventry and Peterborough vying for the final spot.
Bradford are down, but any of the sides from Gillingham and below could still join them. Walsall will be down if they lose at home to Peterborough today, and even victory would not be enough, if Southend and Plymouth win at Rochdale and Accrington respectively. Accrington, Rochdale, Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury and Wycombe can all guarantee safety with wins. LEAGUE TWO
Lincoln have the title and Bury will be promoted as well if they win at Tranmere, and either MK Dons lose at Colchester or Mansfield lose to Stevenage. Both Colchester and Stevenage are still chasing the play-offs, along with Carlise, Newport, Oldham, Crewe and Swindon. Exeter occupy the one spot still up for grabs.
Bottom-of-thetable Notts County will be relegated into the National League, if they lose at home to Grimsby and Macclesfield win at Port Vale. A win for the Silkmen will also relegate Yeovil, if they lose at Northampton. NATIONAL LEAGUE
On the final day of the National League regular season, Leyton Orient will bank the sole automatic promotion place with a point at home to Braintree. Even if they lose, Salford, in second, need a fivegoal swing to overtake them. Third-placed Solihull Moors, also three points off top spot, need an eight-goal swing. OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admits Manchester United have been treading water since Sir Alex Ferguson retired six years ago.
They are currently sixth, 25 points behind defending champions Manchester City following a 2-0 derby defeat by their neighbours. After Ferguson retired in 2013 following their last title triumph, the Reds’ average points haul has been 70, with an average position in the Premier League of 4.8. Solskjaer (left) accepted it was a fair reflection of the club and showed the task he has in trying to take them back to the top. “We’ve all seen the reality in the