Portsmouth News

Blades down and Foxes up? A look at the key issues in top four tiers

Birmingham could go down to League One, while Sutton are on brink of making a nonleague return

- By Tom White

Two of the Premier League's promoted and relegated teams last season could switch places again this weekend – here The News takes a close look at the issues at stake as the League One and Two regular season also comes to an end.

Premier League: While the title race has a way to run, Sheffield United could be relegated this weekend. Ten points adrift of safety with four games left, the Blades' fate will be sealed either if they lose at Newcastle tomorrow - the Magpies beat them 8-0 at Bramall Lane earlier in the season - or if Nottingham Forest match their result when they face Manchester City on Sunday.

Championsh­ip: Leicester will be promoted if they beat Preston on Monday.

Their elevation could be sealed before they take to the field, should second-placed Leeds lose to QPR tonight. Third-placed Ipswich's game in hand means Leeds cannot seal promotion this weekend.

Huddersfie­ld and Birmingham meet in a key relegation battle - if the Terriers lose, they are down, while even a draw would not be enough should Sheffield Wednesday win and Plymouth earn a point.

Blues could go down if they lose, Plymouth and Wednesday win and Blackburn avoid defeat.

Derby will go up automatica­lly unless they lose at home to relegated Carlisle, Bolton win at Peterborou­gh and there is a four-goal swing in Wanderers' favour. Posh join the losers of that battle in the play-offs, with the final two places up for grabs.

Cheltenham must beat Stevenage to have any chance of survival - they would then be hoping Burton fail to beat Fleetwood or Cambridge lose to Port Vale.

Sutton are still fighting for survival but need a win at MK Dons, defeat for Colchester to Crewe and either a four- or five-goal swing depending on goals scored.

In their favour is the fact the Dons are the only team set in a play-off place, while Crewe still need a point. Doncaster would also be in with a draw, as would Barrow if they beat promoted Mansfield.

League One:

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom