There’s all to play for at top and bottom of table
ON Sunday, Cardiff City go in search of a final-day victory against Reading that will see them gain promotion into the promised land of the Premier League.
The Bluebirds moved back into second place in the Championship by beating Hull City 2-0 at the KCom Stadium last time out having seen Fulham narrowly overcome Sunderland less than 24 hours before their clash with Nigel Adkins’ men.
The Cottagers are relying on a slipup from the Bluebirds on Sunday, although there is an unlikely scenario in which Slavisa Jokanovic’s men could gain promotion with just a draw from their clash with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
And, as far as the bottom end of the table is concerned, both Reading and Birmingham go into the final day needing a point to guarantee their place in the Championship next term, although both can survive even if they lose as long as other results go their way.
There’s set to be a record crowd in attendance in South Wales, with Cardiff confirming that all tickets for the hugely-anticipated clash with Paul Clement’s side have already been snapped up.
So, with all of that in mind, here’s exactly what each potential outcome will mean for the promotion battle on the final day of the campaign...
CARDIFF WIN
THIS would be the dream scenario for all Cardiff fans as they will be playing Premier League football next term with victory over the Royals, regardless of how Fulham get on at Birmingham.
It would spark memorable scenes at Cardiff City Stadium, with a record crowd set to be present to celebrate what would be a truly magnificent achievement under Neil Warnock.
If Cardiff win and Fulham win:
Cardiff finish second with one more point than Fulham
If Cardiff win and Fulham draw:
Cardiff finish second with three more points than Fulham
If Cardiff win and Fulham lose:
Cardiff finish second with four more points that Fulham
CARDIFF DRAW
THIS is where things get nervy.
If the Bluebirds only manage to claim a point on the last day, they would be hoping for a favour from Birmingham.
Cardiff could still gain promotion with a draw against Reading, as long as Fulham fail to beat Garry Monk’s Blues in the Midlands.
f Cardiff draw and Fulham win:
Cardiff finish third and go into the play-offs having ended a point behind Fulham
If Cardiff draw and Fulham draw:
Cardiff finish second with one more point than Fulham
If Cardiff draw and Fulham lose:
Cardiff finish second with two more points than Fulham
CARDIFF LOSE
THE nightmare scenario for the Cardiff faithful.
If Cardiff were to suffer defeat, they would need Fulham to lose at Birmingham to remain in second place.
Any other outcome (a Fulham win or a draw) at St Andrew’s would see the Cottagers go up automatically, with Cardiff then being forced to settle for the play-offs.
If Cardiff lose and Fulham win:
Cardiff finish third and go into the play-offs having ended two points behind Fulham
If Cardiff lose and Fulham draw:
Cardiff finish third and go into the play-offs having ended level on points with Fulham who have a better goal difference
If Cardiff lose and Fulham lose:
Cardiff finish second with one more point than Fulham
WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR THE PROMOTION AND RELEGATION BATTLES
AS long as the Bluebirds beat Reading, they will be playing Premier League football next season. But the bottom line is, if they better or match Fulham’s result against Birmingham, they will clinch the all-important runner-up spot.
As far as the relegation race is concerned, Birmingham and Reading will both clinch survival if they can overcome the odds by securing wins on Sunday. But they could even stay up if they don’t win.
Birmingham will stay up with a draw as long as long as one of the following scenarios occur:
Reading lose to Cardiff Barnsley fail to beat Derby Burton fail to beat Preston by 10 or more goals
Reading will stay up with a draw as long as one of the following scenarios occur:
Birmingham don’t beat Fulham Barnsley fail to beat Derby Burton fail to beat Preston by 20 goals
And both the Royals and the Blues could remain in England’s second tier even if they lose on Sunday.
Birmingham could lose and still stay up as long as two of the following scenarios unfold:
Barnsley fail to beat Derby Burton fail to beat Preston Bolton don’t beat Nottingham Forest and overturn a four-goal swing Reading lose to Cardiff by 11 goals or more than the amount Birmingham lose to Fulham
Reading could lose and still stay up if two of the following occur:
Birmingham lose against Fulham Barnsley fail to beat Derby Burton fail to beat Preston Bolton don’t beat Nottingham Forest and overturn a 14-goal swing.