EPL spot up for taking on final day
LONDON: A place in the Premier League is up for grabs today, with three teams in the chase for the second automatic promotion spot from the Championship on the final day of the second-tier season.
Leeds United have already secured a return to the top flight after a 16-year absence. But West Bromwich Albion, Brentford and Fulham all have a chance of grabbing the runners-up spot and the lucrative prize it brings.
The third promotion place is decided via a four-team play-off, with those slots also to be finalised by today’s action.
Adding to the drama, all three relegation places have yet to be confirmed with Hull City, a Premier League club three years ago, currently bottom.
West Brom are favourites to be holding a socially distanced promotion party, with Slaven Bilic’s side currently occupying second place.
The Baggies know that victory at home to 14th-placed Queens Park Rangers will guarantee them a return to the elite after a two-year absence.
But if the West Midlands side slip up, then the door is open for one of the two London clubs to sneak in on the final day.
Brentford would be back in the top flight for the first time since 1947 if they beat Barnsley at home and West Brom fail to win.
Should neither West Brom nor Brentford win then Fulham, who dropped out of the Premier League last season, would be back if they can win at Wigan Athletic.
The consolation for the two teams that miss out today will be a second chance via the play-off.
Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City are currently fifth and sixth but must win today to make sure of their place in the two-legged play-off semi-final, and potentially the final itself at Wembley on July 29.
Seven teams still have a mathematical chance of being relegated.
Barnsley and Luton are currently in the drop zone along with Hull, while Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City, Middlesbrough and Huddersfield are still not safe.
Only three points separate 22ndplaced Luton from Huddersfield in 18th.