BIG WEEK FOR JZ

BOURNEMOUTH. - There are two games remaining for the Cherries in the Championship promotion race - but what are all the permutations heading into the final 180 minutes of the campaign?

Zimbabwe international, Jordan Zemura, returned to the Bournemouth starting XI and helped his team thrashed Blackburn Rovers 3-0 on Saturday.

In terms of securing automatic promotion, it is fairly simple to work out - victory for Bournemouth over third-placed Nottingham Forest tomorrow ensures a return to the Premier League at the second attempt.

That is thanks to the Dorset club’s current three-point lead over the Tricky Trees, meaning that a win tomorrow will seal it for the Cherries.

Whilst the requirements for promotion may be simple in terms of working them out, actually obtaining the three points required will be a tough ask of Scott Parker’s men.

That’s because Nottingham Forest enter the tie as the in-form side of the division, winning nine of their last 10 league fixtures, recording six clean sheets and conceding just four times.

Only Luton Town have managed to beat them in that timeframe.

Since arriving at the City Ground in late September, Cooper has led his side to 22 wins from 36 league games, picking up 75 points to see Forest surge up the league table after being rock bottom when he was appointed.

In comparison, the Cherries have garnered 64 points during Cooper’s time at the Tricky Trees, adding to the 18 they had earned in their first eight fixtures.

Cooper’s men know that by avoiding defeat at the Vitality Stadium they will drag the promotion battle into the final day.

Victory for Forest will lift them above the Cherries, thanks to their superior goal difference.

A draw would suit the Cherries far more than Nottingham Forest, whilst also having a knock-on effect on fourth-placed Huddersfield.

Currently Carlos Corberan’s Terriers are three points behind the Cherries and Forest, having played one game more.

Of course, if Cherries win, neither Forest or Huddersfield can catch them, but if the two sides draw tomorrow, Huddersfield cannot leapfrog either side.

That means victory for Forest would see all three teams in with a shout on the final day, with Huddersfield then requiring not only the two sides above them to both lose, but for a massive goal-swing to go in their favour.

Speaking of massive goal-swings, if Fulham fail to beat Luton tomorrow evening, Cherries are still in with an outside chance of lifting the title.

Victory for Fulham would make it a certainty, while a draw would effectively hand the Cottagers the title thanks to Fulham’s goal difference, which is nearly double the Cherries.

Even if Fulham lose, Cherries must win their remaining fixtures to have any chance of snatching the title on the final day.

While is the title race and the battle for second mapped out, it may be worth a quick glance at the playoff picture.

That’s because the Cherries’ opponents on Saturday, Millwall, are in with a shout to finish in the play-offs. The Lions are currently three points behind Sheffield United, who occupy the final play-off spot.

The Blades host Fulham on Saturday, meaning that if the title does go down to the final game of the season, both Fulham and the Cherries are playing sides with something to play for,

It would still be a tall ask for Millwall, who require results to go their way thanks to their slightly worse goal difference.

However, with Fulham’s goal-scoring prowess, it does not seem unreasonable that Sheffield United could ship a few - but still, Gary Rowett’s side would need to beat Cherries, whilst hoping that Middlesbrough are not victorious away at Preston North End.

If the automatic promotion race goes to the final day, Forest are away at lowly Hull City, who have nothing but pride to play for. - Bournemouth