Only one of Derby County, Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers will survive this weekend, and with it being the Championship, anything can happen.
The second tier is well known for its drama and surprise results, and Saturday’s final-day promises to deliver more of the same.
We take a look at the games that matter, with the playoff places already decided several weeks ago.
League One Beckons for Derby or Wednesday
21st-placed Derby County welcome 23rd-placed Sheffield Wednesday to Pride Park in what is the pick of the games down at the bottom of the table.
Preparing for Saturday's 2020/21 finale at Pride Park
#DCFC pic.twitter.com/GKKeB2gt6D
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) May 6, 2021
The Rams are in dire form of late, losing six games on the spin under manager Wayne Rooney. Derby have only won one of their previous 14 matches in the second tier.
Sheffield Wednesday’s form is not much better, with the Owls winning two of their last eight in the second tier.
Fortunately for Derby, they have a two-point cushion over Rotherham, but that may not be enough to save them. Derby need to avoid defeat to survive, but it looks as if the two teams could cancel each other out.
Wednesday’s form on the road has seen them lose eight in nine, and it is hard to back either side with conviction, so a draw appeals at 47/20, a result that should keep Derby in the second tier.
A Step Too Far for Rotherham
Paul Warne’s Rotherham United travel to face Cardiff in Wales this weekend, knowing they need to win and better Derby County’s result.
The Millers have had it hard the last few months due to a fixture pile-up, and even though underdog backers want them to get the job done, it looks a tall order this week.
Cardiff look overpriced at 6/4 to win, with the Bluebirds unbeaten in five games, and they have only lost two of their previous nine on home soil.
Rotherham have managed to draw their last two matches, but they are without a win in five on the road, and they have failed to score in all of those games.
Wycombe to Go Down Fighting
Wycombe’s first season in the Championship was always going to be tough, and they have done themselves proud without the backing of their loyal supporters.
The Chairboys lost their first seven matches, and they have done remarkably well to take their battle until the final day. Sadly they need a miracle to survive.
Gareth Ainsworth’s men have spent just one week outside the relegation zone all season, and they need to beat Middlesbrough by 12 goals and hope Sheffield Wednesday beat Derby by a single goal, while they also need Cardiff to avoid defeat against Rotherham.
So as we said, a miracle is what they need, but that is not to say they will not give Boro problems.
Wycombe’s squad will already be resigned to relegation, but they can still find the back of the net at the Riverside Stadium. They have beaten Bristol City and Bournemouth in recent weeks, but Boro’s form is hard to ignore.
Neil Warnock’s men have not lost any of their previous three, while it is one defeat in six at home and a Boro win with both teams to score appeals at 9/4.
*All odds correct at time of writing
