Championship relegation battle: How can Bolton, Birmingham, Burton Albion, Reading and Barnsley stay up on final day? Full permutations
The Championship has reached its final day and five teams can still join Sunderland in League One next season
THE Championship has reached its last day with all still to play for.
And while eyes will be on Fulham and Cardiff's battle for promotion, the fight to avoid the drop is even more likely to go to the wire.
Five teams can still join Sunderland in League One next season.
Here's all you need to know about Reading, Birmingham, Barnsley, Burton and Bolton's chances.
What do Reading need to do to stay in the Championship?
Reading's fate remains very much in their own hands - if they earn a point at Cardiff they will be safe.
But even if they lose, the Royals will only go down if Birmingham get at least a draw against Fulham, Barnsley win at Derby AND Burton win at Preston.
What do Birmingham need to do to stay in the Championship?
A win over Fulham would mathematically secure Birmingham's place in the Championship next season.
And realistically a point would be enough as only a win for Barnsley at Derby and a ten-goal victory for Burton at Preston would relegate them.
If Birmingham lose to Fulham they will go down if one of the following happens:
- Barnsley win at Derby AND Burton win at Preston.
- Barnsley OR Burton win AND Bolton beat Nottingham Forest with a five-goal swing against the Blues.
Championship table
What do Barnsley need to do to stay in the Championship?
Barnsley will stay up if they win away at Derby.
If Barnsley draw at Derby they will need to hope Burton AND Bolton fail to win against Preston and Nottingham Forest respectively.
And if Barnsley lose they will need Burton to lose at Preston AND Bolton to fail to win against Nottingham Forest.
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What do Burton Albion need to do to stay in the Championship?
Burton Albion must achieve a better result at Preston than Barnsley do at Derby.
If Barnsley win at Derby, the Brewers would still stay up if they win and EITHER Birmingham or Reading lose.
A draw would only keep Burton up if Barnsley lose AND Bolton fail to win, while a loss would see them relegated.
What do Bolton need to do to stay in the Championship?
Bolton must beat Nottingham Forest to stand any chance of survival, and they may need to win well.
If they win they would need one of the following:
- Barnsley fail to win at Derby AND Burton to fail to win at Preston.
- Barnsley OR Burton fail to win and Birmingham lose to Fulham with a five-goal swing towards Bolton.