Thursday, April 20, 2017

Weekend permutations: Newcastle promoted? Wigan relegated?

Newcastle could secure promotion to the Premier League this weekend
Newcastle could secure promotion to the Premier League this weekend

With less than a month to go in the 2016/17 season, there could be promotion and relegation issues decided this weekend.

Brighton have already secured promotion from the Championship, but who will join them in the Premier League next season? And who will go up from League One along __with Sheffield United?

Here's a look at what's at stake this weekend...

Premier League

With four of the top six not in action this weekend, there's a chance for Liverpool and Manchester United to strengthen their top-four claims.

Both teams are live on Sky Sports on Nissan Super Sunday, __with United travelling to Burnley before Liverpool host Crystal Palace.

Liverpool vs C Palace

April 23, 2017, 4:15pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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At the bottom of the table, Swansea, Hull and Middlesbrough will be looking to boost their survival chances.

Swansea host Stoke, Middlesbrough travel to Bournemouth and Hull are at home to Watford.

Championship

Having sealed promotion on Easter Monday, Brighton can win the title with victory at Norwich on Friday, live on Sky Sports.

Second-placed Newcastle could seal their promotion on Sky Sports on Monday when they host Preston.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton tells his players who he
Brighton manager Chris Hughton tells his players who he'd like to face on the opening day of next season's Premier League

However, for that to happen, Reading and Huddersfield would have to lose on Saturday to Nottingham Forest (a) and Fulham (h) respectively.

Huddersfield can secure their play-off place with a win against Fulham while Reading will also be guaranteed a top-six spot if they beat Forest and Fulham and Leeds both drop points.

Leeds will be looking to move back into the top six when they travel to relegation-threatened Burton, who will ensure their survival if they win and Blackburn lose to Wolves.

Norwich vs Brighton

April 21, 2017, 7:00pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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Harry Redknapp's first game in charge of Birmingham will be a trip to Midlands rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.

A defeat for Birmingham could see them slip into the relegation zone if Forest beat Reading and Blackburn win at Wolves.

Wigan will be relegated if they lose to Cardiff and Forest win. They could also go down with a draw if Forest are victorious and Blackburn avoid defeat.

Newcastle vs Preston

April 24, 2017, 7:30pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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League One

Champions Sheffield United could reach the 100-point mark if they win their final two games against MK Dons and Chesterfield.

Bolton will seal an automatic promotion spot if they beat Port Vale and Fleetwood fail to win at Gillingham.

Fleetwood and Scunthorpe are both already guaranteed a play-off place and Bradford have a six-point gap over seventh-placed Southend, so need just a point against AFC Wimbledon.

Sheffield United
Sheffield United's Billy Sharp says winning the League One title and promotion with his hometown club is the best moment of his career

Millwall, Southend, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers are all in contention for the final play-off spot. Rovers will not be able to make the top six if they lose at Peterborough while Rochdale will also be out of contention if they lose to Oldham and Millwall avoid defeat against Oxford.

Coventry and Chesterfield are relegated and Swindon's fate will be sealed if they lose at home to Scunthorpe and Bury avoid defeat against Northampton. Swindon could also be relegated if they draw and Bury win and Shrewsbury don't lose to Southend.

Port Vale's game in hand means they can still catch several of the teams above them.

League Two

The top three places are already decided, with Doncaster, Plymouth and Portsmouth promoted, and Doncaster can all-but secure the title if they win at Wycombe and Plymouth lose at Colchester.

Having won promotion to League One, Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin believes the club can eventually get back into the Premier League
Having won promotion to League One, Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin believes the club can eventually get back into the Premier League

The race for the play-off places looks set to go down to the wire with six points separating fourth from 13th, and nine points still to play for.

Leyton Orient are already relegated, and neither Hartlepool or Newport can secure their safety this weekend.

Cheltenham, though, will be sure of a place in League Two next season if they win at Blackpool and Newport lose against Accrington Stanley.