Permutations for the EFL ahead of the final day of the season – 6th May 2023

Time to see those permutations for the EFL ahead of the final day of the regular season and we’re in for quite the finale.

There is still so much that needs confirmation, who will be in the playoffs of the Championship, League One and League Two?

Who wins the title and be relegated in the third tier? And who claims the final automatic promotion place in League Two? This is what you need to know…

Recent confirmed promotions, relegations, titles & qualifications
4 May – Reading relegated to League One
30 April – Manchester City qualify for Champions League
29 April – Wigan relegated to League One
29 April – Plymouth promoted to Championship
29 April – Ipswich promoted to Championship
29 April – Stevenage promoted to League One
29 April – Hartlepool relegated to National League
29 April – Torquay relegated to National League South
29 April – AFC Fylde promoted to National League

Permutations for the EFL ahead of the final day of the season…

CHAMPIONSHIP

Burnley secured automatic promotion on the 7th of April with a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough, and sealed the title on the 25th of April by beating rivals Blackburn 1-0. Sheffield United sealed the second automatic spot by beating West Brom 2-0 on the 26th of April.

Luton Town, Middlesbrough and two other teams will contest the play-offs for the third promotion spot. Coventry, Millwall, Sunderland, West Brom and Blackburn are all in contention for those last two places.

Coventry City will guarantee a playoff spot on the final day on Monday with a draw at Middlesbrough.

Millwall will join them if they beat Blackburn Rovers. But Rovers would stand a chance of reaching the top six if they win at the Den, as do Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion with victories at Preston North End and Sunderland respectively.

Blackpool were the first side to have their relegation to League One confirmed after losing 3-2 to Millwall on the 28th of April. Wigan Athletic joined them the following day after drawing 1-1 at Reading, who were themselves relegated on the 4th of May after Huddersfield’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Birmingham City v Sheffield United
Burnley v Cardiff City
Huddersfield Town v Reading
Luton Town v Hull City
Middlesbrough v Coventry City
Millwall v Blackburn Rovers
Norwich City v Blackpool
Preston North End v Sunderland
Queens Park Rangers v Bristol City
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Watford v Stoke City
Wigan Athletic v Rotherham United

 

LEAGUE ONE

Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town have been promoted with victories against Burton Albion and Exeter City. Argyle will be champions if they win at Port Vale while the Tractor Boys will lift the title at Fleetwood if they better Plymouth’s result.

Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Bolton are guaranteed playoff places.

Derby County will take the last spot with a win at Sheffield Wednesday on the Sunday’s season finale. Peterborough United would ususrp the Rams though if they beat Barnsley and Derby lose, or if Derby draw and Posh win by three or more goals.

Forest Green Rovers became the first EFL side to be relegated from League One. Accrington Stanley, Cambridge United, Morecambe, MK Dons and Oxford could all be relegated on the final day. Accrington’s goal difference means they are all but down, while Oxford’s mean they are all but safe barring a trio of enormously high-scoring matches.

MK Dons will avoid the drop as long as they match (or better) Morecambe, Cambridge United and Accrington’s results and scorelines. Morecambe need to better MK Dons’ result (barring any unlikely goal swings), at least match Cambridge’s result and not see Accrington win and create a 16-goal swing.

Cambridge need to victory and hope Morecambe or MK Dons drop points. A draw for the U’s and defeats for MK Dons and Morecambe could see Cambridge survive, but they would need MK to lose by eight.

Accrington need the other three teams to lose (or Cambridge draw) and need a 16-goal swing.

Barnsley v Peterborough United
Bristol Rovers v Bolton Wanderers
Burton Albion v Milton Keynes Dons
Cambridge United v Forest Green Rovers
Cheltenham Town v Charlton Athletic
Exeter City v Morecambe
Fleetwood Town v Ipswich Town
Lincoln City v Shrewsbury Town
Oxford United v Accrington Stanley
Port Vale v Plymouth Argyle
Portsmouth v Wycombe Wanderers
Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County

 

LEAGUE TWO

Leyton Orient have secured promotion to League One and are champions. Stevenage have been promoted after a 2-0 win against Grimsby Town.

Northampton Town will be promoted if they win at Tranmere Rovers. Stockport County will be promoted if they beat Hartlepool and Northampton drop points.

A point on Monday’s final day is enough for Carlisle United, Salford City and Bradford City to finish in the playoffs. Mansfield Town need one of those three teams to lose and see a swing in goal difference if they are to finish in the top seven.

Rochdale and Hartlepool United have been relegated.

Barrow v Stevenage
Bradford City v Leyton Orient
Colchester United v Mansfield Town
Grimsby Town v AFC Wimbledon
Harrogate Town v Rochdale
Newport County v Crewe Alexandra
Salford City v Gillingham
Stockport County v Hartlepool United
Sutton United v Carlisle United
Swindon Town v Crawley Town
Tranmere Rovers v Northampton Town
Walsall v Doncaster Rovers