It’s the day every football fan circles on their calendar—the final day of the EFL Championship season. With Coventry City already crowned champions, all eyes turn to the race for the second automatic promotion spot and the desperate scrap for playoff positions. This Saturday, 12 games kick off simultaneously at 14:30 GMT, and for many, it’s a 90-minute battle for a future in the Premier League.
Here is the breakdown of the most critical games taking place across the country this afternoon.
Ipswich Town vs. Queens Park Rangers
• The Stakes: Automatic Promotion
• Venue: Portman Road
The equation is simple for Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town: win and they are back in the Premier League. Currently sitting in 2nd place with 82 points, the Tractor Boys hold a narrow one-point lead over Millwall. After a nervy 2-2 draw with Southampton earlier this week, the atmosphere at Portman Road will be electric—and perhaps a little tense.
They face a QPR side with nothing left to play for, sitting comfortably in mid-table. While the Hoops have lost their last three, they would love nothing more than to play the role of party-poopers on the final day.
Millwall vs. Oxford United
• The Stakes: The Promotion Waiting Game
• Venue: The Den
Millwall must win and hope for an Ipswich slip-up. The Lions have been the surprise package of the season and sit just one point behind the automatic spots. If Ipswich draw or lose, a victory for Millwall at The Den would see them leapfrog into 2nd place.
They face Oxford United, whose relegation to League One has already been confirmed. However, Oxford showed they still have pride, thumping Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 last weekend. Millwall will need to stay professional to ensure they at least secure the best possible playoff seeding if automatic promotion eludes them.
Hull City vs. Norwich City
• The Stakes: The Playoff Scramble
• Venue: MKM Stadium
This is arguably the “Game of the Day” for neutral fans. Hull City sit just one place outside the playoffs and effectively need a win to have any chance of breaking into the top six. Their form has dipped at the worst possible time, with no wins in their last five.
Norwich, on the other hand, are in a much stronger position but haven’t quite secured their playoff berth yet. A point would likely be enough for the Canaries, but with Hull fighting for their lives, expect a high-intensity battle in East Yorkshire.
Predictions: The Final Verdict
• Ipswich Town 2 – 0 QPR: The Tractor Boys won’t miss this chance. Expect a dominant performance to seal their return to the top flight.
• Millwall 1 – 0 Oxford United: A gritty win for the Lions, but it might only be enough for a 3rd-place finish.
• Hull City 1 – 1 Norwich City: A tense draw that could see both teams looking over their shoulders at other results.
