Going Up Or Going Down Update

With the season drawing top an exciting close, here’s a check on the latest state of play with the English senior divisions’ promotion and relegation issues.With the season drawing top an exciting close, here’s a check on the latest state of play with the English senior divisions’ promotion and relegation issues.

PREMIERSHIP

Champions: If they beat Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Chelsea will be the champions for the first time in fifty years if Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur at Highbury on Monday

Champions League Qualifiers: Manchester United and Arsenal are vying for second place which ensures automatic qualification while Everton, Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers are also competing for third and fourth. The successful teams go in to the Qualifying rounds.

UEFA Cup Qualifiers: Due to Arsenal and Manchester United reaching the FA Cup Final, definitely fifth, sixth and seventh, plus a possible place through the Fair Play League.

Relegation: It seems like it’s down to one out of four will survive. West Bromwich Albion - with a game in hand over the rest - are a point ahead of Southampton and two ahead of Crystal Palace and Norwich City

CHAMPIONSHIP

Promoted: It’s two out of three with Sunderland three points ahead of Wigan Athletic and five clear of Ipswich Town. All have three to play.

Play-Offs: It looks like one of Ipswich, Wigan or Sunderland plus three out of Preston North End, Reading, Derby County, Sheffield United and West Ham United.

Relegated: Nottingham Forest will join doomed Rotherham United if they lose at home to Burnley on Saturday, and would become the first former European Cup winners to fall into the third level of their domestic league. Watford, Coventry City, Gillingham, Cardiff City, Crewe Alexandra and Brighton & Hove Albion are all in danger.

LEAGUE ONE

Promotion: Luton Town and Hull City have claimed the two places and are now tussling for the title.

Play-Offs: Tranmere plus three others out of Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday, Hartlepool United, AFC Bournemouth and Bristol City.

Relegated: Stockport County are down and will be joined by Peterborough United if the Posh don’t win on Saturday (away at Bournemouth) or either Milton Keynes Dons (home to Bristol City) or Torquay United (away to Oldham Athletic) avoid defeat. Along with the Dons, Wrexham, Torquay United and Oldham Athletic are trying to avoid the other two places.

LEAGUE TWO

Promoted: In a close contest, the top three go up with Southend United, Yeovil Town and Scunthorpe United in position at the moment.

Play-Offs: With three games to go, as far down as Rochdale in tenth place are still hopeful of filling the final fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions.

Relegated: Cambridge United are down if they don’t win on Saturday (Rochdale at home) or Rushden & Diamonds avoid defeat (away at Darlington). Kidderminster Harriers (away at Boston United) are also down if their result is worse than Rushden’s.

CONFERENCE

Champions: Barnet have already booked their place back in the Football League after a four-year absence

Play-Offs: Carlisle United and Hereford United have qualified and, with 90 minutes to play, will be joined by two out of Morecambe, Aldershot, Stevenage Borough, Exeter City and Woking

Relegated: Forest Green Rovers and Farnborough join Leigh RMI unless Northwich Victoria and Gravesend & Northfleet fail ground regulation inspections.

Our photo shows the Chelsea team that won the League Championship in 1955.