Going Up Or Going Down Latest

With the penultimate weekend of another Football League season upon us, here’s a check on the latest promotion and relegation issues in the English senior divisions.With the penultimate weekend of another Football League season upon us, here’s a check on the latest promotion and relegation issues in the English senior divisions.

PREMIERSHIP

Champions: If they beat Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday evening, Chelsea will claim the title.

Champions League Qualifiers: Arsenal and Manchester United are battling it out for second place which ensures automatic qualification while Everton, Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers are also competing for third and fourth. Subject to the impending ruling if Liverpool win the Champions League, 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. With three games to go, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City are all on 30 points with Southampton two points in arrears.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Promoted: Sunderland are up and will clinch the title if they win at West Ham United tonight.
With two games to go, Wigan Athletic will join the Black Cats if they win at Preston North End and Ipswich Town fail to win their home game against Crewe Alexandra.

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

Relegated: Nottingham Forest will become the first former European Cup winners to fall into the third level of their domestic league if they lose at Queens Park Rangers.
Forest are also down if they draw and Crewe Alexandra (away to Ipswich) or Brighton & Hove Albion (away at Rotherham United) avoid defeat.
As well as Alex and Albion, Watford, Coventry City, Gillingham, Cardiff City are all still in danger of joining Rotherham in League One next season.

LEAGUE ONE

Promotion: Luton Town are the champions and Hull City are the runners-up.

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

Relegated: Wrexham will join Stockport County and Peterborough United if they fail to win at Stockport.
Even then, the Dragons are down if Torquay United beat Blackpool at Plainmoor and Oldham Athletic avoid defeat at Chesterfield.
Milton Keynes Dons are also down if they lose at Peterborough and Torquay avoid defeat or if the Dons draw and Torquay win.

LEAGUE TWO

Promoted: If Swansea City lose their last game at The Vetch (against Shrewsbury Town), Southend United and Yeovil Town are both up if the draw their game at Roots Hall and Macclesfield Town fail to win at Cheltenham Town - otherwise it’s the winner that’s promoted. Scunthorpe United would also go up if they beat Bristol Rovers at Glanford Park.
If Swansea draw, the winner of the Southend - Yeovil game goes up along with Scunthorpe if they win.
If Swansea win, the winner of the Southend - Yeovil game will have a three-point advantage with one game to play.

Play-Offs: As far down as Rochdale in 10th still have a chance with two games to go.

Relegated: Unless Kidderminster Harriers can challenge their biggest-ever win (25-0 v Hereford in 1889), they will join Cambridge United in the Conference next season. Harriers have to make up a Goal Difference of 21 and Rushden & Diamonds must lose both their remaining games.

CONFERENCE

Champions: Barnet are back in the Football League after a four-year absence

Play-Offs: It’s Carlisle United against Aldershot Town and Hereford United versus Stevenage Borough in the semis.

Relegated: Forest Green Rovers join Farnborough and Leigh RMI unless Northwich Victoria fail a ground regulation inspection.