The final weekend of the Championship season unusually leaves just two issues to be decided with Southampton hoping to hold off West Ham’s bid for second spot as they host Coventry while the Hammers play Hull at Upton Park. With all relegation issues decided, it will be a calmer end to a season than anticipated for Bristol City who travel to Burnley.

The other issue will be decided as Cardiff face Crystal Palace looking to seal their play off place while Middlesbrough need to beat Watford and hope Cardiff lose to sneak into the top six. Whichever of those sides qualifies will be jostling with Blackpool and Birmingham, who host champions Reading, for home advantage in the second leg of the play-offs.

 

BARNSLEY v BRIGHTON 12.30, Oakwell (Saturday)

The Tykes have lost eight in their last 10 and Keith Hill recognises his side are fortunate that their early season form has meant that they are not fighting for their place in the league. They will be determined, however, to not finish the season in the place just above the drop zone, where they currently find themselves.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs after a season of challenging, Gus Poyet will be satisfied withBrighton’s first season back in the Championship. One thing he will be looking to improve is their away form which has seen them win just six on the road this season.

What to watch out for:

Craig Mackail-Smith has not scored the goals to justify his price tag to date – can he give a hint at an improved return next season?

Possible line-ups:

Barnsley – Button, Foster, McNulty, Wiseman, Perkins, Doyle, O’Brien, Dawson, Higginbotham, Davies, Gray

Brighton – Brezovan, Mattock, Dunk, El-Abd, Calderon, Navarro, Bridcutt, Vincente, Buckley, Barnes, Mackail-Smith

Recent form: Barnsley – LLDLLL; Brighton – DLLLDD

Prediction: 1-1

 

BIRMINGHAM v READING 12.30 St.Andrew’s

Birmingham have all but secured their play-off place unless there is a huge turnaround in this game and Middlesbrough’s match and their focus will be on trying to finish in fourth to allow them to play their away leg play-off match first. Chris Hughton’s side have only lost once at home all season.

Reading have the promotion and the title secured but Brian McDermott will not let his side ease off as his squad fights for places in his Premier League plans for next season. Jason Roberts, a catalyst to their run for the title, will miss this game and the start of next season through suspension after being sent off against Crystal Palace.

What to watch out for:

The Blues have the best home defence in the division conceding just 14 goals; can they withstand the champions?

Possible line-ups:

Birmingham – Doyle, Ramage, Caldwell, Davies, Murphy, Burke, Mutch, Redmond, Elliot, Zigic, King

Reading – Federici, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Cummings, McAnuff, Mullins, Leigertwood, Tabb, Hunt, Le Fondre

Recent form: Birmingham– WWDDDD; Reading – WWWWWD

Prediction: 2-2

 

BURNLEY v BRISTOL CITY 12.30, Turf Moor

After a four game unbeaten run, Burnley were thumped 4-0 by Blackpool. Their inconsistency at home, where they have drawn more than they have won, has ultimately cost the Clarets a play-off charge. Eddie Howe will be working on his side being more clinical at Turf Moor next season.

The Robins secured their Championship status with a 2-0 win over Barnsley as Derek McInnes revived his side for the second time this season. A win could see them finish 18^th as they are currently in a seven-match unbeaten run which has seen them safe.

What to watch out for:

While the hosts have only won seven home games this season, the visitors have themselves only come away victorious in five away games.

Possible line-ups:

Burnley – Grant, Tripper, Duff, Edgar, Lafferty, McCann, Marney, Bartley, Wallace, Austin, Ings

Bristol City – Gerken, Fontaine, Amougou, Foster, McGivern, Adomah, Skuse, Woolford, Pearson, Stead, Wood

Recent form: Burnley – LWWDDL; Bristol City – DWWDDW

Prediction: 2-0

 

CRYSTAL PALACE v CARDIFF 12.30, SelhurstPark

Injury ravaged Crystal Palace have won just once in ten matches and lost three players, including highly rated Nathanial Clyne and ‘keeper Julian Speroni to injury last weekend. Dougie Freedman will be wanting the season to end as he looks to move the club forward next season. Thus far, a 2012 to forget for the Eagles.

Cardiff need a win to secure their play-off spot, though their goal difference means that a point could be enough. After suffering a League Cup hangover, the Bluebirds have crawled into the top six after losing just once in 10. A concern for Malky Mackay may be that they have won just three of these, as he looks for momentum going into the play-offs.

What to watch out for:

11 home draws for Palace and 11 away draws for Cardiff this season; will either manager loosen the shackles to get the three points?

Possible line-ups:

Palace – Price, Parr, McCarthy, Moxey, Parsons, O’Keefe, Garvan, Zaha, Ambrose, Scannell, Murray

Cardiff – Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Lawrence, Whittingham, McPhail, Gunnarsson, Mason, Miller

Recent form: Palace – LLLDLD; Cardiff – DWDWWD

Prediction: 0-0

 

DERBY v PETERBOROUGH 12.30, PridePark

Nigel Clough will be looking to end an inconsistent season on a high and try to take advantage of the chance to finish in ninth place. The last six games sums up the Rams’ season with two wins, two draws and two defeats.

The Posh arrested a run of three defeats with a hard fought draw against Watford. While they finish the season having scored the third highest number of home goals, their away record, with 12 defeats, will be of concern to Darren Ferguson as he prepares for life without two key players – Paul Taylor and George Boyd.

What to watch out for:

With the season coming to an end and both managers looking to next term, there could be experimentation in line-ups and shape at Pride Park.

Possible line-ups:

Derby – Fielding, Brayford, Buxton, Shackell, Roberts, Bryson, Hendick, Tyson, S Davies, Ward, Robinson

Peterborough – Jones, Little, Alcock, Brisley, Rowe, Frecklington, Tomlin, Newell, Boyd, Barnett, Taylor

Recent form: Derby – DDWLLW; Peterborough – WDLLLD

Prediction: 2-1

 

DONCASTER v IPSWICH 12.30, Keepmoat Stadium      

Doncaster say good bye to the Championship in front of their own fans hoping to give them something to cheer at the end of a thoroughly disappointing season. Donny have only won four times at home this season and fans can expect much upheaval at the club in the coming months as they prepare for League One.

Ipswich come into the last game of the season without a win in five and with the second worst defence on the road this term, conceding 43 goals. Town suffered a 3-0 home loss to Millwall last time out, a memory Paul Jewell will not want the club going into the summer with.

What to watch out for:

Andy Drury won the Ipswich’s Most Improved Player award this season and the busy midfielder is always one to keep an eye for his movement and work-rate.

Possible line-ups:

Doncaster – Woods, O’Connor, Husband, Friend, Lockwood, Hird, Gillett, Oster, Coppinger, Brown, Robert

Ipswich – Lee-Barrett, Edwards, Delaney, Smith, Cresswell, Emmanuel-Thomas, Leadbitter, Drury, Stevenson, Murphy, Chopra

Recent form: Doncaster – LLLLDW;Ipswich– WDLDDL

Prediction: 1-2

 

LEEDS v LEICESTER 12.30, Elland Road

In an encounter between two sides who will be disappointed about not challenging for the top six, Neil Warnock will be looking for the three points which would see them leapfrog the visitors and into the top half. The Whites have lost 10 games at home this season, more than all but one club and it is their home fortunes that will be the focus of Warnock’s plans for next term.

The Foxes too will be eager to end the season on a high, as the big spenders reflect on a season of missed chances. Their defeat to West Ham on Monday, after taking the lead, was a summary of where their problems are; Nigel Pearson is fortunate to be in a position where funding will be available to address.

What to watch out for:

Robert Snodgrass has had an up and down season as the player Leeds turn to make a difference; the game changer could be lining up for the Whites for the last time with Premier League interest in him.

Possible line-ups:

Leeds – Lonergan, Lees, Bromby, Bruce, Robinson, Clayton, Pugh, Becchio, Thompson, Snodgrass, McCormack

Leicester – Schmeichel, Peltier, Bamba, Morgan, Konchesky, Marshall, Drinkwater, King, Dyer, Beckford, Nugent

Recent form: Leeds – LLLWLD; Leicester – LWWLDL

Prediction: 2-2

 

MILLWALL v BLACKPOOL 12.30, New Den

A storming end to the season continued for Kenny Jackett’s side as they notched up their fifth successive win with a 3-0 thumping of Ipswich. The Lions’ home form has been key to their survival this season with only five sides winning more than them. A blow though for Millwall is that loanee Harry Kane is likely to be playing elsewhere next season.

Blackpool sit fourth and Ian Holloway will be reinforcing the importance of finishing in that position to his players, to secure home advantage in the play-off second leg. The Tangerines will be out for a repeat of two years ago and of the teams in the play-offs, ‘Pool are in the best form.

What to watch out for:

A match between two form teams is always eagerly anticipated and with the football these sides have been playing recently, the New Den crowd can look forward to an entertaining match.

Possible line-ups:

Millwall – Taylor, Craig, Lowry, Smith, Robinson, Henry, Abdou, Wright, Trotter, Kane, Keogh

Blackpool – Gilks, Eardley, Crainey, Evatt, Baptiste, Taylor-Fletcher, Ferguson, Angel, M Phillips, Dobbie, Ince

Recent form: Millwall – DWWWWW; Blackpool – WWDDWW

Prediction: 2-3

 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST v PORTSMOUTH 12.30, City Ground

After guiding Forest to safety following a period of pressure, Steve Cotterill can go into this game against his former side in the knowledge that he cannot be the one to inflict relegation upon them. Since securing survival, the Reds have slipped in form and have lost the last two.

After giving themselves the slimmest glimour of hope with back-to-back wins, Pompey now face up to the reality of League One football, just four years after winning the FA Cup. An uncertain future awaits the South Coast club, with key players likely to leave and more importantly, the club still in administration.

What to watch out for:

Radoslaw Majewski is ending the season in a rich vein of form for Forest and the attacking midfielder will look to continue this form going into next season.

Possible line-ups:

Forest – Camp, Elokobi, Cunningham, Chambers, Gunter, Anderson, Guedioura, Majewski, Reid, McGugan, Tudgay

Portsmouth – Ashdown, Ward, Rekik, Pearce, Rocha, Halford, Allan, Norris, Harris, Kitson, Varney

Recent form: Forest – WLWDLL; Portsmouth – LDLWWL

Prediction: 3-0

 

SOUTHAMPTON v COVENTRY 12.30, St Mary’s

Defeat last time out to Middlesbrough mean that Southampton, a fixture in the top two for the vast majority of the season, go into their game needing a win to ensure they win promotion. A draw will be enough should West Ham win by less than three goals, but that is not a risk Nigel Adkins will be willing to take.

Coventry’s fate was sealed when Bristol City won three points last week, condemning the Sky Blues to League One football next term as they lost a valiant fight for survival. Andy Thorn’s side have battled all season and will be looking to go out with their heads held high.

What to watch out for:

Second from top against second from bottom; the sort of game that can spring a surprise but with Coventry not having anything at stake, Saints will be the side feeling the pressure.

Possible line-ups:

Southampton – Davis, Butterfield, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Guly, Schneiderlin,Cork, Lallana, Lambert, Sharp

Coventry– Murphy, Cameron, Cranie, Clarke, Hussey, Clingan, Norwood, Bigirimana, McSheffrey, McDonald, Platt

Recent form: Southampton – LDWLWL; Coventr y– WDLDLL

Prediction: 3-1

 

WATFORD v MIDDLESBROUGH 12.30,Vicarage Road

Four draws in a row for the Hornets as a satisfying season draws to a close at Vicarage Road. Sean Dyche’s side have confounded the critics and stayed well clear of the relegation scrap despite losing key players. A win here could see Watford end the season in the top half.

Nothing less than a win will do for Middlesbrough, who also need Cardiff to slip up to get into the top six. ‘Boro come into the match on the back of two wins from three including victory over automatic promotion chasing Southampton. Tony Mowbray’s side have picked up over half of their points this season on the road.

What to watch out for:

Attacking midfielder Faris Haroun is in good form for ‘Boro and after some mid-season injuries he is ending the season strongly.

Possible line-ups:

Watford – Kuszczak, Doyley, Nosworthy, Taylor, Dickinson, Buaben, Eustace, Hogg,Murray, Deeney, Iwelumo

Middlesbrough – Steele, Hoyte, McManus, Hines, McMahon, Haroun, Robson, Bailey, Zemmama, McDonald, Jutkiewicz

Recent form: Watford – WLDDDD; Middlesbrough – DLLWDW

Prediction: 1-1

 

WEST HAM v HULL 12.30, Upton Park

Victory over Leicester kept West Ham’s hopes of automatic promotion alive but anything but a victory will mean the Hammers enter the play-off lottery. Sam Allardyce, much maligned for his style this season, would not have envisaged going into the final games with their fate in the hands of others but recent results, including a 6-0 thumping of Brighton, serve as a reminder to all of their quality in this division.

Three wins in four have not been enough to keep Hull in the play-off hunt, as a resent run of five successive defeats haunts Nick Barmby’s side. The rookie manager will have taken a lot of positives from his first season in charge and will no doubt take the opportunity to shape the squad in his fashion in preparation for a sustained push next season.

What to watch out for:

The Southampton result – a win for West Ham would be in vein should Southampton win; even a Saints draw would be enough for them if the Hammers win by fewer than three.

Possible line-ups:

West Ham – Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel, Collinson, Nolan, Noble, Taylor, Lansbury, Vaz Te, Cole

Hull – Mannone, Rosenior,Chester, Cooper, Dawson, Stewart, Koran, Evans, McKenna, Garcia,  Fryatt

Recent form: West Ham – LWDWDW; Hull – LLWDWW

Prediction: 3-1

 

 

Tags: Cardiff City, Championship, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, Sam Allardyce, Southampton, West Ham United