Who will Sunderland play in League One next season? All the permutations ahead of a dramatic final day in the Championship
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But as the 2019/20 season draws to a close, no teams have been mathematically relegated from the second tier – with eight sides still in with a chance of dropping down to League One.
So who will join Sunderland in the third tier next term?
We take a look at all the permutations ahead of a dramatic final day of the season…
HULL CITY
Current position: 24th
Current points: 45
Final day fixture: Cardiff City (A)
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Hide AdHull are all-but doomed to relegation given they are three points adrift of safety and have a considerably worse goal difference than the teams around them.
To have any chance of staying up, Hull will need to beat Cardiff City, Barnsley would have to fail to win and both Luton and Charlton would need to lose - coupled with a 16-goal swing in their favour. It’s unlikely…
BARNSLEY
Current position: 23rd
Current points: 46
Final day fixture: Brentford (A)
Similarly to Hull, Barnsley also need to win to have any chance of staying up. But they too are reliant on results elsewhere - and need Charlton to lose and Luton to fail to win.
LUTON TOWN
Current position: 22nd
Current points: 48
Final day fixture: Blackburn Rovers (H)
Within touching distance of safety, a draw could be enough for Luton providing Charlton Athletic lose - but a win could see them move ahead of Birmingham and Middlesbrough and boost their survival chances.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Current position: 21st
Current points: 48
Final day fixture: Leeds United (A)
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Hide AdA tough final day fixture for the Addicks, but their superior goal difference stands them in good stead in the survival battle.
If they win, they should be safe - while a draw could also be enough provided that Luton do not win.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Current position: 20th
Current points: 50
Final day fixture: Derby County (H)
In all reality, Birmingham are all-but guaranteed to be in the Championship next season - and a point against Derby should be enough.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Current position: 19th
Current points: 50
Final day fixture: Sheffield Wednesday (A)
Similarly to Birmingham, Boro look to have done just enough to survive - and a point at Hillsborough should see them safe.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Current position: 13th
Current points: 58
Final day fixture: Fulham (H)
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Hide AdSo we’ve dealt with the sides currently in the mire at the bottom of the second tier, but off-field issues could see Wigan Athletic dragged into relegation danger.
The Latics will see a 12-point deduction applied after their game with Fulham this evening - although this is all subject to an appeal to be heard on July 31.
So in order to fend off relegation for certain, Wigan need to beat Fulham and hope that Luton Town or Charlton Athletic suffer defeat - any other results would see them drop into the bottom three once a points deduction is applied.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Current position: 16th
Current points: 56
Final day fixture: Middlesbrough (H)
Still with us? Good, because things are about to get even more complicated…
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Hide AdWigan aren’t the only team facing a points deduction - with Sheffield Wednesday also potentially set to see points docked.
But while Wigan’s deduction will be automatically applied following this evening’s fixtures, Wednesday are currently going through an appeal process after being charged with financial misconduct over the £60million sale of Hillsborough.
They could be docked as many as 21 points, but it remains unclear when a decision will be made on how many - if any - points the Owls will be deducted, and whether it will see them fall into the drop zone.