Hello and welcome to the final day of the Championship and there is still everything to play for at both ends of the table.
A draw against all-but-relegated Huddersfield (23rd) will secure Ipswich’s return to the top flight for the first time since 2002.
Ipswich, currently in second place, could become just the fourth team to be promoted consecutively from the third division to the Premier League since 1992 after Watford, Norwich and Southampton.
Manager Kieran McKenna said: “I’ve got belief in them and a lot of belief in what we’ve done, the consistency that we’ve shown, how we prepare for games, how we concentrate throughout games and how we get our identity out there on the pitch gives us a great chance to win games.
“I’ve got a lot of belief but it’s a football match, two teams in the same division, one who were in a lower division the season before.
“Anything can happen, I don’t expect it to be smooth sailing. There’s going to be tension in the game for sure, as there is when you’re fighting for things, but it’ll be about doing enough of the right things to help us keep on top of that.”
Ipswich are three points clear of third-placed Leeds, who host fourth-placed Southampton. However, Leeds have a superior goal difference so if Ipswich lose and Leeds win, it will probably be the Yorkshirmen automatically going up and Ipswich having to negotiate the play-offs.
At the other end, Birmingham City desperately need a victory, and for Plymouth Argyle to lose, to avoid relegation. Birmingham (22nd) currently occupy one of the bottom three spots and host play-off hopefuls Norwich City (5th), while Plymouth (21st) entertain Hull (7th), who also have eyes on the play-offs.
You won’t be able to take your eyes off any of it.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
