Coventry City and Preston North End could be involved in one of the most bizarre Championship final day permutations
Coventry City take on Middlesbrough in search of a play-off place this weekend, while sides like Preston North End could do them both a favour away to Bristol City.
It was another crazy weekend in the Championship, with results at the top and bottom of the table impacting the relegation and play-off picture ahead of the final day of the season this Saturday.
Coventry were beaten 1-0 away to Luton Town in a game which left Cov fans fuming at the referee, while their boss, Frank Lampard, was also fuming at ‘substandard’ officiating. It overshadowed the game for much of it, with the red card for Jay Dasilva coming early on to ruin the clash.
Preston were then beaten later on that afternoon by Plymouth Argyle, which saw them suffer their fourth defeat in a row to leave them perilously close to the relegation zone. Paul Heckingbottom rightly feels frustrated and gave a damning verdict on the situation after the game.
- READ MORE: Preston North End praised by Championship fans for what they are doing for Plymouth Argyle game
Incredible permutation arises involving Preston and Coventry
With three points separating 5th-placed Bristol City and Middlesbrough down in 9th, the fight for the final two play-off spots looks set to go down to the wire.
At the other end, 18th-placed Stoke City are in danger of going down, with Plymouth all but relegated due to their goal difference in 23rd. All of the sides from Hull City in 22nd through to Stoke can be relegated on final day.
It could be complacency which costs Preston, who have not been below 18th since matchday 17. They have occupied 14th-18th for almost the whole season up to this point, spending just 13 matchdays below that part of the table.
The draw specialists are only matched by West Brom for the number of draws this term, but only Cardiff City have won fewer times than the Lilywhites due to that. At the same time, no team below 10th has lost as little as Preston have, with 16 defeats so far.
By that same token, the likes of Middlesbrough, Blackburn, and Coventry City are all eyeing a place in the play-offs and then the Premier League, and each of them have lost more than Preston with at least 17 defeats.
Should results go the right way, Preston could therefore be relegated with fewer defeats than Coventry. Should both teams draw, and other results go Coventry’s way while also going against Preston, then there is a world where Cov qualify for the play-offs and go all the way to Wembley.
A draw away at Bristol City and wins for Luton and Hull would relegate Preston with 20 draws and 16 defeats. It is not likely to occur, but the possibility of it alone illustrates the unpredictable nature of the Championship.
- READ MORE: Bristol City and Hull could fall foul of brutal EFL rule as Championship play-off and relegation race heats up
Championship play-offs key dates
The Championship play-off final is not to be played until Saturday 24th May, but there is plenty to be decided before then other than Sheffield United finishing third and Sunderland finishing fourth.
Navigate two huge games and they then have a chance at winning the so-called ‘richest game in football’, with millions expected to tune in for the EFL’s main event of the year.
It is famously worth nearly £200 million to the side that claims victory, and the EFL play-off race never fails to deliver the drama and entertainment befitting what is on the line.
