There will be no new Championship Talk show this week, unfortunately. It turns out Brian's move is taking longer than anticipated. We are however planning on a new show for Monday, 12 May. Apologies for the delay, and thank you for your patience!

Thank you to Eric Piazzoni (South Bend, Indiana) and the Ipswich Town FC Supporters Club for the following historical breakdown on the required Championship league point totals for potential promotion to the Premiership. Eric's blog is http://ericpz.wordpress.com and his supporters club chapter is http://www.itfcnasc.com.

Points needed for the final (6th table position) playoff berth:

2003-2004: 72
2004-2005: 72
2005-2006: 68
2006-2007: 75

Points needed for automatic promotion (2nd table position):

2003-2004: 80
2004-2005: 86
2005-2006: 82
2006-2007: 85

Please note that we have a new show Facebook page. As with the prior site, it is an individual page (as opposed to a group site), and can be found under "Championship Talk". The prior site was accidentally disabled. Feel free to be our Friend all over again!!

Please send caption suggestions to brian@championshiptalk.com regarding this recent perplexing gesturing from the animated Ian Holloway.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/7144144.stm

Please feel free to submit you caption ideas regarding this inspiring photo linked below of Cardiff's reticent forward Steve Thompson to brian@championshiptalk.com. The winner will receive a "Championship Talk" tee-shirt in January.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7122584.stm

We're proud to announce that Championship Talk and our sister sites have joined Football Media, a network of leading football websites from around the world covering the beautiful game.

Fellow sites within Football Media include Soccerlens, Footy 24/7, Anfield Red, FCB News, The Republik of Mancunia and several other sites.

Some of the goals behind Football Media is to share best practices among soccer bloggers about how to create better sites, generate advertising revenue and to answer technical questions.

The "Championship Talk" show originally scheduled as per usual for Monday, 10 Dec. has been delayed to Wednesday, 12 Dec., due to unexpected technical glitches and scheduling conflicts this week. Apologies for the inconvenience...if signs of withdrawal syndrome are starting to set in, please refer to our 5 suggestions below on how to cope with the pain:

1. Older episode(s) may be fun to listen to...especially for the first time in the case of new listeners. "Gaffer Go Round" and "Glad All Over" are two of our personal favourites.
2. Sleeping pills until Wednesday....some of the over-the-counter stuff these days is not bad.
3. You might get an emailed photo from Georgie if you ask nicely. Brian's on Facebook.
4. There may be subliminal messages if you play the recent shows backwards (or not).
5. Alcohol....Brian recommends Johnnie Walker Black....Georgie enjoys red wine, especially during the "festival" season.

Congratulations to legendary "Championship Talk" listener Karl Krause of Daytona Beach, Florida (and yes Georgie, Houston too!) for making the monumental life decision on which Championship club to support (Sheffield Wednesday). Brian is hoping that Wolves (his suggestion for which club Karl should support) beat Wednesday like a red-headed stepchild on 29 Jan., in light of Karl opting for Georgie's recommendation.

All kidding aside, its great to receive photos from listeners, and we're more than willing to assist with club support selection at no charge (customized for an individual's tastes). Since divorcing is not an option when it comes to English football fandom, it really is a more crucial decision than marriage proposals! Best wishes to Karl and his Owls this season.

As mentioned on our 26 Nov. show, please send us your caption ideas regarding this alluring visual!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/carlisle_united/7109033.stm

To review, here are Georgie's predictions regarding our friendly competition mentioned on today's show (19 November):

--Next Player to be Sent Off: Ricardo Fuller (Stoke)
--Next Manager to be Fined: Neil Warnock (Crystal Palace)
--Next Manager to be Sacked: Dave Jones (Cardiff)
--Next Club to Concede 5 Goals: Blackpool
--Bottom of the Table at Boxing Day: NorWich

Please submit your forecasts to Brian (brian@championshiptalk.com). Those of you with more correct prognostications that the astute Ms. Frost (good luck) will be entered into a drawing. Five winners will be randomly drawn and will receive "Championship Talk" tee-shirts in January. Please email Brian with any questions. Thank you for your interest in the show!

Sheffield Wednesday's academy has formed a partnership with the Kalamazoo Outrage to create new opportunities for young players at both clubs. The Kalamazoo Outrage is a new club founded in 2007 and will compete in the Premier Development League (the fourth tier of men's soccer in the US). The Wednesday academy is also pursuing possible tie-ups with a club in Vancouver, Canada while former Owl Juan Cobain is looking at a similar set up with a club in Argentina.

This sort of partnership will only help North American soccer move forward and I hope there are more of these setups put in place in the near future.

Labels: sheffield wednesday

There were buckets of goals in the Championship this past weekend. Three matches had 3-0 scorelines (Plymouth beat Norwich, Charlton beat Cardiff, Hull beat Preston), West Brom thumped 10-man Coventry 4-0, Sheffield Wednesday lit up Southampton for five goals and Ipswich embarrassed Bristol City by a 6-0 scoreline.

For Coventry, striker Michael Mifsud was sent off after only 10 minutes for a nasty and flagrant elbow on defender Carl Hoefkens, but it took the Baggies until the 56th minute to capitalize on their advantage. Filipe Teixeira ran riot for West Brom with two goals and set up another.

As Brian mentioned on the most recent episode of the Championship Talk podcast, Southampton's defence was shambolic against Sheffield Wednesday. The prime example for me was early into the secound half on Akpo Sodje's first goal when four Southampton defenders could not contain two Wednesday forwards. They all appeared confused and simply stood off Sodje as he fired the ball past Kelvin Davis. That seemed to open the floodgates and Wednesday had the run of the match the rest of the way. Manager George Burley said "To concede in the manner we did was ridiculous. You can't defend like that." The Owls are now unbeaten in four matches and look to be turning their season around.

Promotion favourites, Charlton, sit in third place just two points back of West Brom. Chris Iwelumo was on target again for Charlton and now has 7 goals in 16 appearances this season and has been a very solid signing. The loss for Cardiff pushed them to the edge of the relegation zone. They remain above the drop solely on goal difference and the heat will be turned up on manager Dave Jones. Jones has already been under fire for the team's poor start, been taken to task for missing a reserve game to attend the launch of chairman Peter Ridsdale's book and has been put up "for sale" on eBay, by a disgruntled fan who hoped the club would take the hint and sack Jones.

In a battle of struggling sides, Norwich's extended their run without a victory to 12 matches while Plymouth grabbed their first victory in four attempts.

Ipswich were powered by a Jonathan Walters hat trick as they cruised past Bristol City. They continued their 100 per cent record at Portman Road in the league this season and tore apart an opposition side that many expected to present them with a tough match. Ipswich looked a class apart at times and David Wright's header for the second goal was a thing of beauty.

Here's hoping the goals keep flowing in the next round of matches!

Labels: Bristol City, cardiff city, charlton, coventry, ipswich, norwich, sheffield wednesday, West Brom

Now that hosts Brian Koski and Georgie Frost have been getting into a regular groove with their fantastic Championship Talk Podcast, I want to take a moment to welcome any new readers and listeners.

The goal of Championship Talk is to provide the most remarkable content to supporters who follow the league.

But in order to continue to grow, we need to hear what you're interested in reading and hearing. Please post your comments on this blog or email me directly at thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com (or email georgie[at]championshiptalk[dot]com or brian[at]championshiptalk[dot]com).

If you enjoy Championship Talk, be sure to check out the other sister sites (and podcasts): EPL Talk, La Liga Talk, Serie A Talk, Major League Soccer Talk and Champions League Talk.

Labels: championship talk blog, championship talk podcast

One of the oldest rivalries (dating back to 1902) in the Championship is between Ipswich Town and Norwich City. Both clubs are based out of the East Anglia region, which includes the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The well-known football clubs in the region include Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, Peterborough and Colchester. The derby between Ipswich and Norwich is also sometimes referred to as the Old Farm Derby, a play on the Old Firm Derby that reflects the region's agricultural history.

Both clubs have also had some major news in the past couple of days. Ipswich Town's board has agreed to sell a majority stake in the club to businessman Marcus Evans. The investment will see Evans purchase the Championship club's approximate £32m debt as well as invest a further £12m through the issue of new shares.

Ipswich are currently fourth in the Championship ahead of Sunday's derby with Norwich, who will be lead by new gaffer Glenn Roeder. The former Newcastle United manager takes charge at Norwich City and his first goal will be to get the club out of the relegation zone. Norwich supporters will hope he can improve on a managerial record that can hardly be categorized as a success. Norwich are sitting at the bottom of the Championship four points away from safety and there appear to be problems at both ends of the pitch for Norwich as they have only created 7 goals in 13 games while conceding 18.

Between Ipswich and Norwich, the Tractor Boys have the more successful history having claimed an English championship, an FA Cup and even a UEFA Cup. Ipswich also have the slight edge in the derby matches having won 58, while Norwich have won 51, the remaining 25 being drawn. Their most recent meeting, last season at Carrow Road, ended in a 1-1 draw.

Going into this match, the only thing Norwich can look to as a sign of hope is that they are playing at home and that Ipswich have been pretty dreadful away from home so far. Ipswich are winless in six road matches (3 losses and 3 draws) and have a -8 goal differential. The Tractor Boys will need to use this match as a statement if they are to push for a promotion or playoff spot. They need to prove to themselves and others that they can win tough matches away from the friendly confines of Portman Road.

Labels: colchester united, ipswich, norwich

"Championship Talk" will be back on Monday, 29 October, featuring Alex Rice of "The Beautiful Game" fame, Brian Koski, and more Crystal Palace interviews. Georgie is sadly on holiday in Asia, but will return for the Monday, 5 November episode. Thank you for your continued patience, the show aims for more regular weekly episodes slated for release each Monday throughout November.

Did you know that in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports pays $74 million a season for the TV rights to the Football League, which includes the Championship, the lower leagues and 15 matches per season from the League Cup?

Comparing the Championship to the Premier League, the Championship fee is six per cent of the value of the Prmier League live rights. Last season, 60 Championship matches drew audiences on average a third of the size of Premier League audiences -- so the Championship was getting approximately 350,000-400,000 viewers per match, which is comparable to how many fans in America watch the Premier League on Fox Soccer Channel according to conservative estimates.

The infamous Holiday Inn Southampton supporter, who was ejected from this Norwich match on 18 August for standing, delights the Saints faithful by striking a svelte shirtless pose from his mate's hotel room overlooking Carrow Road.

Bristol City's stay at the top of the table was short lived, as Watford moved into first position with a dramatic come from behind victory over Southampton Sunday at Vicarage Road. Darius Henderson, coming in as a substitute with his playing time diminished due to the Nathan Ellington acquisition, scored on 81 minutes as well as in injury time.

Grzegorz Rasiak and Nathan Dyer scored for Southampton, who remarkably had the opportunity to climb from 19th to 4th in the table if they had held on to a 2-1 advantage. The Saints on Wednesday host Colchester at St. Mary's, while Watford are away to Cardiff on Wednesday.

Bristol City now sit top of the Championship table following a surprise 3-0 result away to Coventry at the Ricoh. Midfielder Michael McIndoe opened his account for the Robins, in addition to contributing to a Coventry own goal. City are top with 11 points after 5 matches, pending Watford's result on Sunday. Despite Coventry's defeat, Sky Blues' gaffer Iain Dowie commented that Coventry were the better side throughout the majority of their match on Saturday.

Stoke and Watford are top of the Championship table following home conquests over Charlton and Sheffield United, respectively. Jon "The Beast" Parkin scored the Saturday Night Football match winner for the Potters (2-1 result), who face Southampton next Saturday. The Saints have arguably had the most disappointing league campaign to date, with supporters' frustrations mounting over Southampton's off-season sell-off of key players to avoid administration.

Wolves recovered from a crushing opening day setback vs. Watford by defeating Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Freddie Eastwood opened his season account for Wolverhampton. Midlands rivals West Brom continued Preston's woes with a 2-0 result. New Boy Ishmeal Miller, on loan from Man City, scored impressively on his Baggies debut.

Best wishes to Ian Holloway, who was sent to hospital Saturday suffering from kidney stones. All indications are that Ollie, who missed Plymouth's draw with Ipswich, will be back to his engaging self in the near future.

Labels: cardiff city, robbie fowler

WEST BROM: Curtis Davies' agent has expressed disappointment in the media at West Brom's lofty valuation of the defender, which has potentially turned Tottenham off from acquiring Davies.

Reports persist that Aston Villa are in for Jason Koumas, attempting to sweeten the deal by offering Gary Cahill and Isaiah Osbourne out on loan to the Baggies.

CARDIFF: The Bluebirds are pursuing Robbie Fowler, who is also being courted by Glasgow Rangers and New England Revolution of MLS. Fowler is appealed by the close proximity of Cardiff and regular playing time, but the offer may be significantly less than that of other clubs.

PRESTON: David Nugent has been asked to report to the Preston camp, as talks prolong with Portsmouth and Sunderland to acquire the international striker.

IPSWICH: Negotiations are ongoing to purchase striker Francis Jeffers from Blackburn. Jeffers was on loan to the Tractor Boys towards the end of last season.

WOLVES: Freddy Eastwood has signed with Wolves from Southend, having chosen Wolverhampton over Charlton due to a greater confidence in Wolves' promotion chances this season.

Derby County sealed their return to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. The win is said to be worth more than £60 million in revenue for the club and should help strengthen their standing.

Steven Pearson scored the game's only goal by converting a Giles Barnes’s low cross. Barnes had just come on minutes earlier to replace Canadian Paul Peschisolido, who despite turning 37 recently still had a strong showing. I hope Peschisolido will stick around for one last crack at Premier League football though he is expected to leave the club at the end of the current season when his contract expires.

Derby rejoin the Premier League after a 5 year absence. They were relegated at the end of the 2001-02 season after six successive seasons of top division football. As it happens so frequently, with relegation came a period of financial instability as the club, which forced them to sell many key players and build a team mostly of home-grown youngsters like Tome Huddlestone (since sold to Tottenham).

I'll be writing a more extensive article on Derby closer to the start of the new season and it will be posted over at EPLTalk.com

I'll also be writing features on this site about the squads that have won promotion to the Championship this year: League One champs Scunthorpe United, runners-up Bristol City and playoff winners Blackpool.

Labels: Blackpool, Bristol City, derby county, Scunthorpe United

Labels: preston north end

Kevin Phillips scored the lone goal to put the Baggies through to the final (4-2 on aggregate). Robert Koren was the architect of the goal with a brilliant cross that Phillips headed home. Jason Koumas was the game's most influential player, creating several chances for himself, including a shot over the bar from 25 yards four minutes after the interval, and his colleagues with several precision crosses.

The final will be held on Monday, May 28th and should prove interesting as the clubs split the two matches between them this season with one win apiece. I'll run the rule over the two sides next week in the buildup to the £60m winner-take-all match.

Labels: West Brom, Wolverhampton

Derby have booked their place in the Championship play-off final after a thrilling semi-final against Southampton. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Southampton mounted a comeback but saw their dreams dashed as they lost in a penalty shoot-out.

A powerful header from Darren Moore put Derby up by two goals on aggregate within three minutes of the kickoff but Jhon Viafara was quick to get the Saints back within a goal. Viafara bagged his second of the night just after half-time after only to hand the lead back to Derby on a horrible own-goal from Leon Best. In the dying seconds Gregor Rasiak scored to take the game into extra-time. There was no breakthrough for either club in added time.

Derby won 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out and it went as follows:

Southampton:
Leon Best - MISSED (wide right)
Andrew Surman - SCORED
Rudi Skacel - SCORED
Grzegorz Rasiak - SCORED
Inigo Idiakez - MISSED (over the bar)

Derby:
David Jones - SCORED
Steve Howard - SCORED
Giles Barnes - SCORED
James McEveley - SCORED

Labels: derby county, southampton

The first leg's are over and I got things half right. Derby turned in a strong away performance to come away from St. Mary's with a 2-1 lead. There should be no huge surprise as Derby's away record was outstanding (12W-3D-8L). There is a highlights package on YouTube but be warned that the sound quality is not the best. Steve Howard scored both goals for Derby, including one from the penalty spot. Compounding the problems for Southampton are injuries to defender Gareth Bale (ankle) and striker Kenwyne Jones (groin), both are likely to miss Tuesday's second leg at Pride Park. Derby are hoping to have Paul Pechisolido and Morten Bisgaard available for the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final. They had hoped to be ready for Saturday but were regain full fitness in time.

West Brom's attack depth saw them through to a 3-2 win in the 1st leg with two goals coming from veteran Kevin Phillips. Wolves were obviously missing goalkeeper Matt Murray who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his shoulder in training prior to the 1st leg. His replacement, 20-year old Wayne Hennessey, looked nervous after conceding and how he responds in the second leg might be a deciding factor.

Labels: derby county, southampton, West Brom, Wolverhampton

The push for the Premiership kicks off, as the first legs of the Championship semi-finals take place this weekend.

On Saturday, 6th place Southampton host 3rd place Derby County. Southampton will be without skipper Claus Lundekvam, who suffered ankle ligament damage in the win over Southend in the final game of the regular season. Pedro Pele will play in Lundekvam's place, while on-loan Polish striker Marek Saganowski is fit after a month out with a groin injury. There is no lack of play-off experience at the club as George Burley is preparing for his seventh play-off campaign at different levels. Burley has only had one success, a win in the finals at the old Wembley back in 2000 with Ipswich.

Derby boss Billy Davies is also experienced with the play-offs, and more so with the Championship play-offs after reaching the final in 2005 and the semi-final stage in 2006 with Preston. Derby have injury worries with Morten Bisgaard (calf) and super-sub Paul Peschisolido (heel) but should otherwise have a strong side to choose from.

Derby held the edge in their two regular season fixtures with a win in August and a draw in February.

The Scout's pick: I like both clubs and both managers. They've built good sides and have been smart with loan signings. However, I have to pick a winner and the way the Saints have been playing in recent weeks gives them the edge. The had to push hard to make the playoffs while Derby was able to take the foot off the gas a little. I think the Saints will come out and try to play flowing football and are certainly capable of scoring plenty of goals.

On Sunday, the 153rd Black Country derby takes place between 5th place West Bromwich Albion and 6th place Wolverhampton Wanderers. There is a long, tense history between the supporters of the two clubs but recent derbies have been trouble free. West Brom currently have the lead in the derby's history with 59 wins to Wolves's 52.

The season series between these two clubs was split with one home win each.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is expecting striker Jay Bothroyd to recover in time for the Championship play-off semi-final first leg with bitter rivals West Brom. Bothroyd, who is the joint top scorer for the club this season with 9 goals, is struggling with a toe injury. For West Brom, Darren Carter is expected to make the squad after the midfielder completed a three-game ban, but Neil Clement will miss out while serving the final game of a four-match suspension.

The Scout's pick: There hasn't been a lot to choose between the two even in terms of recent form. Wolves are a hard-working side but overall I think West Brom has the deeper, more talented side. I am going to pick West Brom to go through to the final. Should West Brom make it to Wembley and beyond it will be the first time since the Premiership began in 1992 that the three teams who were relegated have come straight back up.

Labels: derby county, southampton, West Brom, Wolverhampton

All of the action in the Coca-Cola Championship takes place on Sunday with only the play-off places to be decided. A recent report from Deloitte's Sports Business Group estimates that promotion from the Championship to the Premiership will be worth about £60m. The three promoted teams are guaranteed at least £35m extra revenue and if teams are subsequently relegated they will get "parachute payments" of £20m over the next two seasons.

Derby, who should are in the playoffs for sure, take on the relegated Leeds side. Wolverhampton take on Leicester and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has no serious injury concerns ahead of this must-win clash.

My pick to win this weekend and to win the playoffs, Southampton, won't have it easy despite being matched up against relegated side Southend United. The Saints are hopeful that Polish stikers Grzegorz Rasiak and Marek Saganowski will be healthy. Southampton were also making news this week as they were linked with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the world's 19th richest man, as a potential investor. A source close to Allen told the Daily Mail: "He sees Southampton as a sleeping giant, a family-supported club with traditional values." Southampton have been searching for new investors since Michael Wilde replaced Rupert Lowe as chairman last summer. Wilde resigned earlier this year after failing to attract investment to the club.

West Bromwich Albion face a tough game against Barnsley. Injuries and suspensions have cut into Tony Mowbray's options as on-loan Reading defender Sam Sodje is hampered by a foot problem and striker Diomansy Kamara and defender Neil Clement are suspended. On the positive side for the Baggies, midfielder Darren Carter returns from his recent ban and defender Paul McShane has had his appeal against a red card at Burnley on Monday upheld by the Football Association. McShane would have faced a four-match ban after receiving his second red of the season following a clash of heads with Burnley's James O'Connor.

Currently outside the playoff spots but still in contention are Stoke and Preston North End. Stoke are facing QPR and received bad news this week when winger Liam Lawrence discovered that he had torn his knee tendon while making a challenge during the 3-1 win against Colchester last weekend. QPR will be bolstered by the returns of winger Lee Cook, defender Danny Cullip, striker and leading scorer Dexter Blackstock and midfielder Mark Bircham, who is back in the squad for the first time since January.

Preston face the already promoted Birmingham, who will likely field a strong side as they are still in position to go up as champions of the league. Preston will be without two key players as striker Neil Mellor pulled a hamstring playing for the reserves on Monday and midfielder Paul McKenna with a groin strain. The 29-year-old has been absent since February after hernia surgery but has been struggling with associated problems and suffered a groin injury when he tried to step up training on Monday.

For Birmingham, Fabrice Muamba will miss the match after his red card against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. Damien Johnson is doubtful as he is battling to recover from the hamstring injury which has seen him sidelined for the last three games. In other club news, the Blues have agreed to sell Mikael Forssell to German club Hannover for around £1million. Forssell is keen for a fresh start after being dropped from the Birmingham starting XI earlier this season and being unable to force his way back in after an October knee operation. Birmingham's rival for first place, Sunderland, face the relegated Luton Town.

Other Fixtures:
Burnley v Coventry
Colchester United v Crystal Palace
Hull City v Plymouth Argyle
Ipswich Town v Cardiff City
Sheffield Wednesday v Norwich City

Labels: birmingham city, derby county, Leeds, preston north end, Queens Park Rangers, sunderland, West Brom, Wolverhampton

The news just keeps getting worse for Leeds United Football Club (LUFC). The club has called in administrators and is facing a major financial crisis. LUFC had made a public appeal for would-be investors to contact the club as a last-gasp chance to stave off administration. With a Supporters Trust in place it looked as if the club was going to be spared but that deal has fallen apart for reasons that are currently unknown.

By Football League rules, entering administration means that LUFC are automatically docked 10 league points. The decision to go into administration during the current season will mean that LUFC will be docked 10 points now while the team is still in the Championship, rather than when it started next season in League One.

LUFC has been struggling with its finances in recent years and relegation from the Championship will certainly eat into earnings for the coming year. The club had already sold its Elland Road home ground and its Thorp Arch training ground to cover previous cash shortfalls. The fact that contracts for a number of high-price players run out this summer also means that the club will run short of valuable assets later this year. Entering administration gives the club a chance to restructure and clear off debts. LUFC would then be a more attractive investment and takeover target because any new owner would not have to take on its entire debt burden.

Labels: Leeds

I keep using the word "unbelievable" to describe so many of the events this past weekend in football whether it was Man United's comeback win against Everton, or the unbelievable (in a disgusting sense) developments at Elland Road.

To relive the moments that happened to Leeds after the debacle of the pitch invasion and the chaos with the teams coming back on the pitch 30 minutes later plus all of the stories (players getting out of the shower to be told they had to go back on the pitch and play), listen to the following audio from BBC Radio Humberside (and BBC Leeds).

How stupid was the referee to resume the game after the pitch invasion? As former Leeds legend Eddie Gray said in the commentary when Leeds came back on the pitch, "rubbish."

Thanks to Tokyo Toffeeman for the link.

Labels: ipswich, Leeds

Here's video footage of the relegation battle from the Championship including the demise of Leeds and Southend along with the already-relegated Luton Town (who were top of the table near the beginning of the season).

Labels: barnsley, ipswich, Leeds, leicester, Luton, Southend United

Leeds have been essentially relegated to League One football next season, following a 1-1 home draw with Ipswich on Saturday, combined with Hull winning away at Cardiff 1-0. Although Leeds can still finish even with Hull on points, Hull are ahead of Leeds by 9 in goal differential. The Leeds-Ipswich match was tainted by a chaotic Elland Road pitch invasion (following Alan Lee's 88th minute equalizer for the Tractor Boys), which delayed the match by 30 minutes.

At the top of the table, Birmingham moved back into first with a massive 2-0 result over Sheffield Wednesday at St. Andrews, which eliminated the Owls from playoff contention. In light of Sunderland's 3-2 win on Friday v. Burnley, the pressure is now firmly on Derby ahead of their Sunday fixture with Crystal Palace in London. A Derby draw or loss against Palace would virtually secure top flight football next season for both Birmingham and Sunderland.

In addition to Sheffield Wednesday, Colchester United's hopes of qualifying for the playoffs realistically ended Saturday with a 3-1 loss at Stoke (due to an inferior goal differential to Stoke and Southampton). That leaves five clubs competing for the final three playoff positions going into the final round of fixtures (West Brom, Wolves, Southampton, Stoke, and Preston).