Why next weekend’s remarkable Championship climax is most intense ever

Even if you don’t follow the Championship, the results from this weekend have set up a nail biting finish that you simply don’t want to miss.

Victories for Burton and Barnsley ensured that as many as five different sides could still join relegated Sunderland heading into the final game of the season, but it’s the matches that each face that promise to make this coming weekend one that will live long in the memory.

It’s Reading that are in the strongest position of said five sides as things stand, but the Royals will need to get a result away at Cardiff to ensure that they aren’t relying on slips elsewhere. That’s a Cardiff side that must win to guarantee their return to the Premier League ahead of Fulham, with just a point separating the two promotion hopefuls.

The Cottagers, meanwhile, travel to face a Birmingham side that are below Reading on goal difference alone, so once again, both teams are in desperate need of a victory on the final day.

Barnsley, now one place above the relegation zone on goal difference, travel to face Derby, who must pick up at least a point to secure the final play-off spot, while Burton - the side in the bottom three due to their inferior goal difference - are away at Preston, who are the side within two points of Derby.

It’s only Bolton that face an opponent that have nothing but pride to play for (Nottingham Forest), but it’s Phil Parkinson’s side that are in the worst position of the five as things stand. One point adrift of safety but with a significantly worse goal difference than Barnsley, the Trotters really need to win to keep their hopes of another season in the second tier alive.

With every game kicking-off at 12:30, be sure to make a date with the Championship next Sunday afternoon!