EFL: Who's getting promoted to the Premier League?
The race for automatic promotion to the Premier League is shaping up to be a nail-biter.
Last season's relegated teams Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton are all eager to make a swift return to the top flight.
However, Kieran McKenna's Ipswich side currently holds the lead at the top of the table in a tense four-way contest.
As the new year rolled in, Enzo Maresca's Leicester seemed destined to secure promotion straight back to the Premier League. They were sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table, boasting a commanding 13-point lead over Southampton in third place.
However, after Southampton's victory over Preston on Tuesday, the promotion battle has tightened considerably, with four teams now in the mix and only a handful of games left to play.
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What do the fans think?
Jamie, a Leicester City fan, said: "The league has been so unpredictable that making any predictions is foolish. I did think we'd have it won after being so far ahead at the top of the league but a small part of me loves the drama."
Marcus, an Ipswich fan, gave his thoughts: "This has been a fantastic season for us. I would have been happy with finishing in the top 10 this season. However, being so close to automatic promotion with so few games to go means I now want to be in the Premier League next season. Come on Ipswich!"
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Dan Fox, a Southampton fan posted on Twitter after their win over Preston: "That was a big three points and a very professional job done tonight. We had the luxury of making changes to key players. Amazing to think if we win our game in hand over them we are level on points with Leeds, who were out of sight a few weeks ago. "
A big 3 points and a very professional job done tonight. Had the luxury of making changes to rest players.
— Dan Fox (@bfgfox) April 16, 2024
Amazing to think if we win our game in hand over them we are level on points with Leeds (who were out of sight 3 weeks ago).
Frank Daniels, a Leeds United fan, spoke about their recent defeat against Blackburn Rovers: "We created so many chances but didn't have the quality to score an important goal. Even a point would have been a great one because it's so close at the top of the table."
What if the teams at the top of the Championship finish level on points?
Should teams at the top be level on points, position will decided on goal difference, then goals scored, then most points in the head-to-head matches, then goal difference in head-to-head games, before goals scored in those games.
If all of that is level the league will then look at the most number of wins, then goals scored in away games. Nothing would sum this season up more than the promotion race being decided by goals scored.
Previous last-day drama in the Championship
Could the race for promotion and the title go to the last day of the season? Let's explore some previous drama that has occurred on the last day of a season.
In 2013, Hull and Watford were both going for promotion. The final day of the season saw Hull host Cardiff knowing a win would seal promotion to the Premier League. Anything less than a win and the door would be left open for third-placed Watford, who were facing Leeds Unite at Vicarage Road. Watch the video to explore what happened. Footage from MrMojoStew - YouTube
Whatever happens, there's going to be plenty of drama. Stay tuned to European Super Football for some of the best and most interesting stories.
