It's D-Day as Portsmouth learn their League One rivals for next promotion bid

The Championship campaign is to be settled through this evening’s final round of matches, all kicking off at 7.30pm.

There will be three from Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Wigan, Luton, Barnsley and Hull to drop into the Blues’ league.

Although, in the case of Wigan, the situation is slightly more complicated, with Paul Cook’s side still to be hit with a 12-point deduction for entering administration.

As it stands, the Latics are positioned in 13th, 12 points above the relegation zone following a remarkable surge since emerging from lockdown.

Their punishment, which is still to be applied, has been appealed and the club are awaiting the outcome.

In the meantime, they can assure Championship safety if they beat Fulham and either Luton or Hull fail to collect three points.

That outcome would keep them up – even after any forthcoming 12-point deduction.

Elsewhere, Hull and Barnsley need to win to have any chance of staying up, although even that may not be enough.

Bottom club Hull are three points adrift from safety, with the second-worst goal difference of the bottom four.

They travel to Cardiff, who will qualify for the play-offs if they avoid defeat. The Bluebirds have Buckland’s Marlon Pack as a regular in their side.

As for Barnsley, with Conor Chaplin in their ranks, they travel to a Brentford team who can still win promotion to the Premier League.

Charlton and Luton are bidding to avoid an instant return to League One following promotion last season and are level on 48 points.

Charlton head to title-winning Leeds, while Luton, who have ex-Blues players Sonny Bradley and Martin Cranie on their books and Paul Hart as assistant manager, host Blackburn.

Both can still overtake Birmingham and Middlesbrough on the final day, ensuring six clubs remain in the mix.

Meanwhile, West Brom will be promoted to the Premier League if they beat QPR and Brentford fail to defeat Barnsley.

Alternatively, the Baggies can lose and go up – providing Brentford lose and Fulham do not win.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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