Championship Permutations

Veteran midfielder Gary Speed netted a brace in a 2-1 victory over Bristol City in the final league game at Bramall Lane this season to keep their chances of making the top six in tacked - they had to come from a goal down after Michael McIndoe (25th minute) slotted home a spot kick after Ugo Ehiogu fouled Dele Adebola in the box.

Four minutes later the Blades levelled when Gary Speed headed home Michael Tonge's corner and in the second half Gary Speed (55) finished off a United penalty following a needless handball by goal scorer McIndoe.

Blades-Mad take a look at next weeks fixtures and give you the scenario's for each team involved  in the challenge for a place in the Play-Offs; Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Sheffield United, Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

United claimed a glorious two-one victory at home to Bristol City and with results all going in favour of the Blades; the Red & White Wizards have been handed an opportunity to land a place in this season Championship Play-Offs.

Sunday 4th May 2008 - KO: 2:00PM

Blackpool vs. Watford

• Watford only need just a win to cement a 5th placed finish.
• Should they draw then the Hornets would need to rely on Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton not claiming a victory in their fixtures.
• However should Watford draw and Wolverhampton win by three clear goals then the Molineux club will stake a top six finish.
• If Watford fail to pick up a point then the Vicarage Road club would need to rely on all teams below them to slip up in order to remain in the play-offs.

Crystal Palace vs. Burnley

• A win for Neil Warnock's Eagles would hand them a Play-Off finish and wouldn't need to rely on any team to fail to win, they could also claim 5th spot if Watford fail to win at Blackpool.
• A point against the Clarets could lift them to 5th with 69 points if the Hornets loose at Bloomfield Road as they have a superior goal difference.
• Though a point against Burnley would mean that the Eagles would rely on Wolverhampton, Ipswich Town and Sheffield United not beating their opponents and scoring enough goals to exceed Palace's +11 goal difference.
• A defeat would mean that the Selhurst Park club would rely on teams below them in the table failing to claim three points in their respective fixtures.

Ipswich Town vs. Hull City

• Ipswich Town face a tough task against Hull City, whom themselves require three points in their bid for automatic promotion. A win for the Blues would mean that they rely on Wolverhampton and Watford not to claim a point, a draw for Wolves would be okay for Town.
• Should that happen then the Portman Road club could effectively finish 5th if Crystal Palace fail to pick up a point against Burnley.
• A draw or a defeat against the Tigers would end any hopes of claiming a play-off spot. Should they fail to win then they could slip down to 10th should Plymouth Argyle win at Molieux.

Southampton vs. Sheffield United

• Southampton themselves need all three points in their battle against relegation and a win for the Saints could plummet Sheffield Wednesday into League One.
• Although that scenario would please Blades fans, they themselves require all three points in there bid for a play-off finish.
• Should United win at the St Mary's Stadium then they could claim 5th spot if Watford and Crystal Palace fail to win or draw, but defeats for (or a draw) Wolverhampton and Ipswich would still hand the S2 club a top six finish.
• However should Watford loose and Palace draw whilst the rest fail to win then the Blades could claim 6th spot.
• A draw would end there season and could fall to 10th if Argyle win at Molineux.
• A defeat would also end any hopes of finishing in the Play-Offs and again, a win in the Midlands for the Pilgrims would mean a 10th placed finish.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Plymouth Argyle

• A win for Mick McCarthy's Wolverhampton Wanderers would give them 70 points - a Watford draw would mean that Wolves must win by three clear goals to claim 5th position, though would claim sixth if Palace draw or beat Burnley.

• Defeats for the current 5th and 6th duo would allow the Gold & Black into 5th if both Burnley and Blackpool claim all three points.

• A draw would probably mean another season in the Championship but could still steal 6th if Burnley win at Selhurst Park by eight clear goals - which is very unlikley.

• A point for Wolves could also land them down to tenth should Ipswich Town or Sheffield United claim at least a point against their opponents.

• A point for Town or the Blades with a Plymouth victory would also mean they drop down to 10th position.