Barnsley have become a cropper a late, drawing there last seven out of nine fixtures (all 1-1) and despite leading the game conceded in the dying moments at what is a crucial time.
Meanwhile Charlton Athletic were relegated two weeks ago, and Southampton after learning about their points deduction either this season ort next conceded defeat despite a 2-2 draw with Burnley last week; Leicester City and Peterborough United have come the other way.
Last season Southampton made a dramatic effort to avoid the drop from the Championship on Survival Sunday a year ago, ironically they beat Sheffield United 3-2 at St Mary's Stadium despite Stephen Quinn and Jonathan stead getting on the score sheet - a defeat for Leicester City at Stoke City kept the Saints up for one more season whilst the Foxes were doomed to League One.
As already mentioned the Foxes, managed by Nigel Pearson who drifted the Saints to safety last season have now replaced Southampton for next seasons Championship campaign.
| Current Championship League Table... | |||||||
| # | Team: | P: | W: | D | L: | GD: | PTS: |
| 21 | Barnsley | 45 | 12 | 10 | 23 | -14 | 49 |
| 22 | Norwich | 45 | 12 | 10 | 23 | -11 | 46 |
| 23 | Southampton | 45 | 10 | 15 | 20 | -21 | 45 |
| 24 | Charlton | 45 | 7 | 15 | 23 | -24 | 36 |
Charlton Athletic (v Norwich City) at The Valley
- Charlton Athletic are already relegated after a poor season, however after picking up decent results of late they may well drag the Canaries down with them by either claiming a win or a draw.
Southampton (v Nottingham Forest) at City Ground
- Southampton too are already relegated and as a result on financial difficulties will start with minus ten points in next seasons Coca-Cola League One.
- No matter what result happens between Forest and the Saints it makes no difference to the teams battling to avoid the drop.
Norwich City (v Charlton Athletic) at The Valley
- A win for the Canaries against an Athletic side who have picked up ten points in their last six outings could retain their place in the Championship of the 2009/10 season at the expense of Barnsley; however the Tykes would have to lose at Plymouth Argyle in order for Bryan Gunn's Carrow Road side to stay up.
- Although they would be level on points the Norfolk club have a better goal difference and a win for them and defeat for the Oakwell club would keep City up by this system.
- A draw for both sides in the Capital City would be pointless for City and would be relegated regardless what happens on the South Coast.
- Defeat at the Valley would also constitute in City's demise from the second tier of English football.
Barnsley (v Plymouth Argyle) at Home Park
- Mathematics is quite simple for Barnsley, a win for the South Yorkshire club would secure Championship football for at least another year.
- A draw would also be enough for the Tykes and could escape the drop by one point.
- Plymouth Argyle winning the game may not be all that disastrous for Simon Davey's men either; should they lose at Home Park and Norwich (draw no good either) fail to win then Barnsley stay up.
- However if Norwich did record a victory and Barnsley slumped to their 24th defeat of the season then they would be withdrawn to League One by matter of goal difference.