Promotion Premonitions

Sheffield United basically know what they have to do, a win at Crystal Palace is a minimum if they are to win automatic promotion but Birmingham City must not pick up three points in there finale at Reading - this would have United a place in next seasons Premier League.

The Blades are in a better position in a race for promotion than they were last season; for those with good memories United needed to win at Southampton with several results going in the Blades favour; the Saints, who needed a win to stay in the Championship won 3-2 on the day and retained there Championship status at the expense of Leicester City who have now bounced back and are once again in second tier of English football after winning promotion from League One.

This Sunday, at 1:15pm Sheffield United travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace whilst at the Madejski Stadium Reading entertain Birmingham City, these two fixtures will decide who joins Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2009/10 Premiership campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (v Doncaster Rovers) at Molineux

• Mick McCarthy's Wolves are promoted to the Premiership after their win at home to Queens Park Rangers two weeks ago, last week they won the League with a 1-1 draw at Barnsley and and result for them will not effect any of the teams still chasing automatic promotion.

Birmingham City (v Reading) at Madejski Stadium

• Birmingham City are surely in the driving seat to take the last automatic place, a win will be more than enough and wouldn't require to rely on the result at Selhurst Park.
• However a draw may not be enough, if the Royals and the Blues were to contest a level result then City would need to rely on Crystal Palace overturning the Blades at Selhurst Park.
• A point at Palace would also be good enough for Birmingham if they were too to draw with their opponents.
• A defeat to Reading would end any hopes of returning to the top flight at the first time of asking via second spot, as Reading are three points behind they too could effectively take second spot whilst the St Andrews club would have to battle it out in the play-offs.
• The Blues are guaranteed a place in the play-offs if they have to go through this route.

Sheffield United (v Crystal Palace) at Selhurst Park

• Sheffield United know that a win in the capital is the only way that they can be promoted automatically, however despite three points they would need Reading to claim a win at home to Birmingham City.
• A win for United and a draw at the Madejski Stadium would also be enough to secure promotion.
• A draw at Selhurst Park won't be enough either, as any result in event of a draw wouldn't work in United's favour and would have to battle it out in the play-offs.
• The Eagles claiming all three points would also be no good for the visitors and Kevin Blackwell's Blades would have try contest the play-offs.
• The Blades are guaranteed a place in the play-offs if they have to go through this route.

Reading (v Birmingham City) at Madejski Stadium

• Reading need to win at home against Birmingham City to stand any chance of automatic promotion; a win would put them level on points with their rivals and as they have a superior goal difference would nab second spot, providing the Blades don't win at Palace.
• A draw would be no good for Steve Coppell's team and a point gained would mean they will have to contest the play-offs.
• A defeat would defiantly mean that they would need to rely on play-offs in order to win promotion at first attempt.
• The Royals are guaranteed a place in the play-offs if they have to go through this route.