Really only one space open at either end, but a very interesting last two weeks in the second division. Brighton and Newcastle through, Rotherham done and Wigan all but relegated (sorry
@swiftaw ); three teams at the bottom and four teams up top all heavily involved in the last two weeks.
At the bottom we're looking at:
20. Forest- 48 points, -11GD, @QPR (19), Ipswich (16)
21. Birmingham- 47 points, -22GD(!), Huddersfield (3),
@Bristol City (17)
-----------------
22. Blackburn- 45 points, -15GD, Aston Villa (12), @Brentford (9)
I think Forest is safe...they've been playing okay under Mark Warburton, and their run in features a struggling QPR side and a mediocre Ipswich side (who have been playing better). Brum has been very poor, but brought in 'Arry to keep them afloat. Huddersfield is a toss up b/c they just clinched playoffs and may rest people, but City has been on good form at home and not a bad side. Blackburn probably have tougher games, but Brum has been bad recently. In the end I don't see Blackburn getting the 2-3 points they need. If they >1 point though, that GD is suddenly in play.
At the other end, with Huddersfield clinching a top six spot, we're currently looking at
3. Huddersfield- 81 points, +3GD @Brum (21), Cardiff (13)
4. Reading- 79 points, +1GD, Wigan (23), @Burton (18)
5. Wednesday- 78 points, +15GD,
@ipswich (16), Fulham (6)
6. Fulham- 76 points, +27GD, Brentford (9), @Wednesday (5)
------------------
7. Leeds- 73 points, +14GD, Norwich (8), @Wigan (23)
I'm a little too invested to make good sense of this, but Wednesday and Fulham are the form teams, while the other 3 most certainly are not. Huddersfield is in, Reading is all but assured. Wednesday and Fulham play last game of the season, which gives Leeds hope. Apparently Wednesday have never beaten a Mick McCarthy team (?!?!), but this has been a good run for breaking hoodoo (beat Warnock's Cardiff, beat Derby for first time in 17(!!)). Wednesday have 5 wins in a row, and I think they and Fulham (4 wins on the bounce) win on saturday to make it all but impossible for Leeds.
I just want to get into the playoffs because I think Wednesday have a great shot to win it. Don't want to think about it until it's clinched though- can see totally a Fulham win + a Leeds win + a Wednesday loss = squeaky bum time for old Dummy Hoy.
Any thoughts from
@CSteinhardt @thehitcat @Stanley Steamer ?
Incidentally, congrats to
@Warning Track Speed , who I had forgotten was a Brighton fan.