* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
The main event of The Championship’s final weekend sees Derby hosting Sheffield Wednesday in a do-or-die relegation six pointer on the telly this Saturday. We’ve covered that game here, but let’s look at the other matches with something riding on them in the second tier’s final weekend of the 2020/21 season.
The other massive game is 22nd-placed Rotherham’s trip to face Cardiff which could relegate both Derby and Wednesday if they win and County fail to get the three points. If Rotherham don’t claim victory they are down, it’s just a case of who comes out on top in that other game.
Elsewhere it’s an unusually quiet end of the season in The Championship but we’ll take a look at how the land lies in the playoffs to bring you a tasty treble.
Cardiff v Rotherham – Cardiff to Win
With the Derby v Sheffield Wednesday game covered, there is nowhere else to start other than the Cardiff City Stadium. The Bluebirds host Rotherham in a game that could have a seismic impact at the foot of the table. Cardiff are 8th while The Millers are 22nd and know that nothing other than three points will see them relegated before 3pm on Saturday. Even then it might not be enough.
But it’s hard to muster any enthusiasm for them getting out of this predicament as their last win came eight games back. They had four games in hand over those around them at one stage but have squandered all of them and still need a win on the final day to have any hope.
Cardiff, on the other hand, have started picking up after their playoff dreams finally slipped away. They’re unbeaten in five, drawing three and winning their last two.
With all this in mind, despite Rotherham’s desperate need for the three points, we have to be on the Cardiff Win in here. Their odds have been boosted by The Millers’ situation but, frankly, it would be a surprise if the away side won this one and they’ve done nothing to suggest that they will.
Bournemouth v Stoke – Bournemouth to Win
The only other matter to be resolved of any serious importance is who finishes 4th and gets home advantage in the second leg of the playoffs. The top six are all secure with either a promotion or a playoff berth in the bag, but Bournemouth can still go up a place or fall down one.
The Cherries are in 5th and will want a win to avoid 3rd-placed Brentford in the semi-finals at least. Barnsley are level on points with Bournemouth but sit below them in 6th courtesy of a vastly inferior goal difference.
If Bournemouth beat Stoke they will definitely face Swansea, it’s whether they can overhaul their playoff rivals which is the question that remains for them. Bournemouth had been electric but have lost their last two and will be looking to bounce back with a win on Saturday to head into the playoffs with some confidence.
Stoke are 14th in the league and are without a win in their last six, drawing two and losing the other four. While The Cherries might have an eye on the playoffs already I think they’ll come out firing and secure a Bournemouth Win here.
Watford v Swansea – Watford to Win
Swansea have a tricky task if they want to wrap up 4th place as they face Watford on the final day. The Hornets are heading back to The Premier League but they did lose last time out to the in-form Brentford.
Swansea had gone three games without a win before beating Derby 2-1 last Saturday to help us fire in a 12/1 double. However, you would have hoped a team aiming to get back into the Premier League might have made lighter work of Wayne Rooney’s Rams.
It’s a completely different challenge here and I expect Swansea, who have gone off the boil recently, to struggle against the second tier’s second-best team. Steve Cooper’s crew have only won three of their last 10 games as they limp into the playoffs.
Watford will be looking to enjoy themselves before signing off the season and the mood in the two opposing camps probably couldn’t be more different. The Hornets are a tough team to stop and I expect them to have too much for Swansea with a Watford Win to round off our Championship Saturday treble.
Saturday Championship tips
Cardiff v Rotherham – Cardiff to Win
Bournemouth v Stoke – Bournemouth to Win
Watford v Swansea – Watford to Win
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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