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Wednesday 12 Apr 2006
PLAY OFF RACECOULD BE OVER, BUT WHO WILL GO UP?
UNFAIR YES, BUT THE PLAY-OFFS KEEP THESEASON ALIVE

Ipswich Town Football Club, third in the Championship in the 2004/2005 season, lost in the play-offs to West Ham United 4-2 on aggregate. Approximately 365 days later, and Town sit 13th in the Championship table acfter a 4-1 mauling by Stoke.

Now, with Reading clear at the summit, the top six have arguably been decided. Wolves draw against Coventry has left a 10 point gap between themselves and sixth place Preston. A win for Preston this weekend will see them assured of a spot, likewise Crystal Palace.

So we can assume that the other five teams in the top six will be Sheffield United, Watford, Leeds, Palace and Preston. For arguments sake, lets say that the sides wil finsish where they currently are, which will see an all London affair as Watford face Palce, and Leeds compete with Preston in the second semi.

This is the closest Watford have come to the Premeirship in years. they have strugg;ed recently, and it would be nice to see them up there next season. Preston have been missing from the top flight even longer, but were always promotion contenders.

On from Watford and Leeds should qualify for the final, but the league table does not represent who will win the thrid promotion place - just ask Ipswich fans. It's a clean slate, so it's worth noting how each team did against one another over the season 'proper'.

Watford 1-3 Crystal Palace; Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford
Watford 1-2 Preston; Preston 1-1 Watford
Watford 0-0 Leeds; Leeds 2-1 Watford

Leeds 0-1 Crystal Palace; Crystal Palace 1-2 Leeds
Leeds 0-0 Preston; Preston v Leeds - yet to be played

Preston 1-1 Crystal Palace; Crystal Palace 1-2 Preston

On that basis, Preston (currently fifth) are best equipped to be the thrid promoted team, gtey ahve the best record against the other three currently in the top six. It's agaisnt some of the lower teams where they've slipped up.

All this is assuming that Sheffield United will go up with Reading. That is not assured, Neil Warnock's team is famous for bottling it in the final stages. A victory thsi Saturday, however, should all but assure them Premier football next year. I reckon they should get it.
 Source of info is: Discussed down the pub
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 Email to a friend 		Rated 5
Posted by ndbartlett,Wednesday 12 Apr 2006
Number of views: 83
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Posted By : thewiseone Ratings :Rated 5
Comments : Given that Watford don't look likely, and Palace seem to have the upper hand + they have been there before..... Preston probably still hurt from the last one..
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