Good Morning. It's Thursday 21st May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Project Restart edges closer
It is looking increasingly likely that the Championship season will recommence in less than a month. A provisional date has been set for the 20th June. We should also hear in the next 24 hours that Championship clubs can resume training on Monday. We also await news via Government sources whether the remaining fixtures will be played at neutral grounds or not, though a decision on this is not expected until next week.
Leeds have a seven point cushion at the top of the table over third place Fulham, with a possible 27 points still to play for. The final play off spot is currently occupied by Preston on 56 points, but with 9 games to go 11th place Swansea City are only three points behind. Theoretically, 15th place Sheffield Wednesday could make up the eight point difference, and join the top six. Perhaps Derby and Sheffield Wednesday will receive their punishment from the EFL for financial fair play misdemeanors. A 12 point deduction for either club would leave hem both in severe relegation territory!
At the foot of the table 17th placed Stoke City are only three points from the drop zone. Before football was suspended, Leeds were the in form side in the Championship with 5 wins and a draw. Hull had the worst form with five loses and a draw, followed by the Wendies, Bristol City and Boro. Surprisingly, Wigan were third (3 x W 3 x D), Luton 5th (3 x W, 2 x D 1 x L) and Barnsley 7th (3 x W, 3 x L). West Brom were the fourth best in form team, Fulham 8th and Brentford 15th.
Leeds have a tricky tie against Cardiff on the first game back. Third place Fulham play fourth place Brentford. A win for the Bees would leave them a point behind the Cottagers. Some may say that Bentford are more dangerous than Fulham. Who would you want to win that one? At the other end of the table a win for Charlton against Hull would see Lee Bowyer's team change places with the Tigers.
Game 1
Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City
Cardiff City v Leeds United
Fulham v Brentford
Huddersfield Town v Wigan Athletic
Hull City v Charlton Athletic
Luton Town v Preston North End
Middlesbrough v Swansea City
Millwall v Derby County
Queens Park Rangers v Barnsley
Reading v Stoke City
Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest
West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City
There's a double six pointer at the top of the Championship in game Two. Leeds entertain Fulham whilst whilst Brentford play West Brom
Game 2
Barnsley v Millwall
Brentford v West Bromwich Albion
Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
Charlton Athletic v Queens Park Rangers
Derby County v Reading
Preston North End v Cardiff City
Birmingham City v Hull City
Leeds United v Fulham
Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town
Stoke City v Middlesbrough
Swansea City v Luton Town
Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
During the third round of games, top of the table Leeds play 23rd place Luton Town. Get your popcorn ready for Hull v Boro, surely a six pointer at the foot of the table.
Game 3
Barnsley v Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City v Huddersfield Town
Cardiff City v Charlton Athletic
Hull City v Middlesbrough
Leeds United v Luton Town
Millwall v Swansea City
Nottingham Forest v Bristol City
Preston North End v Derby County
Queens Park Rangers v Fulham
Reading v Brentford
Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion
Wigan Athletic v Stoke City
At the half way point, Leeds travel to Blackburn (never an easy tie) whilst second placed West Brom face relegation threatened Hull.
Game 4
Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United
Brentford v Wigan Athletic
Bristol City v Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic v Millwall
Derby County v Nottingham Forest
Fulham v Birmingham City
Huddersfield Town v Preston North End
Luton Town v Reading
Middlesbrough v Queens Park Rangers
Stoke City v Barnsley
Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City
With four games to go, Leeds face Stoke City. Although in 17th place, Stoke are only three points from the drop zone. They will be desperate to get something out of the game. At the foot of the table Barnsley play Luton Town. Forest entertain Fulham whilst Brentford have a tricky tie against Charlton.
Game 5
Birmingham City v Swansea City
Brentford v Charlton Athletic
Bristol City v Hull City
Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers
Leeds United v Stoke City
Luton Town v Barnsley
Millwall v Middlesbrough
Nottingham Forest v Fulham
Reading v Huddersfield Town
Sheffield Wednesday v Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
Wigan Athletic v Queens Park Rangers
Leeds play Swansea City in game Six of the season. There is no reason why, if the Swans went on run why they wouldn't be around the play offs, so all to play for. Huddersfield v Luton and Preston v Forest look interesting fixtures!
Game 6
Barnsley v Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion
Charlton Athletic v Reading
Derby County v Brentford
Fulham v Cardiff City
Huddersfield Town v Luton Town
Hull City v Millwall
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
Preston North End v Nottingham Forest
Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday
Stoke City v Birmingham City
Swansea City v Leeds United
With two games to go, top play bottom (assuming and hoping Leeds are still top at this point), West Brom face Fulham (Come on you Baggies) and Brentford face off against Preston.
Game 7
Birmingham City v Charlton Athletic
Brentford v Preston North End
Bristol City v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Derby County
Leeds United v Barnsley
Luton Town v Queens Park Rangers
Millwall v Blackburn Rovers
Nottingham Forest v Swansea City
Reading v Middlesbrough
Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town
West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
Wigan Athletic v Hull City
Leeds will hope to for a Ram raid on the penultimate game of the season. At the bottom Hull play Luton.
Game 8
Barnsley v Nottingham Forest
Blackburn Rovers v Reading
Charlton Athletic v Wigan Athletic
Derby County v Leeds United
Fulham v Sheffield Wednesday
Huddersfield Town v West Bromwich Albion
Hull City v Luton Town
Middlesbrough v Cardiff City
Preston North End v Birmingham City
Queens Park Rangers v Millwall
Stoke City v Brentford
Swansea City v Bristol City
The roller coaster season comes to an end against Lee Bowyer's Charlton Athletic. Imagine if both promotion and relegation rested on this result!!!! Similarly Brentford face Barnsley whilst Wigan entertain Fulham!
Game 9
Birmingham City v Derby County
Brentford v Barnsley
Bristol City v Preston North End
Cardiff City v Hull City
Leeds United v Charlton Athletic
Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers
Millwall v Huddersfield Town
Nottingham Forest v Stoke City
Reading v Swansea City
Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough
West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers
Wigan Athletic v Fulham
