English Championship

Play-off for third promotion spot

The most exciting season of Coca Cola Championship is finished and now there are 5 play-off games left, for one place in Premier League. West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City are 2 new members of England`s elite football, and new members of 3rd league, better known as League One, are Colchester United, Scunthorpe United and Leicester City.

West Brom and Stoke in elite

WBA have ensured their place in elite in previous round, after 2 years of absence and they won 2:0 over QPR in London, playing off pressure. Stoke City were in an uneventful goalless tie at home Britannia stadium against Leicester, enough for their final 2nd place, since Hull were defeated in Ipswich (0:1). Potters have, thus rejoined elite after 24 years.

Hull remained 3rd despite the defeat, Bristol City overplayed Preston (3:0) and remained 4th, and Crystal Palace were more than convincing against Burnley (5:0), thus confirming their 5th place. There was much drama concerning 6th place, a position also leading to play-off. Watford were close to defeat in Blackpool and Sheffield United were ahead in Southampton, which gave Blades advantage. When Watford equalized and Sheffield United lost, Hornets were put back to 6th place, but Wolverhampton almost grabbed it before Watford, with win over Plymouth (just 1 goal short).

Leicester City in League One for the first time in their history

An even greater drama took place at bottom. One point for Leicester against Stoke would have kept Foxes in the League, if Southampton were to lose or draw against Sheffield United. When Saints got 3:2 lead after a great fight, it became clear that Leicester had to win. Few great opportunities and a post, was all Foxes managed to achieve. Had they scored, Coventry would`ve been relegated; they were defeated in Charlton (1:4). The team from Walkers hit bottom of their rich history, since they`ve never been lower than 2nd League. The team are, strangely, financially stable and well reinforced in January.

Watford favorite in play-off, but Crystal Palace also stand a chance

Watford-Hull and Crystal Palace-Bristol City are play-off semi-finals games. It seems that Watford are much more experienced in games of this kind than Hull, despite their terrible form lately. It`s a similar situation with second semi-final couple, everything seems to be on side of experienced Crystal Palace, but they are also in great form. There`s also experienced manager Neil Warnock, doing a great job for the team since November of 2007.

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