As the season heads into its final day, the relegation battle in the Championship has intensified, with five teams Stoke, Derby, Preston, Luton, and Hull fighting to avoid joining Cardiff and Plymouth in dropping to League One next season. Cardiff, already relegated, and Plymouth, almost mathematically so, will watch anxiously as these five sides face crucial fixtures.
Stoke, who sit 18th in the table, are in the thick of it, with a negative goal difference and 50 points to their name. Derby and Preston follow closely behind, both on 49 points, while Luton and Hull, with 49 and 48 points respectively, are also struggling. These clubs are fully aware that a defeat on the final day could prove fatal, sending them into the third tier of English football.
Hull’s situation is especially precarious, with head coach Rubén Sellés trying to keep his players focused despite mounting pressure. After a damaging home defeat to Derby, Hull’s manager decided to cancel the team’s awards night to prevent a distracting atmosphere. Sellés emphasized the importance of staying focused on the fight for survival, even giving his players an extra day off to breathe and regroup. The late payment of wages added another layer of concern, though Sellés downplayed it compared to the severe off-field issues he faced during his time at Reading.
For these teams, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the final day approaches, their performances will dictate whether they remain in the Championship or face the harsh realities of relegation. The upcoming games will test the resolve of players and coaches, especially after such a turbulent season marked by managerial changes.
The situation has been fluid all season long. As recently as February 13, Derby were in a dire position, prompting them to bring in former midfielder John Eustace to try to salvage their season. Luton, on the other hand, were at the bottom of the table, while Preston had a comfortable cushion of 11 points between themselves and the relegation zone. Just two months ago, Preston were still in the hunt for a playoff spot, with aspirations of a top-six finish, but a poor run of form has seen them drop to the brink of relegation.
On the flip side, Derby, who had been struggling, have shown significant improvement under Eustace, with just two defeats in their last 10 matches. Luton have also made a late surge, winning three consecutive matches under new manager Matt Bloomfield, who took over after a slow start. Bloomfield’s efforts were especially emotional after Luton’s vital win against Coventry last Saturday, which came just days after the death of goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski’s father. Kaminski’s emotional performance symbolized the resilience Luton have displayed in recent weeks.
The unpredictability of the final day means any of these five teams could still be saved or fall into League One. The form of the teams will be crucial, as Derby’s recent good run contrasts sharply with Preston’s downward spiral. Hull, though improved under Sellés, will have to dig deep to avoid the drop, while Luton’s recent winning streak provides hope that they can secure safety.
The emotional swings of the final day will be immense. Last season, Luton were battling to stay in the Premier League, while Derby celebrated promotion. Stoke also managed to avoid relegation last year with a strong finish, while Preston ended the campaign in mid-table safety despite a late slump. The rollercoaster of emotions for the teams fighting relegation is far from over, and for one of these clubs, the dream of Championship survival will come to a heartbreaking end.
