ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:QPR go into their home clash with Hull today knowing a win would seal promotion to the Premier League. The west London side has not played in the top flight since 1996, but Saturday's 2-2 draw with Cardiff City has put them on the brink of a return to the big time, pending a English FA ruling regarding the third-party ownership of Alejandro Faurlin.
Cardiff’s trip to Preston will have ramifications on both ends of the table as the hosts continue to battle for survival and Dave Jones’ side look to move back into the top two.
Play-off hopefuls Leeds United go to a Crystal Palace side just outside the relegation zone and United manager Simon Grayson is keen to build on his side’s goalless draw with Reading. “We can only affect the games we are involved in – we have to look after ourselves then see how the others have done,” he said.
Sheffield United’s win over Bristol City kept their faint hopes of avoiding the drop alive, but they travel to fourth-placed Reading, while Scunthorpe entertain Millwall who sit ninth in the table, but only two points outside the top six.
Norwich will be looking to build on their 5-1 victory over Ipswich Town by maintaining their grip on the second automatic promotion place with a win at home to Derby.
Nigel Clough’s side has all but guaranteed Championship football next season, but they will still want a result at Carrow Road to end any chance of relegation.
Nottingham Forest fill the final play-off berth by virtue of goal difference and they will be looking to stay there with a victory at Bristol City. Burnley could take advantage of any Forest slip-up if they can beat Portsmouth, while a win at home to Ipswich would be a huge step towards securing a place in the play-offs for fifth-placed Swansea.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)