The promotion race in England’s second division is coming to a head. Following the 2-2 draw between Southampton and Ipswich, there will be a showdown between three teams for direct promotion on the final matchday. The Saints can no longer jump to second place.
The matchday 40 replay scheduled for Tuesday evening was a tough one. There was a lot at stake for Southampton and Ipswich, and of course the other promotion contenders were also watching with interest.
After a scoreless first half, the match picked up pace after the break. Burns put the visitors ahead after 48 minutes, but Manning (58) and Larin (80) turned the game around for the home side. The visitors had the final say in the game, however, with Clarke scoring shortly before the end to make it 2-2 (87′).
Ipswich were left with a draw that left both sides with long faces at the end, although Ipswich were able to live with it a little better. However, the visitors could have secured direct promotion to the Premier League with a three-pointer, meaning a drop to third place would only have been theoretical. Southampton were more disappointed, as the Saints are now four points off the pace with one matchday left of the season and no longer in with a chance of securing a direct promotion place. After all, the promotion play-offs are already safe.
Three teams hope for direct promotion on the final matchday
This draw on Tuesday evening has created an extremely exciting constellation for the final matchday in the promotion race. Coventry City have already been promoted in first place, but three teams still have a chance of finishing second before the final matchday. In pole position is Ipswich, who are currently second, one point and 17 goals ahead of Millwall and two points and five goals ahead of Middlesbrough.
Ipswich have a home game against 14th-placed Queens Park Rangers on the final matchday and can make it all clear with a three-pointer. Millwall (at home to 22nd-placed Oxford, who are already safely relegated) and Middlesbrough (at sixth-placed Wrexham, who are still in contention for the play-offs) would need Kieran McKenna’s side to slip up.
The top two teams in the Championship are promoted directly, while the teams in third to sixth place take part in the play-offs to determine another promotion contender.
