As the season reaches it's finale, it can become difficult to understand the changes that are about to occur in the football pyramid.
Do not worry, as this guide will explain what teams have already achieved, as well as all of the permutations that are still to play out on the final match of the season.
Make sure to strap yourselves in, as the matches that took place this weekend have vital implications.
Championship
As Burnley and Leeds United secured automatic promotion to the Premier League over the Easter weekend, the main drama in the Championship came from the playoff race and the relegation battle.
In the playoff race, 6th placed Coventry City began the weekends action, but they suffered a shock defeat to relegation threatened Luton Town thanks to a 90th minute goal from Shandon Baptiste.
That opened the door for rivals to close the gap, which Millwall and Blackburn Rovers took full advantage of as they defeated Swansea City and Watford respectively. However, Middlesborough were unable to capitalize as they were held to a 0-0 draw with Norwich City.
These results mean that Bristol City can secure 5th place and a spot in the playoffs if they can defeat Leeds in their clash on Monday night. Regardless of the result in that game, the Championship playoff race will have an enthralling final day, as any one of four teams can secure that final place.
At the bottom of the table, Cardiff City were relegated down to League One for the first time since 2003 as they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Brom. In the battle to avoid joining them, there were two key clashes between pairs of relegation rivals that may have season defining consequences.
Plymouth Argyle kept their slim hopes alive by beating Preston North End 2-1, although as Luton secured all three points against Coventry, they are 3 points and 14 goal difference from safety with only one match remaining. In the other pivotal encounter, Derby County’s Nat Phillips scored a late goal to defeat Hull City 1-0.
Oxford United secured their safety with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland, but those results meant that Stoke City are not safe from relegation as they lost 2-0 to Sheffield United. With only one game to play, 5 teams are battling to avoid relegation in a dramatic race that will go right to the wire.
League One
Wrexham became the first professional team to secure three consecutive promotions in the English football pyramid, as they secured 2nd place and a spot in next season’s Championship.
A thunderous strike from Ollie Rathbone and a brace from Sam Smith saw The Red Dragons defeat Charlton Athletic 3-0, earning them automatic promotion after Wycombe Wanderers had suffered a 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient earlier in the day.
Those results consign Wycombe, Charlton and Stockport County, who came from 2-0 down to beat Lincoln City 3-2, to playoff campaigns.
In the battle to join them, Leyton Orient beat Wycombe and Reading defeated Bristol Rovers 2-0, meaning that the two sides remain separated by goal difference heading into the final match.
At the foot of the table, Cambridge United saw their relegation to League Two confirmed with a 2-1 defeat against Burton Albion. That defeat lifted The Brewers, who have a game in hand, three points clear of Bristol Rovers. Crawley Town remain with a chance at survival as they thrashed Northampton Town 3-0 for their second consecutive victory, but they remain 3 points adrift with time running out for their escape.
League Two
The pulsating League Two promotion race that has had so many twists and turns this season finally saw two sides secure automatic promotion.
Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale will both return to League One next season, as they have guaranteed themselves a place in the top 3. Doncaster did so with a 2-1 victory over promotion rivals Bradford City, whilst Vale won 2-0 at AFC Wimbledon to secure their immediate return to the third tier.
Bradford’s defeat to Doncaster gave Walsall the opportunity to move into the top 3, but they extended their winless run to 13 games with a 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley. Those results mean that Bradford will secure automatic promotion with a final day victory over Fleetwood, with Walsall well placed to capitalise if The Bantams slip up.
Notts County secured their playoff place with a 3-1 victory over Harrogate Town, and they may be able to sneak into the automatic promotion places should both Bradford and Walsall falter in their final game.
In the battle to join them in the top 7, Salford thrashed Colchester United 4-1 to leapfrog their opponents and move into 7th place. Chesterfield also kept their hopes alive, as they won 4-1 against recently relegated Morecambe, but Grimsby were held to a damaging 0-0 draw at MK Dons.
With only one match remaining, five teams are battling for 2 playoff spots in what promises to be a thrilling finale to the League Two season.
At the bottom of the table, Carlisle United saw their second consecutive relegation confirmed, as they conceded a 93rd minute goal to lose 3-2 to Cheltenham Town. That result means that they will join Morecambe in the National League next season.
National League Promotion
The relegated clubs will be replaced next season by Barnet, as The Bees have won promotion from the National League. A 4-0 victory over Aldershot was enough to ensure they won the title, meaning they will return to the EFL for the first time since 2018.
