But relegation to League One can spell disaster on and off the pitch from which it can take a long time to recover.

Of the 24 teams in the Coca-Cola Championship, 14 still have something to play for. Here we look at the prospects of the sides whose seasons will be defined in the final round of fixtures.

PROMOTION

WEST BROM: Tony Mowbray's side have effectively sealed their return to the top flight. Only a freak set of results which would include a combination of defeat at QPR coupled with a Hull win over Ipswich, overturning a 12-goal deficit in the process - combined with Stoke getting at least a point at home to Leicester - will prevent the Baggies' return to the Premier League. The current leaders will go up as champions provided they match or better Stoke's result.

STOKE: The Potters are in second place on goal difference and are guaranteed at least a play-off place even if they lose to Leicester. Tony Pulis' side could go up as champions provided they better West Brom's result at QPR while a draw at the Britannia Stadium would ensure promotion.

HULL: Phil Brown's side have secured a play-off place but victory over Ipswich at Portman Road would be enough to take them into the top flight for the first time provided Stoke lose at home to Leicester.

BRISTOL CITY: The surprise package of the season are fourth and have secured a place in the play-offs but are unable to win automatic promotion.

WATFORD: Adrian Boothroyd's side have limped towards the finish line and now require victory away to Blackpool to make certain of their play-off place. A draw could be enough as long as Wolves fail to win at home to Plymouth.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Neil Warnock's outfit need a home victory over Burnley to secure their spot. A draw could be enough if Wolves fail to win and Ipswich and Sheffield United fail to win by more than two and four goals respectively. They could lose and still claim a place if Wolves, Ipswich and Sheffield United fail to collect three points.

WOLVES: Mick McCarthy's side will take a play-off berth if they defeat Plymouth at Molineux and either Palace fail to win or Watford lose. If Watford draw Wolves would need to win by three clear goals to overhaul the Hornets goal difference. A draw for Wolves would only be enough if Palace suffer defeat by a unlikely eight-goal margin at home to Burnley.

IPSWICH: The Tractor Boys can still make the play-offs but must claim victory at home to Hull and see both Wolves fail to win and Palace lose and maintain their goal difference ahead of Sheffield United.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Realistically the Blades must claim victory at Southampton and hope that Wolves and Ipswich fail to win and Palace lose.

RELEGATION

BLACKPOOL: A point at home to Watford should be enough to avoid the drop as 22nd-placed Southampton have a vastly inferior goal difference. The Seasiders will be safe even if they lose provided either the Saints or Leicester fail to win at home to Sheffield United and away to Stoke respectively. A defeat for Sheffield Wednesday at home to Norwich would also keep the Seasiders up.

COVENTRY: Chris Coleman's side realistically require a point from their game at Charlton to ensure their place in the Championship for next season. The Sky Blues will be safe even if they lose as long as either Southampton or Leicester fail to win. A defeat for Sheffield Wednesday at home to Norwich would also be enough.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: A win for the Owls at home to Norwich would definitely see them avoid the drop. Defeat would see them reliant on either Southampton or Leicester failing to win.

LEICESTER CITY: Victory at Stoke would almost certainly ensure the Foxes avoid joining Colchester and Scunthorpe in League One. They are level on points with Southampton, who currently sit in the relegation zone, but the Saints have a goal difference of -17 compared to Leicester's -3. A draw could be enough provided either the Saints draw or lose to Stoke or Sheffield Wednesday lose by two clear goals at home to Norwich.

SOUTHAMPTON: Because of their woeful goal difference anything other than victory at home to Sheffield United will see Nigel Pearson's side relegated. Even if they win they are still reliant on either Leicester or Sheffield Wednesday failing to win or defeats for Coventry or Blackpool.