BAGGIES BACK IN CHAMPIONSHIP
A further club has now been confirmed as being part of the Coca-Cola Championship for the 2009-10 season, with West Bromwich Albion officially relegated from the Premier League following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.
The defeat, thanks to goals from Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt, condemned Tony Mowbray's side to the drop; meaning that the final three places in next season's Championship are the only ones left to fill.
Middlesbrough have a tough task of avoiding the drop to The Championship; and will have to rely on both Newcastle United and Hull City losing against Aston Villa and newly-crowned Champions Manchester United respectively; whilst needing to also score five goals without conceding any as they take on West Ham United at Upton Park. However, there are always twists and turns in the Premier League and any two of Hull City, Newcastle, Sunderland (who play Portsmouth on Monday evening; a win would make The Black Cats safe) and Boro could be relegated on the final day of the season, with all games kicking off at the same time on Sunday 24th May.
The contenders for the League One Play-Off Final have now also been confirmed, with Millwall taking on Rovers' local rivals Scunthorpe United at Wembley on Sunday. The winner will join Leicester City and Peterborough United in the second tier.
One team will also be leaving The Championship and joining the Premier League - as Sheffield United take on Burnley at the home of English football on Monday 25th May. Reading and Preston North End will play in The Championship next season after suffering defeat in the Play-Off Semi Finals.
Norwich City, Southampton and Charlton Athletic will all play in Coca-Cola League One next season, after falling through the relegation trapdoor this term, whilst Champions Wolverhampton Wanderers and runner's-up Birmingham City can look forward to Premier League football next term.
By the time the final whistle blows at Wembley on Monday afternoon - next season's Coca-Cola Championship line-up will be completed!
Confirmed Coca-Cola Championship Teams 2009-10
Barnsley
Blackpool
Bristol City
Cardiff City
Coventry City
Crystal Palace
Derby County
Doncaster Rovers
Ipswich Town
Leicester City
Nottingham Forest
Peterborough United
Plymouth Argyle
Preston North End
Queens Park Rangers
Reading
Sheffield Wednesday
Swansea City
Watford
West Bromwich Albion
From Premier League: (Two from four will play in The Championship next season) Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Hull City or Sunderland
Championship Promotion Race: (One from Championship Play-Off Final) Sheffield United or Burnley
League One Promotion Race: (One from League One Play-Off Final) Millwall or Scunthorpe United
















