Has Norwich City been in the first division before?

Tranmere had been in great form for most of Feb and March. Stumbled a bit during a crucial stretch.

Norwich was relegated from the EPL in 2016 after a decent run of top flight seasons. They are one of the few teams in British soccer that wears yellow as their primary color.

Yeah, after I posted that I remembered they'd been up recently.

Championship Playoff is pretty stacked:

Leeds vs. Derby/Middlesbrough/Bristol

West Brom vs. Villa

mathguy86 said:

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Looking forward to the time Barnsley makes it all the way up so we can have Barnsley v Burnley.

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With Bardley starting at right back for Burnley in that game against Barnsley. Good luck to the commentators keeping all that straight.

ptothemo said:

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mathguy86 said:

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Looking forward to the time Barnsley makes it all the way up so we can have Barnsley v Burnley.

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With Bardley starting at right back for Burnley in that game against Barnsley. Good luck to the commentators keeping all that straight.

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Now these are the little things I always look forward to

PJYoung said:

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I think the relegation battle between Brighton and Cardiff is going to be tight. Brighton is in such bad form and Cardiff, while losing 4 of their last 5, seem to be playing a bit better. Cardiff's run in is a little easier as well compared to Brighton. I only see the Newcastle game as a winnable one...

The horrible offside goal that Chelsea scored to tie the game against Cardiff could well make the difference between Cardiff being relegated and Chelsea getting top 4 at the same time.

mathguy86 said:

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The horrible offside goal that Chelsea scored to tie the game against Cardiff could well make the difference between Cardiff being relegated and Chelsea getting top 4 at the same time.

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I know. They got screwed there for sure. I also thought they looked good against Liverpool this weekend.

Brighton just hasn't looked good lately and their slate is ridiculous. Tottenham, Newcastle, Arsenal, and Man City....everyone has something to play for except for Newcastle.

Mid Week Results:

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton Was a gut-wrenching loss for Brighton as Christian Eriksen scored a late winner to strengthen Tottenham Hotspur's hold on third place. Eriksen collected a pass from Dele Alli and drilled a low shot into the corner with just two minutes of normal time remaining. It had looked as though Spurs would be frustrated as Seagulls goalkeeper Mat Ryan and central defenders Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk produced superb performances to keep the game scoreless to that point. But Eriksen's goal means Brighton remain only three points clear of third-from-bottom Cardiff City with three matches left each.

Watford 1-1 Southampton. Southampton were minutes themselves from claiming a vital three points when Andre Gray scored a late equaliser for Watford . The late goal cancelled out the fastest goal in Premier League history as Shane Long opened the scoring after only 7.69 seconds, charging down Craig Cathcart's clearance and lifting the ball over Ben Foster. It beat Ledley King's record of 9.82 seconds for Tottenham Hotspur at Bradford City in 2000. The Saints could have gone further ahead but Long missed two more chances and Ryan Bertrand hit a post. Watford made them pay in the 90th-minute, as a desperate cross hit Daryl Janmaat and fell for Gray to level and move Watford back up to seventh place. The point for Southampton means they are six points clear of third-from-bottom Cardiff City with three matches each remaining.

Current Table (through 35 games):
16 Southampton 37 points (-17 Goal Differential)
17 Brighton and Hove Albion 34 points (-22 Goal Differential)
18 Cardiff 31 points (-35 Goal Differential)
19 Fulham 23 points (-43 Goal Differential)-relegated
20 Huddersfield Town 14 points (-49 Goal Differential)-relegated

Aston you could do this for a major website and get paid. Beats anything on ESPNfc.


The best race right now is in the Championship. Leeds is blowing it. It is beautiful.

Thanks agsalaska! I am assuredly a repressed sports writer, if I win the lottery I will definitely be writing for a paper or books!

Current Table (through 35 games):
16 Southampton 37 points (-17 Goal Differential)
17 Brighton and Hove Albion 34 points (-22 Goal Differential)
18 Cardiff 31 points (-35 Goal Differential)
19 Fulham 23 points (-43 Goal Differential)-relegated
20 Huddersfield Town 14 points (-49 Goal Differential)-relegated

Key Weekend Relegation Matches:

Saturday:
Fulham v. Cardiff (9am, NBCSN, Craven Cottage). Fulham are looking for a third win in a row, while 18th-placed Cardiff City are seeking a second victory in three matches as they look to close the three-point gap to Brighton in the battle for safety. Cardiff have won all three of their prior EPL meetings with Fulham, including a 4-2 win this season, in Cardiff back in October. Fulham have the chance to secure a third successive PL win for the first time since March 2012. Cardiff desperately need to claim three points from this match, and with Fulham already relegated this should set up to be a very entertaining game.

Southampton v. Bournemouth (9am, CNBC, St. Mary's Stadium). Southampton are targeting a victory that would virtually guarantee their safety and will be hosting their south coast neighbors in Bournemouth, who appear to be basking in the knowledge that they will once again be in the EPL next season. The Saints lead Cardiff by 6 points, so a win would mean the best Cardiff could do is tie them, and with a 18 goal better goal differential it would be almost impossible for Cardiff to pass the Saints. Southampton have scored at least once in their last 12 Premier League home matches. Shane Long has scored in his last two PL home matches, having netted in just one of his previous 32. He has never scored in three successive home matches in the competition. Bournemouth are looking for their first away win against Southampton in all competitions, having drawn five and lost nine of their 14 trips there. With a club assured safety for next season and the other looking to assure themselves safety, this game has the promise of a wide open match.

Brighton v. Newcastle (11:30 am, NBC, Amex Stadium). Huge match for Brighton as they look to stay ahead of Cardiff in the relegation battle, as the Seagulls host Newcastle United, who are aiming for a second successive away win. Brighton have been dreadful lately and will be seeking a first home win in their last four league matches. The Seagulls haven't scored a goal since a March 9 win over Crystal Palace, going 0-5-1 over that spell. Newcastle are looking for a first Premier League win against Brighton, after losing 1-0 twice and drawing the other match 0-0. After this match Brighton finish at Arsenal and then home to Manchester City, so getting points here and at least keeping their cushion with Cardiff is vital.

Three great games this weekend, enjoy it!

Cardiff cannot buy a break. A squared up crossbar and 3 diving saves on the goal line by the Fulham GK in the last 6 minutes.

Saints clinch safety

Cardiff/Brighton going to the wire for relegation.

MB19 said:

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Cardiff/Brighton going to the wire for relegation.

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I don't about that... it's pretty much over at this point.

So this was interesting:

A Leeds/Villa match for promotion would be epic.

I've seen similar things happen at the HS level. Typically it's the team with the injured player that stops play first though.

This weekend gave us a bit of separation and dwindled the remaining relegation contenders to two, as Southampton punched their ticket for next season's EPL. Now we are just down two two teams vying for the last safe spot, with Cardiff on the outside looking in.

Weekend Results:

Fulham 1-0 Cardiff. Matches against already relegated teams are supposed to be an opportunity for points for those still in the battle, but Cardiff couldn't take advantage of an already relegated Fulham side at Craven Cottage as Cardiff's hopes of Premier League safety were dealt a serious blow by a stunning strike from Ryan Babel that gave Fulham the 1-0 win. Aleksandar Mitrovic had the best chance of the first half but the Fulham forward's shot was saved by Neil Etheridge. Fulham broke the deadlock with 11 minutes remaining when Babel curled a superb first-time shot into the far corner. Cardiff responded with Danny Ward's header that was tipped over by Sergio Rico, who made three more fine saves, while Junior Hoilett hit the crossbar. The loss, combined with Brighton & Hove Albion's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, means Cardiff are four points behind with two matches remaining.

Southampton 3-3 Bournemouth. Southampton confirmed EPL safety thanks to a 3-3 draw against Bournemouth and Cardiff City's loss at Fulham. Cherries striker Callum Wilson scored twice, including the last goal of the match in the 84th minute, but Saints earned the point they needed to avoid relegation. Southampton took the lead on 12 minutes when Shane Long converted Nathan Redmond's cutback. But Bournemouth leveled before half-time as Dan Gosling finished a fine counter-attack and then took the lead when Wilson pounced on a loose ball. James Ward-Prowse evened the match for Southampton with a 55th minute strike and took the lead when Matt Targett headed in Yan Valery's cross. But Wilson's second goal earned a draw for the Cherries. Southampton remain 16th, with 38 points, but are seven points above the relegation zone with two matches left.

Brighton 1-1 Newcastle. Pascal Gross ended Brighton & Hove Albion's long goal drought and helped Brighton earn a valuable 1-1 draw at the Amex against Newcastle United. Ayoze Perez had given Newcastle a first-half lead with an 18th-minute strike, his seventh since March, while Brighton failed to register a first-half shot. But the home side improved after the break and Gross nodded in from Glenn Murray's header with 15 minutes remaining for Brighton's first goal in 735 minutes. Murray had a chance to win it late on for Brighton, but the striker headed over. The result took Brighton to 35 points, four clear of 18th-placed Cardiff City, with just two matches remaining.

Current Table (through 36 games):
16 Southampton 38 points (-17 Goal Differential)
17 Brighton and Hove Albion 35 points (-22 Goal Differential)
18 Cardiff 31 points (-36 Goal Differential)
19 Fulham 26 points (-42 Goal Differential)-relegated
20 Huddersfield Town 14 points (-54 Goal Differential)-relegated

Some random thoughts:

Very happy about Southampton staying up. I think they've got a really good coach and I don't expect them to be in this position next season, especially seeing how they've played since Hasenhuttl took over. They're something like 8-7-8 which over a 38 game schedule means they're mid table.

Cardiff looks done but their schedule is easier than BHA. Cardiff plays Palace and Man U, which are 2 games they could get points out of. BHA are playing Arsenal and City...yikes. At least BHA will possibly have something to play for against City at home and that's good since I'm a Liverpool fan.

I don't remember Sheffield United ever being in the EPL so it'll be cool to see them.


Final thought...LETS GO LEEDS!!

Sheffield Utd were relegated on goal differential from the Premier League in 2007.

Update on the Lower Divisions:

Championship (top 2 are automatically promoted to EPL and clubs 3-6 go into playoff for final promotion spot, bottom 3 are relegated to League One, clubs play a 46 game regular season)

1 Norwich City 45 GP 91 points
2 Sheffield United 45 GP 88 points
3 Leeds United 45 GP 83 points
4 West Bromwich Albion 45 GP 80 points
5 Aston Villa 45 GP 76 points
6 Derby County 45 GP 71 points
7 Middlesbrough 45 GP 70 points
8 Bristol City 45 GP 69 points

Norwich and Sheffield United have clinched their spots in next season's EPL, always good to have Norwich in the top flight. Sheffield United have been in the EPL two times in the past, the last time back in 2007. After toiling in League One for the better part of the last decade the club was promoted to the Championship in 2017, and now after two Championship seasons it finds itself in the EPL again.

Three of the Four playoff spots are set, but the last playoff spot is still in the air, with Derby in the best position. Final games this weekend for the three clubs who still have a chance:

Derby v. West Brom
Rotherham v. Middlesbrough
Hull City v. Bristol City

Middlesbrough definitely have the easiest match, playing an already relegated Rotherham club, but West Brom will undoubtedly be resting players in preparation of the playoffs, so Derby might have caught them at the right time. Middlesbrough must win as they trail Derby on goal differential.

22 Rotherham United 45 GP 40 points-relegated
23 Bolton Wanderers 44 GP 32 points-relegated
24 Ipswich Town 45 GP 28 points-relegated

Bottom three is all set, as Rotherham, Bolton and Ipswich have all been demoted to League One for next season.


League One (top 2 are automatically promoted to Championship and clubs 3-6 go into playoff for final promotion spot, bottom 4 are relegated to League Two, clubs play a 46 game regular season)

1 Luton Town 45 GP 91 points
2 Barnsley 45 GP 91 points
3 Portsmouth 45 GP 87 points
4 Sunderland 45 GP 85 points
5 Charlton Athletic 45 GP 85 points
6 Doncaster Rovers 45 GP 70 points
7 Peterborough United 45 GP 69 points

Luton and Barnsley have locked up the two automatic promotion positions, the only question being who will finish first, as both sit on 91 points. There is still some jockeying around for playoff positioning, but three of the four spots are locked up, with only Doncaster and Peterborough left to fight for the final playoff position. This weekend Doncaster hosts Coventry City while Peterborough plays host to Burton Albion.


18 Wycombe Wanderers 45 GP 50 points
19 AFC Wimbledon 45 GP 49 points
20 Southend United 45 GP 47 points
21 Plymouth Argyle 45 GP 47 points
22 Walsall 45 GP 46 points
23 S****horpe United 45 GP 46 points
24 Bradford City 45 GP 40 points-relegated

Really tight battle to avoid relegation in League One, as only Bradford City have been assured a spot in League Two for next year. The other three spots are still up for grabs between 6 clubs. Wimbledon and Wycombe are close to safety, but some weird occurrences could still see them go down. Here are the remaining matches of note:

Plymouth Argyle v. S****horpe United
Bradford City v. AFC Wimbledon
Shrewsbury Town v. Walsall
Southend United v. Sunderland
Wycombe Wanderers v. Fleetwood Town


League Two (top 3 are automatically promoted to League One and clubs 4-7 go into playoff for final promotion spot, bottom 2 are relegated to non-league football, clubs play a 46 game regular season)

1 Lincoln City 45 GP 85 points-promoted
2 Bury 45 GP 78 points
3 Mansfield Town 45 GP 76 points
4 MK Dons 45 GP 76 points
5 Forest Green Rovers 45 GP 73 points
6 Tranmere Rovers 45 GP 73 points
7 Newport County 45 GP 70 points
8 Exeter City 45 GP 69 points
9 Colchester United 45 GP 67 points
10 Carlisle United 45 GP 67 points
11 Stevenage 45 GP 67 points

Lincoln City have officially claimed a spot in League One for next season, with it being a 5 team race for the other two automatic spots. 6 of the 7 promotion/playoff spots are secure with it being a wild race for the final position as 5 clubs are within 3 points of that position. Newport County currently holds the last playoff spot, but there are no guarantees as their goal differential is worse than all the clubs chasing them. Newport County really must win to assure themselves a spot in the playoff. Final weekend matches of note:

Bury v. Port Vale
Crawley Town v. Tranmere Rovers
Forest Green Rovers v. Exeter City
Lincoln City v. Colchester United
MK Dons v. Mansfield Town
Morecambe v. Newport County
Stevenage v. Cheltenham Town
Yeovil Town v. Carlisle United

22 Macclesfield Town 45 GP 43 points
23 Notts County 45 GP 41 points
24 Yeovil Town 45 GP 39 points-relegated

Yeovil Town have been relegated to non-league football while Notts County is in a must win situation and hope Macclesfield lose in order to stay up. Final key matches are:

Macclesfield Town v. Cambridge United
Swindon Town v. Notts County

So the EPL relegation battle is down to two clubs vying for the last safe position. Cardiff are 4 points down to Brighton with 2 matches to play, so they really have to win out, given their much worse goal differential.

Current Table (through 36 games):
17 Brighton and Hove Albion 35 points (-22 Goal Differential)
18 Cardiff 31 points (-36 Goal Differential)
19 Fulham 26 points (-42 Goal Differential)-relegated
20 Huddersfield Town 14 points (-54 Goal Differential)-relegated

Key Weekend Matches:

Saturday:

Cardiff City v. Crystal Palace (11:30am, NBC, Cardiff City Stadium). Cardiff City are aiming to avoid a third successive defeat as they seek to bridge the four-point gap to Brighton & Hove Albion in the battle for safety. Crystal Palace are on a good run and will be seeking their fifth victory in their last six Premier League away matches, having only lost to Tottenham Hotspur in that run. Since the turn of the year only Manchester City, with 21 points, have won more away points than Palace's 16. Cardiff will be looking for their first PL goal against Palace in four attempts. Cardiff must be aggressive and chase this game, as a draw does the club little good.

Sunday:

Arsenal v. Brighton & Hove Albion (10:30am, NBCSN, Emirates Stadium). This will be a battle of two out of sort clubs as Arsenal will be aiming to avoid a fourth straight Premier League defeat as they bid to claim a top four spot. Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion are winless in their last seven EPL matches, and will be seeking to maintain or increase their four-point cushion above Cardiff City and secure safety. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven home matches against Brighton in all competitions and have conceded just one goal in those meetings. Depending on the results of Saturday's match in Cardiff, the Gulls may be very happy to head to North London and pull out a point from this match, or their spot in next year's EPL could already be assured.

Enjoy the weekend!

I really hope Cardiff wins to give Brighton something to fight for in the last game.

And Cardiff continues to demonstrate that they have no karma at all. They ring the post at :40.

They just couldn't finish. They had tons of chances just just could not get it over the line. At least we have the relegation battle at the other end of the table for the last week.

Cardiff City 2-3 Crystal Palace. Cardiff City were in a much win situation on Saturday to keep their small hopes of avoiding relegation alive, but the Bluebirds were relegated after Crystal Palace beat them 3-2 at the Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff fell behind in the 28th minute on a strike by former player Wilfried Zaha. But Cardiff leveled the match three minutes later when Palace's Martin Kelly diverted Leandro Bacuna's cross into his own net. Michy Batshuayi restored Palace's lead before half-time and Townsend extended it in the 70th minute with a solo effort. Cardiff kept battling and Bobby De Cordova-Reid curled in a late consolation. Cardiff's team's one-year stay in the Premier League is over as their 18th-place finish was confirmed.

Current Table (through 37 games):
17 Brighton and Hove Albion 36 points
18 Cardiff 31 points-relegated
19 Fulham 26 points-relegated
20 Huddersfield Town 15 points-relegated

And with that the EPL Relegation watch is over for another year. We didn't have the drama this year that we have had in year's past, as Fulham and Huddersfield had their fate sealed early, and Cardiff always looked the side most likely to join them. Congratulations to Wolverhampton on being the one promoted club from last year that will be extending their stay in the EPL.

Update on the Lower Divisions: The EFL finished their regular season this weekend, so we now have our clubs that we know are promoted, those that are in the playoff and those that are relegated for each lower division.

Championship (top 2 are automatically promoted to EPL and clubs 3-6 go into playoff for final promotion spot, bottom 3 are relegated to League One)

1 Norwich City 94 points
2 Sheffield United 89 points
3 Leeds United 83 points
4 West Bromwich Albion 80 points
5 Aston Villa 76 points
6 Derby County 74 points
7 Middlesbrough 73 points
8 Bristol City 70 points

Norwich and Sheffield United have clinched their spots in next season's EPL, with Norwich claiming the Championship Title.

Derby won their final game versus an uninterested West Brom to claim the final playoff position by one point over Middlesbrough. Playoffs begin this coming Saturday, and are a two game home and home, with the second leg on Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week.

Playoffs
Saturday, May 11:
Aston Villa v. West Brom (6:30 am CDT)
Derby v. Leeds (11:15 am CDT)
Tuesday, May 14:
West Brom v. Aston Villa (2:00 pm CDT)
Wednesday, May 15:
Leeds v. Derby (1:45pm CDT)

Playoff final: Monday, May 27 at Wembley

22 Rotherham United 40 points-relegated
23 Bolton Wanderers 32 points-relegated
24 Ipswich Town 31 points-relegated

Bottom three was already determined, as Rotherham, Bolton and Ipswich have all been demoted to League One for next season.


League One (top 2 are automatically promoted to Championship and clubs 3-6 go into playoff for final promotion spot, bottom 4 are relegated to League Two)

1 Luton Town 94 points
2 Barnsley 91 points
3 Charlton Athletic 88 points
4 Portsmouth 88 points
5 Sunderland 85 points
6 Doncaster Rovers 73 points
7 Peterborough United 72points

Luton and Barnsley had already locked up the two automatic promotion positions,but Luton claimed the crown with a win on Saturday. Doncaster held off Peterborough by one point to claim the last playoff position.

Playoffs
Saturday, May 11:
Sunderland v. Portsmouth (2:30 pm CDT)
Sunday, May 12:
Doncaster v. Charlton Athletic (6:15 am CDT)
Thursday, May 16:
Portsmouth v. Sunderland (1:45 pm CDT)
Friday, May 17:
Charlton Athletic v. Doncaster (1:45 pm CDT)

Playoff final: Sunday, May 26 at Wembley

19 Southend United 50 points
20 AFC Wimbledon 50 points
21 Plymouth Argyle 50 points-relegated
22 Walsall 47 points-relegated
23 S****horpe United 46 points-relegated
24 Bradford City 41 points-relegated

Was a fight to the finish for relegation from League One, as Plymouth Argyle is relegated due to goal differential, with just a three goal difference between them and Wimbledon, with Southend also finishing on 50 points.


League Two (top 3 are automatically promoted to League One and clubs 4-7 go into playoff for final promotion spot, bottom 2 are relegated to non-league football)

1 Lincoln City 85 points
2 Bury 79 points
3 MK Dons 79 points
4 Mansfield Town 76 points
5 Forest Green Rovers 74 points
6 Tranmere Rovers 73 points
7 Newport County 71 points
8 Colchester United 70 points
9 Exeter City 70 points
10 Stevenage 70 points

Lincoln City had already wrapped up the League Two title and promotion, but Bury and MK Dons had to wait until the last day to secure their automatic promotion spots, edging out Mansfield Town. Newport County just claimed the final playoff spot, beating out Colchester, Exeter City and Stevenage all by one point.

Playoffs:
Thursday, May 9:
Newport County v. Mansfield Town (1:45 pm CDT)
Friday, May 10:
Tranmere Rovers v. Forest Green Rovers (1:45 pm CDT)
Sunday, May 12:
Mansfield Town v. Newport County (6:00 am CDT)
Monday, May 13:
Forest Green Rovers v. Tranmere Rovers (1:45 pm CDT)

Playoff final: Saturday, May 25 at Wembley

22 Macclesfield Town 44 points
23 Notts County 41 points-relegated
24 Yeovil Town 40 points-relegated

Macclesfield held off Notts County to claim the final spot in league football. Yeovil Town and Notts County must now endure non-league football next season.

Pulling for Tranmere. Would really like to see Portsmouth get promoted.

Villa through to Wembley.

Waiting on winner of Derby and Leeds. Leeds up 1-0 after 1st Leg.

Mikeyshooter said:

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Villa through to Wembley.

Waiting on winner of Derby and Leeds. Leeds up 1-0 after 1st Leg.

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Either way, that is going to be a fantastic game.

I hope it is not buried on ESPN+

Don't worry, it will be. Even the FA Cup final is on ESPN +

joemeister said:

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Don't worry, it will be. Even the FA Cup final is on ESPN +

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Is it really?

How in the **** did anyone agree to that?


**** ESPN

Agree. I have no idea how such a match is on ESPN+...very disappointing...especially if Leeds make it in....