'Fortunate' Owls look to pull clear at Palace's expense

Sheffield Wednesday are "fortunate" to still have a chance of avoiding relegation, according to their manager Alan Irvine.

The Owls face Crystal Palace at Hillsborough tomorrow, knowing that a win will see them stay up at their opponents' expense. Any other result and the club will fall into the third tier of English football for the second time in a decade.

"We are in a lucky position after Monday night, it's important we don't choke now," he said. "We need to realise how fortunate we are and take advantage of it." Wednesday won five of the first seven games after Irvine was appointed in January and looked like they would pull clear, but two wins in 15 since then has seen them sucked back into trouble.

Palace's story is a well documented one but thoughts of financial pressure were not playing on Paul Hart's mind as he looked forward to tomorrow's match. "Football is about concentration and we have to concentrate on winning the game," he said. "It's not wise to go up there and just defend. If we approach it looking for a point then we might come unstuck."

The only other issue to be decided in the Championship is the final play- off spot. This will belong to Blackpool – at home to Bristol City – unless they achieve a worse result than Swansea, who host Doncaster.

Leeds United can return to the Championship if they beat Charlton Athletic and Millwall lose at relegation-threatened Tranmere Rovers in League One.

In League Two, Grimsby Town host Barnet in the big game, knowing they must win if they are to take the battle for League survival to the final weekend. The Bees this week sacked Ian Hendon as their manager after a run of five straight defeats. Paul Fairclough will take charge of the side for the final two games of the season.

Ups and downs

Championship

Blackpool take the final play-off spot if they match or better Swansea's result. Sheffield Wednesday go down if they fail to beat Crystal Palace, while an Owls victory would send the Eagles down.

League One

Leeds go up if they win and Millwall lose. Wycombe go down if they lose, Tranmere join them if they lose and both Exeter and Gillingham win.

League Two

Rotherham claim a play-off place with a win against Crewe. Grimsby host Barnet needing to win to have any chance of surviving.