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Make Or Break In Two Match Season

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With just two matches remaining in the Championship, it is still mathematically possible any two out of a possible 10 teams could be relegated!



2012-13 Championship Table with 2 games remaining



Even though 10 different Championship teams could still mathematically get relegated this season, realistically it`s probably two out of four teams. Vital Posh looks at those four teams to see how they have been performing recently and who they still have to face.

Huddersfield Town

The Terriers are currently fifth from bottom and three points from the final relegation place. Huddersfield easily won their last match against Millwall which moved them out of the relegation places as both Posh and Wolves lost and Barnsley drew their matches.

The major problem Town could come up against is goal difference as they currently have the worst goal difference in the Championship!

Town`s last two matches sees them come up against two of the three teams currently in the relegation places. First up is a trip to already relegated Bristol City. City will want to put up a fight in their final home Championship match so it could be a tricky encounter for the Yorkshire side.

Their final League game of the season comes at home against Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in what could be an almighty tussle to see who gets relegated!

Current Form
W – 4
D – 1
L – 5

Key Man – Jermaine Beckford



Jermaine Beckford



Beckford is currently on loan and has finally started to find some form at the right stage of the season for the Terriers. He has made 20 starts for Huddersfield since signing on loan from Leicester City scoring 7 League goals with four of these coming in the last three matches.

Peterborough United

Posh are currently one place outside the relegation places but only on goal difference. Wolves and Barnsley both have the same number of points but they have goal differences of -11 and -16 respectively while Posh have a goal difference of -9.

Prior to last Saturdays defeat to Derby County, Posh had been on a 10 game unbeaten run so it will be interesting to see how the players react come their late kick-off match on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday.

Posh started the season off with manager Darren Ferguson claiming he had the best squad of players he had ever had however they started off in disastrous fashion losing the first seven League games on the bounce. In fact, they only won four out of their first 21 League matches while drawing just once!

Their form has dramatically improved since then and have lost only five more games while winning 10 and drawing 8 in the following 23 matches. They are desperate for this form to continue to move them to safety but they have two tough matches remaining.

First up is the televised clash with Sheffield Wednesday, who despite being five points from relegation could still be dragged into the final day not knowing if they are safe. A draw will probably be enough for Wednesday but Posh must pick up the three points if they want to make life easier for them going into their final game of the season.

That final game won`t be easy as they face a trip to Selhurst Park to face Ian Holloways play-off bound Crystal Palace. The Eagles form hasn`t been as good as they`d have hoped at this stage of the season having won just two of their last 10 games while losing five! Holloway will have his team fired up to ensure they don`t drop out of the play-offs at the very last minute.

Current Form
W – 3
D – 6
L – 1

Key Man – Lee Tomlin



Lee Tomlin



Love him or loathe him, on his day his is a very clever and skilful player that can carve out chances both for his fellow teammates and himself. However, he tends to be argumentative with referees and needs to curb his anger and take his frustrations out on the opposition in the right way. When Tomlin plays well, Posh play well so Posh need Tomlin to be on his top form for the remaining two matches.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Many people would`ve been shocked if you`d told them at the start of the season that Wolves would find themselves in a relegation dog-fight come the end of the season but that is exactly where they find themselves.

Dean Saunders took over the managers hot seat mid-way through the season but he couldn`t halt their slide down the League. He has now turned things round and has won five of their last 10 matches, but they have also lost four of them as well.

Their final two matches couldn`t be more different. First up is the visit of Burnley who despite being one of the 10 teams that could be relegated should be safe but they will want to guarantee their safety as soon as possible and will be looking to make that happen when they visit Molineux.

Wolves final match of the season is the daunting visit to play-off chasing Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls have only lost three matches at home all season and thumped Blackpool 6-1 in their last match at the Amex Stadium.

Current Form
W – 5
D – 1
L – 4

Key Man – Bakary Sako



Bakary Sako



Sako has been out injured with a hamstring injury but manager Dean Saunders may well take a risk and bring him back for the final two matches. The 10-goal winger is a crucial part to the Wolves set-up and will be given a late fitness test on Saturday.

Barnsley

The Tykes are currently occupying second from bottom but are level on points with Posh who occupy that crucial safe position of 21st.

They face a tough final home game of the season as Hull City make the trip from Humberside looking for the points that will give them promotion to the Premiership. Hull may not even have to kick a ball to gain promotion as defeat for Watford against Leicester City in the live TV match on Friday evening will mean they are promoted. Should that be the case, Hull may take their foot off the gas which will benefit Barnsley massively.

Their final match of the season is against relegation threatened Huddersfield Town. This match could even turn out to be “winner takes all” while the loser could end up being relegated.

Barnsley battled away for a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest in their last match but they had the woodwork to thank on numerous occasions! Two defeats in the last 10 matches is nothing to be sniffed at but just as Posh, Wolves and the Terriers know, they need to pick up as many points as possible in their last two matches if they are to stand a chance of avoiding relegation.

Current Form
W – 3
D – 5
L – 2

Key Man – Luke Steele



Luke Steele



The former Posh stopper has been a rock in the Barnsley goal for a number of seasons and has often been the difference in close matches. He needs to be on top form for the final two matches with Hull and Huddersfield if Barnsley are to stand and chance of avoiding relegation.

UP THE POSH

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Photos courtesy of www.theposhpics.com

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