MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 14:07:39| >> :120:8897:8897:

Preview: Championship playoff semi-finals

Sports Mole runs the rule over this weekend's Championship playoff semi-finals.

After an exhausting 46-game season, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Brighton & Hove Albion will fight it out to secure the final promotion place to the Premier League, starting with this weekend's Championship playoff semi-finals.

Derby and QPR have been in the top six for most of the season, but Wigan's and Brighton's places in the end-of-season showpiece wasn't confirmed until the final week of the season.

Brighton secured their spot in spectacular fashion by scoring a last-minute winner against Nottingham Forest on the last day to sneak in ahead of Reading, who could only draw 2-2 with Burnley.

Here, Sports Mole previews the upcoming two-legged semi-finals, with the winners facing off in the final at Wembley on Saturday, May 24.

(3) Derby vs. Brighton (6)

Brighton's Leonardo Ulloa heads in the opening goal against Derby on August 10, 2013© Getty Images

When?

First leg - Brighton vs. Derby, Thursday 7.45pm

Second leg - Derby vs. Brighton, Sunday 5.15pm

Form going into the playoffs

Derby: DWWWWW

Brighton: WWDDWW

H2H this season

Derby won both games between the two sides this season. They first met on the second weekend of the season when Leonardo Ulloa opened his account to put the Seagulls ahead.

That was the only goal Oscar Garcia's side would score against the Rams this season, as Chris Martin struck a double to turn around the game at the Amex before Steve McClaren's men won 1-0 at the iPro Stadium in January.

Two key men

Derby's Craig Bryson celebrates after scoring his third goal against Nottingham Forest during the Championship match on March 22, 2014© Getty Images
For Brighton, they will look to Leonardo Ulloa, above, for goals. The Argentine has already scored against the Rams this season and also netted the memorable last-gasp winner against Forest.

Derby will hope that midfielder Craig Bryson continues his fine goalscoring form - the Scot netted 16 times from midfield this season.

Sports Mole says: Derby by two or three goals

(4) QPR vs. Wigan (5)

Ravel Morrison of Queens Park Rangers shoots at goal against Wigan Athletic during the Sky Bet Championship match at Loftus Road on March 25, 2014© Getty Images

When?

First leg - Wigan vs. QPR, Friday 7.45pm

Second leg - QPR vs. Wigan, Monday 7.45pm

Form going into the playoffs

Derby: DWWWWW

Brighton: WWDDWW

H2H this season

There was just one goal in the two games between the R's and the Latics this season. It was scored by Yossi Benayoun, who was later sent off in the second fixture at Loftus Road, after the first meeting in October ended goalless.

Both sides are looking for an instant return to the top flight after last year's relegation, with both meetings last season also finishing as draws.

Two key men

Wigan's Jordi Gomez scores the opening goal via the penalty spot against Manchester City during their FA Cup quarter-final match on March 9, 2014© AFP
QPR's shining light in the second half of the season has been Ravel Morrison, above. The West Ham United loanee has scored six goals in 15 appearances since his move across London and provides flair in Harry Redknapp's solid lineup.

Uwe Rosler has rotated his lineup plenty of times this season because of the club's European duties and a deep run in the FA Cup. Multiple changes are less likely in the playoffs and one name surely on the teamsheet will be Jordi Gomez, who has a habit of scoring big goals and is reliable from the spot should penalties be needed.

Sports Mole says: Wigan in a tight affair that could very well go all the way to penalties

SM's pick for promotion: Wigan. Even though the two sides with the best form contest the Derby-Brighton semi, the winner of the QPR-Wigan tie will have plenty more big-game experience and that could be enough to win at Wembley.

You'll be able to follow live text coverage of every single game here on Sports Mole over the course of the weekend.

ID:153743: cacheID:153743:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8508:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manager of Derby County Steve McClaren looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Leeds United at Pride Park Stadium on October 05, 2013
Read Next:
McClaren expects tough Brighton test
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Portsmouth392411463323183
2Derby CountyDerby402461069353478
3Bolton WanderersBolton39228971432874
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough38218974462871
5Barnsley382011770482271
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd391891262521063
7Stevenage3917111151401162
8Lincoln CityLincoln3916131056332361
9Blackpool391791357421560
10Leyton Orient391610134444058
11Northampton TownNorthampton40158175160-953
12Wigan AthleticWigan39177155348550
13Wycombe WanderersWycombe381311145049150
14Bristol Rovers38148164857-950
15Exeter CityExeter39138183352-1947
16Charlton AthleticCharlton391015145758-145
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury39135212955-2644
18Reading39139175557-242
19Burton Albion39109203151-2039
20Cambridge UnitedCambridge38109193255-2339
21Port Vale3899203661-2536
22Cheltenham TownCheltenham3798203050-2035
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood39713194161-2034
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3959253569-3424


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!