Image source, Rex Features

Stoke City’s task is - in theory - straightforward. Avoid defeat at Pride Park and they will be safe.

The Potters are two points clear of Hull City, who occupy the Championship’s final relegation spot, and are in the best position out of all those who could potentially go down today.

Mark Robins’ side have lost their past two games to leave them still embroiled in the survival scrap but had been unbeaten in five (W3 D2) before those losses to two of the top three in Leeds and Sheffield United.

Should Stoke lose, they will only go down if Luton and Hull both win and Preston get at least a draw.

There is a very unlikely scenario that Hull win, Preston avoid defeat and Luton draw which could see Stoke relegated but only if they lose by five or more.

Stoke haven't played in English football's third tier since 2002 and will be keen to avoid any unnecessary anxiety. It’s very much in their own hands.

Andrew Aloia
BBC Sport at Pride Park

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County head coach John Eustace doesn’t strike me as a motivational poster kind of guy.

You won’t see a picture of kitten clutching onto a tree branch with the words ‘hang in there’ adorning any walls in his office.

Nor will you find the iconic ‘keep calm and carry on’ poster, which has long been the most quintessentially British slogan used in moments of adversity.

But that’s not to say he hasn’t latched onto the sentiment.

For weeks Derby have been fighting for their Championship lives.

Time and again, they have come up with the results.

The message this week was to keep it up and to not be overawed by what is at stake in their final-day showdown with relegation rivals Stoke.

So often did he repeat that message during his pre-match press conference that I had to ask if he had a ‘keep calm and carry on poster’ stashed away somewhere.

It drew a laugh and smile from the normally stern-faced Eustace, and he just pointed to his head and said: "In my mind I have."

He has visualised it, but now he will be demanding his Rams players follow through with one last composed victory in the face of danger.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County have been toying with relegation since January and looked to be in serious trouble when Paul Warne was sacked in early February after a run of seven straight defeats left them 22nd in the table.

But John Eustace has slowly but surely steadied the ship at Pride Park, picking up six wins from the past 10 games (D2 L2) including two consecutive victories going into the final day to put their Championship status in their own hands.

The Rams are one point above the drop zone and boast the best goal difference of all five sides in the mix today.

A win against Stoke or a Hull defeat at Portsmouth will ensure Derby avoid an immediate return to League One following promotion last season.

If Hull win and Derby fail to do so, they will stay up as long as they match one of either Preston or Luton’s results.

Image source, BBC/Getty Images

Where to begin with the Championship relegation battle? Five teams are realistically fighting for survival with just two points separating Stoke in 18th from Hull City in 22nd, who sit in the final spot in the drop zone before kick-off.

Plymouth's vastly inferior goal difference means they are effectively all but down barring a miracle.

Because Derby and Stoke face each other, there is also a unique situation where the fate of every club is in their own hands if they can take care of their own result.

In a nutshell, Hull City will stay up if they win, while a draw would be enough if Preston or Luton lose - or Derby lose by three.

A defeat for the Tigers would mean that all four sides above them will stay up regardless.

As for those starting the day above the dotted line, matching or bettering the result of their rivals is effectively what's required.

For a full breakdown of the permutations, which could potentially become somewhat complex, let us once again point you in the direction of those here.

James Piercy
BBC Sport at Ashton Gate

Image source, Rex Features

Given the ubiquity of these two teams in the Championship - both are in their 10th consecutive seasons - there is an amusing irony to today's game and what's at stake.

When the fixture computer delivered this contest as a season closer, fans of both clubs would have joked it would be a battle for 13th place.

Instead it's going to be a 90 minutes of huge consequence; a match that could send the visitors down and push the hosts a step closer to the Premier League.

As is the case across most of the country, it's a gloriously sunny day in Bristol and the cider, even at this time, is flowing.

It very much remains on ice in the dressing room, of course, but while a draw or even a defeat may suffice at least the goal is a straightforward one - win; something the Robins have done in six of their past seven home games (five of which have been by a 2-1 scoreline).

There was a group of Preston fans on the train into Temple Meads earlier dressed as Mario, Luigi, Ali G, a hot dog and a giant traffic cone, having left at 5am this morning. They will be hoping their team's approach is a little more serious.

Paul Heckingbottom's side are in a wretched run of form but their last four defeats have all been via, as it goes, a 2-1 deficit, indicating they are a team who can dig in and frustrate and potentially make Ashton Gate a little more nervous and tense than it needs to be.

Image source, Rex Features

As for Preston, they will avoid relegation to League One if they win or if Hull City lose at Portsmouth.

If not the Lilywhites need to match one of either Luton or Hull's results to beat the drop, or better the result of one of Derby or Stoke, who play each other.

Paul Heckingbottom won't be on the touchline after receiving an FA ban on Friday but says it is "pointless" worrying about the prospect of relegation, despite his side have seemingly sleepwalked into this position, taking just two points from seven games since their FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Aston Villa on 30 March and losing their past four games all by a 2-1 scoreline.

North End have taken a single point from six away games since their last win on the road, at Norwich on 11 February, and have won only three of 22 matches on their travels all season.

Like the form, the omens aren't great either, North End have taken just two points from their previous five visits to Ashton Gate and have lost 10 of their past 13 away games on the final day of a season, winning only once and failing to score in eight of them.

It’s the kind of day transistor radios* were invented for.

*If you don't know what one of these is then congratulations, you are young.

Image source, Rex Features

If you’re a fan of guaranteed tension and emotional scenes, then Ashton Gate is the place for you this afternoon.

Two teams who could yet find themselves two divisions apart next season will face-off on the final day, with the three points on offer arguably the most precious in the land this lunchtime.

Bristol City have missed their past two attempts to secure a top-six finish, losing to Luton and Leeds, but would secure fifth place and a play-off spot with a win - anything else and they’d be relying on results elsewhere going their way to extend their season.

They'll hope they won't need to. City have lost only two of their past dozen league games against North End and are unbeaten in the past five encounters with the Lilywhites at Ashton Gate, taking nine points.

The Robins have, however, not enjoyed the best of fortunes in season finales, winning just one of their past nine final day fixtures and earning only five points overall.

Image source, Rex Features

You might think there’s little for Sheffield United to play for in their final match of the regular season.

With their long-time automatic promotion rivals Leeds and Burnley eight points up the road, and fourth-placed Sunderland trailing 13 points back in their rear-view mirrors, the Blades are stuck in third, just waiting for the play-offs.

Today will be a balance between picking up some momentum going into the play-off semi-finals and keeping the frontline players fresh and fit for that very tie.

After the disappointment of missing out on the top two, the Blades recovered to beat Stoke last time out when boss Chris Wilder insisted his players must see out the season at “full tilt”.

They’ll be given a stern test today by a Blackburn side who head to Bramall Lane with their season on the line.

Rovers start the final day in eighth, but within two points off fifth-placed Bristol City.

With Coventry playing Middlesbrough, a draw won't be enough for Blackburn - they need to win to stand a chance of finishing in the top six.

These sides could yet go head to head again in the coming weeks.

Big call before the crucial match against Boro from Coventry boss Frank Lampard, who has chosen to drop keeper Brad Collins after several high-profile blunders during a six-game run in the side.

Ben Wilson has been handed his fourth start of the season and first since 5 October under former boss Mark Robins.

Opposite number Michael Carrick has also shuffled his Boro pack with Brazilian left-back Neto Borges returning after missing five games with an ankle injury.

His return means Samuel Iling-Junior will play further forward with Finn Azaz deployed in a central role with Kelechi Iheanacho dropping to the bench.

Image source, Rex Features

You don’t need a maths GCSE to know five into two doesn’t go.

In the race for the play-offs Coventry are sitting above the dotted line going into the final day, a point behind fifth-placed Bristol City, above seventh-placed Millwall on goal difference, with a one-point gap to Blackburn and a three-point cushion over Middlesbrough, who head to the CBS Arena for what feels like a single-leg play-off quarter-final.

Boro need a win to stand any chance of a top-six finish, though even that would be in vain if Blackburn or Millwall win at Sheffield United or Burnley – unless, that is, the Robins lose at home to Preston, in which case Boro would make it with a victory, so long as Rovers and the Lions don’t both win.

Clear as mud? Good. That’s why Michael Carrick calls this "no ordinary game" and said Boro's form of one win in five goes out the window.

As for the Sky Blues, it's a case of win and in, though a draw would be enough if Millwall and Blackburn both fail to win or if Bristol City lose and one of Millwall or Blackburn fail to win.

Frank Lampard's men have won six of their last seven at home, but are limping towards the finishing line with just seven points from their past seven matches overall and Lampard has urged his player to embrace the occasion of what is effectively a knockout game.

Image source, BBC/Getty Images

Five teams, two places, one dream...

Sheffield United and Sunderland are already confirmed in third and fourth, but who will they visit in the play-off semi-finals later this week? We'll know in a few hours...

Bristol City are in the box seat and can ensure fifth place and a tie against the Black Cats, should the Robins beat lowly Preston at Ashton Gate.

Coventry also have their destiny in their own hands, knowing a win over Middlesbrough would seal a top-six spot and would book a date with the Blades, unless Bristol City fail to win, in which case the Sky Blues would face Sunderland.

Millwall head to title-chasing Burnley with the tall order of needing to better other teams' results to get in while Blackburn could return to the top six for the first time since mid-February if they can better the results of at least two sides above them.

On 5 April, Blackburn were 12th with 52 points and Preston were 14th with 48 - it's not inconceivable the two Lancashire rivals are two divisions apart come August.

Boro's hopes are fainter, needing three points at Coventry and for Millwall and Blackburn to fail to win, unless Bristol City lose, in which case they would make it even if one of the Lions or Rovers are victorious.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport at Home Park

Image source, Rex Features

It may still be a long time before kick-off, but you can already feel the big game atmosphere here at Home Park.

Scores of Leeds fans have descended on Devon with the hope of seeing their side lift the title.

Argyle fans are hoping they can be party poopers - they have an excellent record at home against some decent sides in recent weeks.

While relegation is all-but assured, Plymouth would love to end their difficult season on a high.

Image source, Rex Features

It looks HIGHLY likely that these two teams will be exiting the Championship through different doors at end of today.

Leeds' return to the Premier League was confirmed a couple of weeks ago and the in-form Whites are looking for a win today that would seal the title and see them end the season on 100 points.

Hosts Plymouth are all-but down, and need to hammer Leeds (who haven't lost by more than one goal all season) and hope for very improbable results elsewhere too.

Pilgrims boss Miron Muslic has led his side to four wins in their past six and said in his news conference this week that the club needs to do work off the field in the summer.

"I'm still here without a sporting director, I'm still here without a recruitment department, that makes the job for a head coach very, very difficult," he said.

"That makes success, regardless of the competition, almost impossible."

Image source, Rex Features

Picture the scene. You win promotion back to the Premier League with two games to spare. After 44 games of pure graft, it’s time to ease off a little, right? Wrong.

Not when there’s a title at stake. Five days after clinching their passage to the promised land, alongside Leeds, Burnley piled up their joint-biggest win of the season - a 5-0 demolition of QPR.

The Clarets are level on points with Leeds, but 13 goals off in terms of goal difference, so realistically they will need to better the table-toppers’ result at Plymouth to go up as champions.

Not the most welcome of news for Millwall fans hoping for an easier ride as they bid to nudge into the play-off spots.

An immaculately-timed run of five wins from six has propelled the Lions into seventh place and right into the mix while the teams above have stuttered.

Alex Neil’s side sit level on points with sixth-placed Coventry and are just a point behind Bristol City, in fifth.

A win and a slip from either the Sky Blues or the Robins, and Millwall make the end-of-season shootout.

Image source, BBC/Getty Images

Leeds and Burnley fans have both been in party mode for the past 12 days after their promotions were confirmed with a couple of games to spare.

However, there's still the small matter of the title to decide and both teams showed that they're keen to add a piece of silverware with thumping wins in their most recent games.

Leeds, who smashed Bristol City 4-0 on Monday, hold the aces thanks to their superior goal difference and a win at all-but relegated Plymouth today will see them lift the trophy.

Burnley, 5-0 winners at mid-table QPR last time out, will be hoping for a slip up from the West Yorkshire side as they seek to claim the second tier title for the second time in three seasons.

Here are the full permutations:

• If Leeds and Burnley both win, the Whites will win the title unless Burnley win by 14 goals more than Leeds.
• If Leeds win and Burnley fail to win, the Whites will win the title.
• If Leeds and Burnley both draw, the Whites will win the title.
• If Leeds draw and Burnley win, the Clarets will win the title.
• If Leeds lose and Burnley draw, the Clarets will win the title.

Image source, Getty Images

There are four games in the second tier today with only pride at stake.

More eyes will be on the dugouts at mid-table Norwich v relegated Cardiff than on the action on the pitch as two former Arsenal midfielders meet. Jack Wilshere is looking to earn the permanent position with the Canaries, while Aaron Ramsey has been unable to save the Bluebirds from a dismal relegation to League One.

Sunderland have been preparing for the play-offs for the past six weeks with their fourth-placed finish long since confirmed. Visitors Queens Park Rangers are in a state of chaos after boss Marti Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave this week amid interest in his services from another club.

There was also managerial news at Swansea this week, with caretaker Alan Sheehan being appointed on a three-year deal after a strong run of results. He'll look to continue that today against an Oxford side who secured their place in this division for next season with a win over Sunderland last week.

Finally, Watford, 13th in the table, host Sheffield Wednesday, 12th in table in the most mid-table of mid-table affairs. Again, the interest in this one is likely to be the two people on the sidelines. Tom Cleverley's first full season as Hornets boss has had its moments but four successive defeats mean there's talk it might be a last season too. Owls gaffer Danny Rohl is highly-rated and with protests from fans ongoing against owner Dejphon Chansiri there's a chance this could be the German's farewell game.

Image source, Rex Features

We'll obviously talk you through which teams need what today as we approach kick-off.

However, if you just can't wait that long and want a one-stop shop of what's what in the Championship then don't worry, we've go you covered.

Click here to read a comprehensive breakdown of the situation at the bottom plus the race for the play-offs and the title.

Image source, Rex Features

• Bristol City (5th) v Preston North End (20th)
• Burnley (2nd) v Millwall (7th)
• Coventry City (6th) v Middlesbrough (9th)
• Derby County (19th) v Stoke City (18th)
• Norwich City (14th) v Cardiff City (24th)
• Plymouth Argyle (23rd) v Leeds United (1st)
• Portsmouth (16th) v Hull City (22nd)
• Sheffield United (3rd) v Blackburn Rovers (8th)
• Sunderland (4th) v QPR (15th)
• Swansea City (11th) v Oxford United (17th)
• Watford (13th) v Sheffield Wednesday (12th)
• West Bromwich Albion (10th) v Luton Town (21st)

Image source, Rex Features

Good morning... big day, this, how did you sleep?

Probably better than the Leeds fans departing for Plymouth, the Millwall supporters on the road to Burnley and the Hull faithful bound for Portsmouth in the early hours of this morning, fuelled by caffeine, passion and a dream.

After 267 days and 540 matches, we have 90 minutes left of the Championship season, and for a hosts of clubs, it has all come down to this.

The fight for survival, the title chase and the race to keep Premier League dreams alive via the play-offs will all be done and dusted by about 14:30.

Buckle up, we're in for a rollercoaster of emotion this afternoon, but, as with all good rollercoasters, first let's get you up to speed...