Paullow

They have some tough remaining games, but Middlesbrough could make a late push for the playoffs if they win tonight. SkyBet had them 250/1 last night to 'win the playoffs', but then only 150/1 'to be promoted', which was a bit baffling, so I did put £3 on the former. If they got to Wembley, I'd definitely want them promoted, unlike last year when I had a similar type of bet on Sunderland.

Sky have the least interesting match in Swansea vs Stoke on their main channel which is so much better than the red button coverage. Stoke still down towards the bottom end, but you can get 16/1 on them going down, so not likely, and Swansea's season is effectively over.

Good, gritty point for them at Elland Road tonight. Leeds should have had a clear pen in the 2nd half, but I'm quite happy Sunderland got something as I really want Ipswich up. It was obviously 99.99999999% that they wouldn't finish top 6, but it's mathematically confirmed now, so it will be an 8th season outside of the top flight for them next season, which I think might be a record for them.

Spennymoor's match tonight was postponed and rescheduled for Thursday night, which isn't ideal for their big, potential 6 pointer with Alfreton at 3pm on Saturday. Rushall won, but Farsley lost, so if Darlington can beat the latter at home on Saturday, they will be safe. That's probably Blyth's best hope for survival too, Farsley losing their last two matches and Blyth kind of staying up by default as I think they will struggle for another point themselves with them having to play 2nd and 3rd, and both have something still to play for.

Feels like I made the wrong choice watching this Leeds-Sunderland match over either CL match.

Haha, Bet365 thought that Summerville free kick was in. Flashed up goal, even though ti was about half a yard wide, but hit the side netting.

Can't remember the last time I wouldn't want Sunderland not to lose, but I hope they can get so.ethimg tonight. A draw would be nice.

I don't think PP have updated their odds, as theirs (and Betfair, same company, so same odds) are all a long way apart to the rest when comparing odds for us, Chelsea and West Ham: PP are the 3rd odds and Betfair are the 6th. I don't think we will finish 6th, but I did put a few quid on us at PP, just because it's so out with all the rest, so looks a lot more value, even though I personally think between 3 and 4/1 would look more appropriate, but pretty much everywhere have Chelsea 9/2 after dropping those Sheff U points, yet 11/5 is a hell of a difference at PP.

A draw is probably the perfect result for me. We are still within one game of Man Utd, and the title no longer in Liverpool's hands. This is probably their hardest remaining match, so if they came through it, they would be fairly clear faves for the title IMO.

Good lad. Definitely not the player he was, although he did miss a lot of pens even at his best.

Don't trust Salah.

Forest and Burnley both won, so as you were at the top. Both play on Thursday. If Burnley lose and Forest don't win (both unlikely) then they title will be secure, but if neither of those happen then Newcastle can secure the title on Sunday with a win at home to Huddersfield.

Betvictor have us and Chelsea the same odds for a top 6 finish: West Ham do have Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City (final day, so may or may not be quite as daunting) to play in their final 7 games, plus two tough matches to come in Europe, but 11/4 to 25/1 seems far too big IMO.

In the National League North: Shields (S) won 7-0 to move into 5th Spennymoor just drew 1-1, could be an important point, but the playoffs are not in their hands Darlington had a huge 2-0 win, and their position suddenly looks a lot better (in terms of staying up) But Blyth lost 1-2 at home, and it's looking pretty grim for them judging by their last 2 fixtures. Got to be the favourites to go down now, unfortunately

Bet365 hadn't confirmed the new updated odds, so I had a suspicion it would be checked (without seeing it).

Looking forward to Norwich vs Ipswich at 12.30. A huge match for both and possibly a dress rehearsal for a playoff semi final, and so many other teams fans will be watching on with interest. Their run in is tough, but a half decent chance for Boro to sneak onto the playoffs if Norwich don't win.

How does promotion work in that league, is it just one up, and will get passed down if those at the top can't make it? Would have been cool for Wallington (from my perspective with there being very few teams who would get covered by a Hexham paper) to have gone up, but it's out in the sticks and it's kind of more like a Sunday league ground.

U N I T E D, United are...

2 matches in the league this evening, both currently 8-0 in the 80th odd minute. Wolves away at Stourbridge, Burnley at home to bottom club Flyde - the latter result helps keep the Newcastle-Huddersfield match live a week on Sunday. Forest and Burnley still have 2 games before we play - Forest need to win both (they play Stourbridge and 2nd bottom Huddersfield), Burnley need at least 4 points (one is against Huddersfield), if neither of those happen, then the title will be sewn up before kick off. Burnley won 9-0 to move into second.

FFS man. More points thrown away out of nowhere.

They are still favourites for the title, are possibly in the best position with their game in hand, and do look like they have the best run in, but they are making it so hard for themselves. Not sure what position of the below 3 tables is best, but they have been in fantastic positions throughout the season. 17 points clear of Leeds on NYD, and now they are behind. Crazy. 28/10/23 1/1/24 13/2/24

Aye, Home Park was a bit of a fortress earlier in the season, but they've lost their last 5 there, all without scoring, and drew the match before that. The manager who replaced Schumacher in January looks set to be sacked already. Massive match for them on Friday on Sky vs Rotherham, probably doomed if they don't win that. Bookies think 2 from 4 (SW, Hudd, Ply, Brum).

Fair play, great strike from there. 3-1 Leeds.

Looking like a fantastic set of results for Middlesbrough today with them winning and Norwich, Preston, Coventry, and seemingly Hull all losing. It will still be tough for them to make the top 6, but their season is at least still alive.

Some games will look different the more the seasons pan out, so you can't really tell - like Southampton would have looked tough fixtures for Leeds and Leicester a few days ago, but now might be a relatively nice fixture, but on paper, I think Leicester have the kindest run in, then Leeds, then Ipswich. Ipswich have some really tough looking matches in their final 6.