Championship play-off permutations favour Derby and Ipswich

Things could not be simpler for McCarthy and Ipswich; at least draw at Ewood Park (11/5) and they are guaranteed a play-off place.

Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes has a superb scoring record of three in four against the Tractor Boys, however, and could haunt his former club here at 6/4 anytime, and 11/2 to grab the opener.

McCarthy is rightly wary of this opposition and of playing for a share of the spoils. “They want to send their fans home happy and they’re not going to lay down and die for us,” he told local radio.

“If you aim for a point, you might not get anything. If you aim for all three, you might get a point.”

With Ipswich enjoying a four-point advantage over Brentford, they are strongly odds-on at 1/10 to keep their top six spot, and 9/2 to go up.

The only way the East Anglia outfit can miss out on the play-offs is if they lose to Rovers, and Derby and Brentford both win with that aforementioned three-goal swing taking place, or a seven-goal swing with Wolves mauling already relegated Millwall. Such permutations all coming off are highly unlikely.

Steve McClaren’s Rams also have their destiny in their own hands; defeat the Royals (2/5) and they get another crack at the play-offs.

A draw (10/3) would also almost certainly be enough for County to make the top six, even if both Brentford and Wolves win because Derby are 16 and 20 goals better off than them respectively if it comes down to goal difference.

In Chris Martin, Darren Bent and Championship Player of the Month for April, Tom Ince (5/4 to add to five in six last month anytime), there is an attacking ensemble at Pride Park more than capable of getting the Rams into the Premier League at 7/2, and it’s 1/12 for them to take part in the play-offs.

Long odds of 66/1 for promotion and 20/1 to make the top six suggest Wolves have left themselves with too much to do, but there is still a very slim chance Kenny Jackett can make the play-offs.

It will require his current charges to crush former club Millwall (4/11), Brentford to avoid victory in all likelihood, and both Derby and Ipswich to endure defeat. A 20-goal swing is not realistic on the former, but a turnaround of seven on the latter remains possible.

Bakary Sako (7/4 to net anytime) will once again have to play a starring role at Molineux, though he is backed up by winter window addition Benik Afobe in Wolvesæ ranks.