Explained: The exact results needed for West Brom to snatch play-off spot from Sunderland and Millwall

West Bromwich Albion have left it mightily late but there is still a slim chance of snatching a Championship play-off spot. Following a dramatic 2-1 home win over Norwich City on Saturday afternoon, the Baggies are still within a shout but results elsewhere must go their way on the final day.

As it stands, eighth-placed Albion (66) are two points shy of Millwall (68) in sixth and three behind Coventry City (69) in fifth, whereas Sunderland (66) sit in the mix in seventh, above West Brom by a three goal difference. Blackburn Rovers (66) aren’t out of the fight either, as they sit in ninth.

Albion face a trip to Wales for their last game of the season as they take on Swansea City on Monday, May 8. It won’t be an easy clash as the Swans are unbeaten in their last eight, with six wins in that period. Carlos Corberan’s men have also struggled on the road this campaign.

With all the facts laid out to provide all the required context, here are the exact ways in which West Brom can beat those in and around them to secure a Championship play-off spot.

Can West Brom draw or must they win?

Put quite simply, Albion must beat Swansea if they are to finish in the top six. Drawing the game wouldn’t be enough as the gap to Millwall in sixth stands at two points, with just this one fixture remaining.

Luton Town and Middlesbrough have already secured their third and fourth spots, so just two places are up for grabs.

What results are needed in the other fixtures?

Preston North End v Sunderland: If the away side can manage a win under pressure at Deepdale, it makes it very tough for West Brom. Even if Albion were to win, the Black Cats also winning cements their spot due to a three superior goal difference. That is, of course, unless the Baggies thrash Swansea to create a huge swing in goal difference.

A draw or defeat for Sunderland would mean Albion can get ahead as long as they win themselves. Of course, results elsewhere will still have to go West Brom’s way, but Tony Mowbray’s side dropping points at Preston makes things a lot simpler.

Millwall v Blackburn Rovers: An away win here would be ideal as Blackburn (-3) have a 10 worse goal difference than West Brom (+7) and therefore cannot catch up if Albion beat Swansea.

If Millwall were to win, the only hope of Albion finishing in the top six would be Coventry losing, as well as a big goal difference swing.

If Millwall and Blackburn draw, Albion would need to beat Swansea by two goals or more to leapfrog Millwall - due to a one-goal difference heading into the final day.

Middlesbrough v Coventry City: Albion are relying on Coventry dropping points in this one as even a draw would secure a play-off spot for the Sky Blues.

Coventry winning or even drawing would mean finishing sixth would the only remaining possible route for West Brom due to a three-point gap at current.

Even if Coventry (+12) were to lose, Albion (+7) still need it to be by a considerable margin due to goal difference.

A six-goal swing is needed, so Coventry losing 3-0 and Albion winning 3-0 would be enough. As would Coventry losing 2-0 and Albion winning 4-0, or Coventry losing 1-0 and Albion winning 5-0 – and so on and so forth.

Hopefully that clears things up

Well, that’s given us a bit of a headache here at Birmingham World, but you now get the gist, we hope. Lots needs to happen for West Brom to finish in the top six but it certainly isn’t impossible. This will be a dramatic final day.