I'm convinced the team that wins the play-offs is the team who see off Forest. We and Forest are guaranteed 4th and 3rd respectively, whereas Leicester are only guaranteed to finish 5th or 6th. Blackpool will be 6th if they win on Sunday, Swansea will get it if they win and Blackpool don't win.
My ideal scenario is Forest v Blackpool, with Blackpool sneaking it at home. Forest are likely to stomp on them at the City Ground, so Bloomfield Road will be decisive even though it'll be the first leg. I'm happy enough we can beat Leicester over two legs, home leg second. As DJ says, it's not about playing home/away that wins through, it's the team going into the games in form. That's us, regardless of Sunday's result at Derby where most of the first team will be rested. Do Derby have anything to play for? Nothing that stops it being a good run-out for our fringe players and those returning from injury like Hudson and Ledley. Blackpool and Leicester are on good runs though - Forest are weakest but only because of their away form in the last couple of months.
It's really too tight, but realistically I can see Cardiff v Forest at Wembley where
anything could happen. Forest/Foxes is possible but hopefully it won't happen. If I'm losing, I'm losing at Wembley, not the Walkers! Rest assured though, Cardiff, Blackpool or Leicester will be going straight back down. We in particular have no money to buy anyone except the most bog-standard Stoke cast-off
Still, one season in the PL is enough these days isn't it? TV money, parachute money... With solid foundations and sensible spending, it's perfectly possible to become a yo-yo club like WBA. I'd be perfectly happy with that, but let's see what May brings...
ETA you'll note I'm dismissing Swansea before it's settled - I
really don't want to play them again this year, especially not at Wembley? Can you
imagine losing the play-off final to your most-hated rivals?!