A look at the final games of the four teams in the Championship relegation fight.
READING, 21ST, 33 POINTS, GOAL DIFFERENCE: -29
Remaining games: Barnsley A; Stoke H, Cardiff H, Sheffield United A; Swansea H; Hull A; West Brom H; Luton A.
Barnsley’s derby loss on Saturday turned from a dent to disaster when fourth-bottom Reading beat their manager Paul Ince’s former club Blackburn Rovers 1-0 later that day.
That increased the gap between the sides to five points despite the Royals’ six-point deduction.
They will turn up at Barnsley next week having won just three of the last 16 games, losing 11.
After the trip to Oakwell, the majority of their games are against sides with nothing to play for in terms of relegation or promotion worries.
BARNSLEY, 22ND, 28 POINTS, GOAL DIFFERENCE: -26
Remaining games: Reading H, April 2; Millwall A, April 9; Swansea A, April 15; Peterborough H, April 18; Huddersfield, A, April 23; Blackpool, H, April 26; Preston, H, April 30; West Brom, A, May 7.
Barnsley's run-in is fairly kind as they host two of their fellow strugglers in their next two home matches while most of the rest are against sides likely to have nothing to play for.
The Reds may need five wins from their last eight games, unless Reading have a poor end to the season.
Beating the Royals in the next game is a must, as is a win over Peterborough in the following home match.
Poya Asbaghi's side are likely to have to win at least one of their remaining away games – as many as they have managed all season – while continuing strong home form which sees them unbeaten in five at Oakwell with three wins.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED, 23RD, 26 PTS, GOAL DIFFERENCE: -44
Remaining games: Middlesbrough H; Luton H; Bristol City A; Blackburn H; Barnsley A; Nottingham Forest H; Millwall A; Blackpool H.
Before their 3-1 success at QPR on Sunday, Posh had not won in the league since December 11, with four points from 15 games.
They probably have the hardest of the bottom four’s run-ins, as most of their matches are against sides in the promotion hunt.
Grant McCann’s side visit Barnsley on Easter Monday in what is likely to be a huge game for both sides.
DERBY COUNTY, 24TH, 25 POINTS, GOAL DIFFERENCE: -7
Remaining games: Preston H; Swansea A; Fulham H; QPR A; Bristol City H; Blackpool A; Cardiff H.
The Rams have just seven games left so are in real danger of running out of time.
The maximum amount of points they can collect is 46 which may not be enough if Reading have a very strong end to the season.
But, should they get the vast majority of those points and the Royals stutter, they could still be in contention towards the end.
They would be 17th if they had not been deducted 21 points.
They have not built on the win over Barnsley at the start of this month, collecting just a point from the three fixtures since. That victory was their only win in the last seven games.
Wayne Rooney’s side have a relatively easy run-in, mainly against mid-table sides.
