Southampton and Ipswich face automatic promotion showdown

Southampton and Ipswich face automatic promotion showdownImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Southampton and Ipswich Town are bidding to make an instant return to the Premier LeagueByAlex HoadBBC Sport EnglandPublished33 minutes ago3 CommentsTuesday could be the defining day in the race for promotion to the Premier League.Coventry City may have sealed the title to end a 25-year stay in the EFL, but it is two teams who competed in the top flight last season who come head-to-head to decide which one might return there at the first time of asking via automatic promotion.Depending on the outcome of this showdown, at least one, if not both, of Southampton and Ipswich will have to recalculate their route back to the top table of English football via the play-offs.With Millwall and Middlesbrough still firmly in the race, all eyes will be on St Mary's to discover just what is at stake going into the season finale on Saturday.Image source, Opta/ShutterstockImage caption, How the Championship table stands going into Tuesday evening's matchWhat's at stake?Everything.After seeing a late lead in their FA Cup semi-final against Man City wiped out in the closing stages at Wembley on Saturday, Saints will turn their attention back to the fight for automatic promotion.Tonda Eckert's side are fifth, four points behind Ipswich, who lie ahead of third-placed Millwall on goal difference, with Middlesbrough a point back in fourth.Saints are unbeaten in 17 league games but must win on Tuesday to keep their hopes of a second-placed finish alive.Following Saturday's goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion, a win for Ipswich would all but secure promotion, no matter what happens on the final day, given their huge goal difference (+30) advantage over Millwall (+13)."You encourage the players to stay away from the external noise and just focus on the opponent [but] they are human beings, it's impossible to block everything out," said Ipswich boss Kier...