All the final day of the season scenarios that will decide Luton’s fate in race for the play-offs

The Hatters were thrashed 7-0 at Fulham last night as the Cottagers clinched the Championship title in ruthless fashion – but it still leaves Luton’s play-off fate in their own hands. 

Town dropped to sixth in the league, saw their goal difference slashed in half and rendered irrelevant, while suffering yet more injury problems (Allan Campbell and Fred Onyedinma) to an already stricken squad – but it’s not all doom and gloom (promise) ahead of final game of the season on Saturday, at home to Reading.

The key fixtures are: 

With Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest guaranteed a place in the play-offs at worst (Forest can still go up automatically), there are effectively four clubs vying for the remaining two play-offs places: Luton, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Millwall. The matches to keep an eye on this Saturday are:

Luton v Reading

Sheffield United v Fulham 

Preston North End v Middlesbrough

Bournemouth v Millwall

Here’s what will happen if…. 

Luton win

Luton WILL book a place in the Championship play-offs.

The Royals are safe from relegation and sit one place above the drop zone, which they’ve avoided by virtue of Derby’s points deduction at the start of the season.

The Rams’ relegation last week has left Reading safe with little to play for but pride. They have struggled all season and only won once in their last five games. Town also beat the Berkshire club 2-0 on their own patch back in January.

Luton draw

If Middlesbrough (7th) drop points then Luton will finish in the top six.

If Middlesbrough win and Sheffield United (5th) win, Town will miss out on the play-offs on goal difference.

If Middlesbrough win, but Sheffield United lose, Luton will make the play-offs.

Luton lose

The Hatters can only qualify for the play-offs if both Middlesbrough and Millwall drop points.