English Football League play-off picture: Irish eyeing promotion

A dramatic final round of the Football League campaign has set up a series of intriguing play-off ties as the remaining promotion contenders gear up for one last push.

Several Irish players are involved in the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two games as the semi-final first legs loom this weekend.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunderland v Luton, Saturday 5.30pm

Sunderland went into their final-day trip to Preston last Monday knowing even victory might not be enough to edge them into the play-offs, but a 3-0 victory, coupled with Millwall's remarkable capitulation at home to Blackburn, saw them snatch sixth place to keep alive their unlikely hopes of back-to-back promotions.

Under Tony Mowbray, who replaced Alex Neil at the helm in August, they are unbeaten in nine and finished the regular season – during which star striker Ross Stewart was largely absent and they were without a recognised central defender – strongly to give themselves a chance to exorcise the ghost of successive relegations from the Premier League to League One.

Luton, who have not played in the top flight since 1992, were already assured of third place and their play-off berth before Monday’s 0-0 home draw with Hull, which extended their unbeaten run to 14 games. Republic of Ireland U21 midfielder Louie Watson played the full 90 minutes in his first appearance since January.

Rob Edwards’ men, who boast Wearsider Mick Harford among their backroom staff, have lost only once in the league since 14 January 14 and climbed from 10th place into the top three after the former Watford manager’s appointment as Nathan Jones’ replacement in November.

Coventry v Middlesbrough, Sunday 12pm

When Mark Robins accepted the hot seat at Coventry in March 2017, the club was