There are still several games remaining for all 20 clubs in this year’s English Premier League (although Chelsea can clinch the title if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday), but for 24 teams in the second tier, the Football League Championship, the 46th and final matchday is on Saturday. For those unfamiliar with the Championship’s setup, the top two teams automatically gain promotion to the EPL, while the third- through sixth-place teams are put into a four-team playoff, with the winner also headed to the top flight.

This year, one of the automatic promotion spots has already been clinched by Watford, who will make a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2006-07. As for the second automatic slot, it’s Bournemouth’s to lose, as they hold a three-point lead over Middlesbrough. For Boro to finish second, they’d need to win against Brighton, hope for a Charlton win over Bournemouth, and hope that the results erase the gap in goal difference, the first tiebreaker when two teams are level on points (Bournemouth is +50 through 45 games, Middlesbrough +31). With both sides’ opponents safe from relegation danger, there is a slight possibility that three points will not be the first priority for either Charlton or Brighton; if that is the case, Bournemouth would benefit from that approach, while Boro will have to hope for success in the playoff.

As for the playoff spots, two have been occupied, by Norwich City and Bournemouth/Middlesbrough. Ipswich Town and Derby County sit fifth and sixth, but both could potentially be overtaken by Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers based on Saturday’s results. The good news for the Tractor Boys and Rams is that both only need a draw to solidify a playoff spot; Ipswich would move beyond the reach of either Brentford or Wolves, while Derby has a goal difference advantage in the same manner as Bournemouth. There are many storylines that depend on how Saturday’s matches go; Derby, for example, made the playoff final a year ago, only to lose in the 90th minute to Queens Park Rangers. Brentford are seeking consecutive seasons of promotion, having played in League One – the third tier – last season. Wolverhampton have not played in the same tier in consecutive seasons since they were in the Premier League; they were relegated from the top flight in 2012, then sent to League One in 2013, only to return to the Championship in 2014. One, perhaps two, of those clubs will have a chance to continue adding to that narrative in 2015.

As in the Premier League, the bottom three in the Championship are relegated to the next tier down; Millwall, Wigan Athletic, and Blackpool are all headed to League One for 2015-16. With the other clubs safe from going down a division, how will that impact their approach to their respective games on Saturday?

All 12 fixtures will kick off at 12:15 local time (7:15 AM on the East Coast) in the same format used by the Premier League on its final day. It allows for maximum drama most of the time, and fans, particularly those who support a club in the promotion hunt, should be treated to an exciting two hours.