they are a massive 25/1 to gain promotion, but is the dream on the verge of becoming reality for southampton's fans?

Easter weekend found a few casualties, and a few winners, but not as many as we usually find on the biggest weekend for domestic football of the year.

Championship

Newcastle were confirmed as promoted to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but West Brom failed to join them after they only managed to scrape a last-second draw at lowly Watford.

No one is yet guaranteed of a play-off place, but Nottingham Forest need just one more win to secure a post season appearance after a point at home in a bore draw with fellow play-off side Cardiff. They should achieve that next time around against Ipswich on saturday. Cardiff may have to wait two weeks and a trip to Shepherds Bush to play QPR.

That point for the Hornets made the bottom of the table more interesting. My spies in Sheffield hold little hope for Wednesday and, after watching them in a fortunate draw at Loftus Road last weekend, I tend to agree. A Sheffield derby sandwiched between trips away to Middlesbrough and cardiff and a final day match-off with Crystal Palace make the 6/4 more than just a tempting morsel.

Peterborough are already down, and the 1/14 for Plymouth to join them is indicative of their chances, too.

League One

The League One picture is no less clear with six games to play. Norwich will be crowned champions by the home fixture against Gillingham on the 24 April, and it is no surprise to see the spread firms putting them ten points clear of the chasing pack on 95-96 point to 85-86.

The second place is less clear, but while Millwall and Swindon are neck and neck at 11/10 to be promoted, the better bet is on Millwall who have a slightly easier run, a better goal difference and – despite being a goal behind – are at home when the two teams face each other on the last game of the season.

Of the rest, there is little appeal other than Southampton who are still capable of garnering 78 points, which may be enough if Huddersfield fail to win both Oldham (tonight) and Brentford on Saturday. They are a massive 25/1 on Betfair which will come in rapidly if results go their way in the next seven days. Bear in mind, they have a game in hand and vastly superior goal difference. They have only twice this year (15 matches).

At the bottom, the 4.42 on Oldham to be relegated looks decent as they face five top teams out of seven in the run-in.

League Two

The League Two comes down to one game – on Tuesday April 20 – when leaders Rochdale have to travel to second-placed Notts County who are now just five points behind them with a game in hand. It essentially means that County, the form team in the league, hold the title in their hands, which makes the 7/4 on them to win the title incredibly tempting.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth are six points clear of the chasing pack, but there are chances for those behind them to nick their third spot as they face Chesterfield on the last game of the season and the Spireites have an easier run-in. Rotherham and Aldershot also have chances to overtake, so layers will be interested in the 4/11 and lowe they are being offered for promotion. The 4/1 on Chesterfield to be promoted is also tempting.

At the bottom we can pretty much say goodbye to Darlington and Grimsby, who are both a long way off salvation.

Footbet’s selections

Championship: 3pts Sheffield Wednesday to be relegated at 6/4
League One: 2pts Millwall to be promoted at 11/10
League One: 1pt Southampton to be promoted at 25/1
League One: 1pt Oldham to be relegated at 4.42
League Two: 4pts Notts County to be champions at 7/4
League Two: 2pts Lay Bournemouth to be promoted at 4/11
League Two: 2pts Chesterfield to be promoted at 4/1