Can Derby Reach the EPL? Football League Playoffs Time!

Who will play Crystal Palace's role this year?

The Football League regular season is over now with relegation and automatic promotion all sorted and most clubs shut for the summer, hanging up their boots after a long, hard season.

For some club, this is when the business end of the season really starts as they embark on the playoffs - their one final crack at promotion to a higher tier.

In League One, Peterborough will host Leyton Orient and Preston will host Rotherham on Saturday afternoon, while in League Two, York City host Fleetwood Town on Saturday night and Burton Albion host Southend United on Sunday afternoon. The League One fixtures are reversed in midweek, while the League Two fixtures are reversed on Friday and Saturday.

However, it is the Championship playoffs that get the most attention given that the prize is promotion to the rich and getting richer Premier League but there is just as much drama in the lower divisions.

Brighton versus Derby County kick the playoff season on Thursday night, while last season's Premier League sides, Wigan host Queens Park Rangers on Friday night. The fixtures are reversed on Sunday and Monday nights.

Wigan's tie with QPR has the most intrigue - as mentioned earlier both were in the Premier League the previous season, and as expected both have been right in the mix for promotion. Wigan have recovered from their European commitments, long FA Cup run, and a change in manager from Owen Coyle to Uwe Rosler in mid-season to book their place in the playoffs with a round to spare, while QPR might have expected to be in the top two places this season.

But Harry Redknapp's side perhaps have flattered to deceive at times, particularly away from home, despite the talent in their side and Wigan will be a tough place to start for QPR. A draw there could be a good result for 'Arry's men to take to Loftus Road but Wigan have been fairly good away from home.

The other tie sees two sides who people might not have tipped at the start of the season to be there.

Derby County have been the real surprise package of the season even though they did have former Middlesbrough, Twente, Wolfsburg and England manager, Steve McClaren at the helm from the start of the season after sacking long time manager, Nigel Clough. Scotland international midfielder, Craig Bryson has been at the heart of the Rams' transformation from midtable irrelevance to promotion material and the fact that they finished so far ahead of QPR, Wigan and Brighton on the table should make them favourites.

A tag they probably don't want and one that might suit Brighton who have had an up and down season but managed to sneak into the playoffs at last - a surprise for new manager, Oscar Garcia, whom most weren't expecting from after Gus Poyet left in mysterious circumstances having nearly guided Brighton into the playoffs. It is good to see Brighton doing well with their swanky new state-of-the-art stadium and Premier League football would be a real bonus for the Seagulls.

My tip for the playoffs -
Derby County to face QPR at Wembley for a Premier League spot with Derby County promoted.
Preston and Fleetwood Town to earn promotion.