Preview: Championship playoff semi-finals

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 06 May 2014

Sports Mole runs the rule over this weekend's Championship playoff semi-finals.

After an exhausting 46-game season, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Brighton & Hove Albion will fight it out to secure the final promotion place to the Premier League, starting with this weekend's Championship playoff semi-finals.

Derby and QPR have been in the top six for most of the season, but Wigan's and Brighton's places in the end-of-season showpiece wasn't confirmed until the final week of the season.

Brighton secured their spot in spectacular fashion by scoring a last-minute winner against Nottingham Forest on the last day to sneak in ahead of Reading, who could only draw 2-2 with Burnley.

Here, Sports Mole previews the upcoming two-legged semi-finals, with the winners facing off in the final at Wembley on Saturday, May 24.

(3) Derby vs. Brighton (6)

Brighton's Leonardo Ulloa heads in the opening goal against Derby on August 10, 2013 © Getty Images

When?

First leg - Brighton vs. Derby, Thursday 7.45pm

Second leg - Derby vs. Brighton, Sunday 5.15pm

Form going into the playoffs

Derby: DWWWWW

Brighton: WWDDWW

H2H this season

Derby won both games between the two sides this season. They first met on the second weekend of the season when Leonardo Ulloa opened his account to put the Seagulls ahead.

That was the only goal Oscar Garcia's side would score against the Rams this season, as Chris Martin struck a double to turn around the game at the Amex before Steve McClaren's men won 1-0 at the iPro Stadium in January.

Two key men

Derby's Craig Bryson celebrates after scoring his third goal against Nottingham Forest during the Championship match on March 22, 2014

For Brighton, they will look to Leonardo Ulloa, above, for goals. The Argentine has already scored against the Rams this season and also netted the memorable last-gasp winner against Forest.

Derby will hope that midfielder Craig Bryson continues his fine goalscoring form - the Scot netted 16 times from midfield this season.

Sports Mole says: Derby by two or three goals

(4) QPR vs. Wigan (5)

Ravel Morrison of Queens Park Rangers shoots at goal against Wigan Athletic during the Sky Bet Championship match at Loftus Road on March 25, 2014 © Getty Images

When?

First leg - Wigan vs. QPR, Friday 7.45pm

Second leg - QPR vs. Wigan, Monday 7.45pm

Form going into the playoffs

Derby: DWWWWW

Brighton: WWDDWW

H2H this season

There was just one goal in the two games between the R's and the Latics this season. It was scored by Yossi Benayoun, who was later sent off in the second fixture at Loftus Road, after the first meeting in October ended goalless.

Both sides are looking for an instant return to the top flight after last year's relegation, with both meetings last season also finishing as draws.

Two key men

Wigan's Jordi Gomez scores the opening goal via the penalty spot against Manchester City during their FA Cup quarter-final match on March 9, 2014

QPR's shining light in the second half of the season has been Ravel Morrison, above. The West Ham United loanee has scored six goals in 15 appearances since his move across London and provides flair in Harry Redknapp's solid lineup.

Uwe Rosler has rotated his lineup plenty of times this season because of the club's European duties and a deep run in the FA Cup. Multiple changes are less likely in the playoffs and one name surely on the teamsheet will be Jordi Gomez, who has a habit of scoring big goals and is reliable from the spot should penalties be needed.

Sports Mole says: Wigan in a tight affair that could very well go all the way to penalties

SM's pick for promotion: Wigan. Even though the two sides with the best form contest the Derby-Brighton semi, the winner of the QPR-Wigan tie will have plenty more big-game experience and that could be enough to win at Wembley.

You'll be able to follow live text coverage of every single game here on Sports Mole over the course of the weekend.