All things majorly significant have been settled in the Premier League this season, but the race to get into English soccer’s top flight is about to take a dramatic turn.

Indeed, the Championship playoffs are so often the most entertaining games of the campaign and the four clubs involved begin this mini-tournament this weekend, seeking to join Burnley and Middlesbrough in the big time. In Spain, there are also key games in the race to win the title and stay afloat on the final day.

Elsewhere, in Major League Soccer, the top two sides in the Eastern conference will square off in what should be a fascinating game.

All kick-offs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!

 

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Friday, May 13, 2:45PM, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV and SlingTV

After missing out on automatic promotion in a final day showdown with Middlesbrough, Brighton need to raise themselves for what’ll be a tough test at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday.

Two draws in their final two games consigned Brighton to the playoffs and so often a side who just misses out on promotion via the top two finds it tough to go again in the post-season tussles. Chris Hughton will have a big job geeing his team up for this one, although a positive result could potentially inject a new lease of life back into the Seagulls.

Wednesday have had a very good season, though, and the club’s supporters will pack out the stadium for what is one of the biggest matches in the Owls’ recent history. Carlos Carvalhal has done a wonderful job this term and will be able to recall key men Ross Wallace and Atdhe Nuhiu for this one.

Brighton were the joint top-scorers in the division over 46 games and will be confident of breaching a Wednesday defense which has looked brittle at times; they’re also unbeaten in their last 14. The Owls, who have won just one of their last six, will need to up their game on the night if they’re to take a lead back to the south coast for the second leg.

 

Derby County vs Hull City

Saturday, May 14, 7:30AM, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV and SlingTV

The other semi-final will see two teams who have flirted with the automatic spots throughout the course of the campaign, as Derby County host Hull City.

Steve Bruce’s side were actually top of the table not too long ago and were playing the kind of functional soccer which seemed set to yield an inevitable promotion. But the Tigers have tailed off gradually as the campaign rumbled on, only really coming to life again slightly with the season coming to an end. Bruce will be hoping his players are peaking at the right time.

After missing out on the playoffs in almost comical fashion last season, the Derby supporters will be delighted to see their team involved. And after being one of the big favorites to go up for the past few years, perhaps going under the radar will suit them here. Darren Wassall will want to see his core experienced players stand up and be counted in this one.

Hull, having been in the top flight last season and finishing slightly higher in the table, will be slender favorites for the tie. But if Derby can feed off what should be an electric Pride Park atmosphere, they have the quality to beat any side in the division.

 

Granada vs. Barcelona

Saturday, May 14, 11:00AM, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV and SlingTV

The race for La Liga’s top spot has come down to the final weekend and Barcelona can secure the prize with a win at Granada on Saturday.

After Atletico Madrid lost to Levante last weekend, there are now only two sides who can be crowned champions. The other is Real Madrid, who travel to Deportivo la Coruna, who will take the crown should Barcelona slip up and they win. The Blaugrana are a point ahead going into the final game with a superior head-to-head record.

Granada could have been fighting for their top flight status had they lost to Sevilla last weekend. But Jose Lopez’s side, as they’ve done so often down the years, turned in an excellent performance in Andalusia, winning by an emphatic 4-1 scoreline. It means the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium can relax when the league leaders come to town.

It remains to be seen just how that’ll influence Granada; they could be on the beach or they could play with the freedom of a team who are under no pressure. Either way, Barcelona need to turn up and if they’re switched on, as they have been for the last four games, then the title will end up back in Catalonia.

 

Montreal Impact vs. Philadelphia Union

Saturday, May 14, 5:00PM, MLS Live, TSN4, RDS and Comcast Network

It’s been a tremendous start to the Major League Soccer season for both Montreal Impact and Philadelphia Union, making Saturday’s clash one not to be missed at the Montreal Olympic Stadium.

Montreal may be top of the pile, but it’s imperative they get back to winning ways soon. The Impact have tailed off in recent weeks after a strong start, with three draws and one defeat in their last four. If they lose to Philadelphia here, who are one point behind with a game in hand, then they’d suddenly be looking over their shoulder.

Despite having to make the long trip north, Union could well be narrow favorites for this clash. They’ve also been draw specialists as of late, with their last two matches finishing tied up. However, they’ve notched impressive wins over Orlando City and New York City over the past few weeks and will be confident of taking three points against the vulnerable leaders.

The obvious danger man for the home side will be 38-year-old Didier Drogba, who has three assists and two goals in his last three matches. Provided Philadelphia can keep a handle on him, they have the class going forward in players like Chris Pontius and C.J. Sapong to get on the scoresheet.

 

Sporting Gijon vs. Villarreal

Sunday, May 15, 1:30PM, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV and SlingTV

After letting a lead slip late on against Getafe last weekend, Sporting Gijon will know their fate is out of their hands on the final day, as they host Villarreal.

Gijon come into this crucial match as one of three teams who can potentially fill two spots in the bottom three. They’re in 18th, with Rayo Vallecano—who host already relegated Levante on Sunday—a point back in 19th. Getafe are the side they’re both chasing in 17th and they lead Sporting on the head-to-head record.

It means all eyes will be on Getafe, who travel to Real Betis, and Vallecano as well as the action at El Molinon. But Sporting must ensure they stay focused on the job at hand and will be hopeful that three points will be enough to keep them up. Their fans, who can conjure a stunning atmosphere, will certainly be doing all they can to help the cause.

Villarreal have already qualified for the Champions League and seemed switched off when Deportivo beat them 2-0 last weekend. Factor in peculiar comments from their coach Marcelino, who admitted he would like to see Sporting stay up, and the home side will be kicking themselves if they don’t at least heap the pressure on their relegation rivals, regardless of what goes on elsewhere.