Sheffield Wednesday lost a familiar local rival in the Championship at the weekend. Barnsley had staved off relegation for a number of seasons but failed to beat the drop this time around, a 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough consigning them to start next season in League One along with Yeovil who have suffered the same fate.
With the Football League season drawing to a close at the weekend another one of Wednesday's near neighbours are in need of a positive result or a bit of luck elsewhere. Doncaster are just one point above the relegation zone and face a daunting trip to Championship Champions Leicester who will no doubt be wanting to sign off in style.
Should Donny fail to get a result against the Foxes they will be reliant on other teams doing them a favour, starting tonight. Birmingham currently occupy the 3rd relegation spot but they have 2 games remaining and if they pick up a point or more against Wigan tonight then Doncaster will be in the bottom 3 going into the final game.
Wednesday may secretly be disappointed to see the back of Barnsley. For all the rivalry, the contest has been a good one for the Owls who have taken plenty of points off the Tykes in recent seasons. Indeed, of all of the clubs struggling at the wrong end of the table, Barnsley are one of the few that failed to beat Wednesday. The Owls picked up just 1 point from their two games against both Charlton and Yeovil, lost twice to Doncaster, were hammered at Birmingham, lost at Blackpool and drew twice against Millwall.
The Owls may have lost one, possibly 2 local rivals due to relegation but there is a chance that another could join them next season by being promoted. Sheffield United may have failed yet again in their bid to get out of the 3rd division but Rotherham will contest the League One play-offs as they attempt to make it back-to-back promotions.