Coventry City clinched the EFL Championship title and automatic promotion to the Premier League on April 18 with 95 points, followed by Ipswich Town securing second place on May 2 via a dramatic final-day victory, earning direct ascent with 84 points. The third promotion spot hinges on the May 23 Wembley play-off final between Hull City and Southampton, who advanced past Middlesbrough 2-1 on aggregate after extra time in their semi-final second leg. However, trader consensus faces uncertainty from Southampton's "Spygate" scandal—alleged spying on Middlesbrough's training—with an EFL disciplinary hearing by May 19 potentially delaying the final, imposing sanctions, or altering outcomes amid intense scrutiny on league integrity. Hull's strong end-of-season form and home advantage in semis bolster their case in this high-stakes decider.