BBC pundit names which of Wrexham, Hull City and Derby County will make the Championship play-offs | OneFootball

BBC pundit and Sky co-commentator Sam Parkin has had his say on which of Derby County, Hull City, and Wrexham will make the final play-off place...

Sam Parkin is a pundit on BBC's Final Score and a co-commentator for Sky Sports, with the former striker predicting which of Wrexham, Hull City, or Derby County will make the play-offs.

John Eustace's Derby County side host Sheffield United at Pride Park, Hull City take on the in-form Norwich City at the MKM, while the team currently occupying sixth has the hardest fixture of all.

Wrexham are only above Hull on goal difference and host Middlesbrough, with Kim Hellberg's side able to finish inside the automatic promotion places if results go their way on the final day of the regular season in the Championship.

Even with that, Opta's supercomputer is backing Wrexham as the likeliest to secure sixth over Hull and Derby. However, strange things often occur on the final day of the campaign, which Sam Parkin will be well aware of from his playing days.

Sam Parkin predicts two of Hull City, Wrexham, and Derby County to win on final day

Speaking to Benjamin Bloom on his YouTube channel, Parkin has provided his verdict. Bloom said: "So, Derby can finish in the top six with either a draw or a win. Obviously, the win would be more helpful. The draw needs a lot of help. Any result needs a lot of help, but they've just got to do what they've got to do, Sam.

"Are they going to put the pressure on Hull and Wrexham, Sam? Do we get a Derby win?"

Parkin responded: "Well, they are. In a word, I'm going to say yes. And I haven't got this stat in front of me, but if I read you a few of the results, this is going to be why my thought process is... Sheffield United have lost at Swansea, Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Hull, Wrexham, Southampton.

"All of the top teams, yeah. They don't take points at any of the top teams. So, therefore, I'll go for Derby to get their job done. It may be in vain. 2-0 Derby."

Bloom replied: "Well, I'd better take the trusty Eustace 1-0, which would be quite good fun actually because it'll be proper nervy. And to be fair to Sheffield United, even though they're stinking the joint out a bit to end the season, you know [Chris] Wilder will still throw the kitchen sink at it at the end.

"But I will go for a Derby County win, which would put the pressure big style on our next team. And it's Hull vs Norwich, Sam. And Hull have been trending down. I think they've got 10 points in 11 games, which is kind of relegation form and they play Norwich. And I am going to throw the grenade in.

"So, we haven't got to Wrexham yet, but I'm going to have Derby going on to 72 points but am I going to go for a draw? I am going to go for a draw. I've changed my mind at the last minute, but I'm not going for Hull to win. I think Norwich will be 2-1 up and Hull will equalise at the end. It'll be 2-2.

"And as you said, it will be in vain. But the important thing is, I've got Hull dropping points 2-2. Sam, what say you?"

Parkin added: "I'm sure there's a lot of people that have been across this all season that I say that Hull are never going to win, which is not true or it's not meant to come across like that. And when I've seen them in the flesh, I've been really impressed with them.

"And they've had a phenomenal season. But if you put Norwich away at Hull across the last two months with something on it for Norwich,

Norwich are the better team right now, in my opinion. And that is emphasised by the the recent form. One win in eight for Hull. We know that's against Sheffield Wednesday.

"Therefore, I'm with you, mate. I'm totally with you. I'm sorry. 1-1. I think Norwich have still got their foot on the gas. I think they're going to

finish the season strong going into next season as certainties to be top six. 1-1."

Bloom replied: "So far, both Sam and I have Derby overtaking Hull and we will await to see what we're saying for Wrexham who face Middlesbrough. Right, this is the last one, Sam. So, to set this up, I have Hull on 71 points and Derby on 72. Therefore, I need Wrexham to win if they want to take sixth place, or else Derby will be in the play-offs.

"Middlesbrough I have guaranteed to be in fourth place, so it doesn't much matter what they do. And I think Wreham will win, Sam. And part of the reason is something you said to me and I think you were there for their promotion against Charlton and you said it was a big event. A big atmosphere and they turned up in a big home game.

"So, with that in my brain, I think they're going to do the same again. And I think Middlesbrough maybe into the second half in this game might realise that there's nothing left for them and they've just got to prep for Southampton and that's where Wrexham score and it's 1-0. Wrexham in sixth."

Parkin said: "Okay, I'd love to add a little bit of spice to this but I kind of agree with you. I would be very surprised if we're sitting here in a couple of months time and Wrexham have been promoted via the play-offs. I can't quite see that happening. Stranger things have happened, but here I think the results elsewhere may play a part.

"This is the only narrative building I'm doing today. But if Middlesbrough see... they'll be aware if Ipswich are a few goals to the good and Millwall goals to the good, then the race is run, isn't it? So, I'm going to go for maybe Wrexham to come from behind and win late in the day, which would kill Derby as well, wouldn't it?

"So, I'm going to go for Wrexham to win by two goals to one. There you go."

Predicting who makes the play-offs in sixth

Given Derby's fixture, you have to fancy them to get the win they need. The Blades have been out of sorts for a few weeks now and Eustace will have his players fired up with nothing to lose and everything to gain from down in eighth.

Hull's form is a concern, even if they only need to turn things on for one game against Norwich. Philippe Clement does not seem like the sort of manager to play plenty of fringe players, but instead he will want to continue the excellent form they have shown since his arrival.

It all comes down, then, to Wrexham. Can they beat Middlesbrough? Yes. However, Boro are one of the best footballing teams in the division when they all click. Southampton turned up and won 5-1 recently and Hellberg and co. could easily do similar on their trip to Wales.

Middlesbrough also have an incentive to ensure a home tie in their second play-off game, irrespective of what Ipswich do in second. That is why I believe Derby