Watford are in the driving seat for automatic promotion but the dates have now been confirmed for the play-offs if Xisco Munoz’s men need that route to seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

The EFL has confirmed the regular Championship season will end on Saturday, May 8 when Swansea City visit Vicarage Road for a 12.30pm kick-off.

The play-offs will then get underway on Monday, May 17, with the two ties to be played at 6pm and 8.15pm respectively.

The second legs are due to be played on Saturday, May 22 at 12.30pm and 5.30pm respectively.

The Championship play-off final is scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 29 with a 3pm kick-off.

The Hornets currently have a nine-point cushion in second place, although Swansea can reduce that to seven with victory at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.