By Mark Sugar
May 1 2004

The Royals will have to win at Watford next Sunday and pray results go their way if they want the Playoffs.Today both West Ham and Crystal Palace won while Sunderland were held at home and Wigan were beaten against Nottingham Forest.The final day opponents for Wigan are West Ham at the JJB Stadium!

The Royals have it all to do if they want to guarantee themselves a Playoff spot after most of the result affecting the surrounding teams didn't go the way we would have liked.

Following on from the 1-1 draw between Sheffield United and Ipswich last night, West Ham and Crystal Palace proved their up for the challenge of possible Premiership football as they both won.

The Hammers, managed by former Royals boss Alan Pardew won comfortably against Watford, who are the Royals opponents next Sunday. Scottish midfield Don Hutchinson gave them the lead after a sweetly struck free kick before a Christian Dailly header made it 2. Then in the 2nd half, former Spurs striker Bobby Zamora was fouled in the area and Marlon Harewood converted. The former Forest striker then got his 2nd goal late on to lift the Hammers up to 3rd.

Ian Dowie's Crystal Palace left it late on against Walsall. An 88th minute rebounded shot from Andy Johnson gave the Eagles a massive 3 points.

Sunderland were held to a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra at the Stadium of Light. Jeff Whitley put the Black Cats in front before the highly rated Dean Ashton equalised late on. Sunderland face probable Division 1 Champions Norwich City on Tuesday night.

Wigan Athletic slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. David Johnson was scorer for Forest.

Below is how the league table looks.

	PLAYED	GOAL DIFFERENCE	POINTS
3rd.West Ham United	45	22	73
4th.Sunderland	44	15	73
5th.Crystal Palace	45	12	73
6th.Ipswich Town	45	12	72
7th.Wigan Athletic	45	15	70
8th.Sheffield United	45	9	70
9th.READING	45	-1	70

REMAINING FIXTURES

Tuesday, 4th May

Sunderland Vs Norwich City

Sunday, 9th May*

Ipswich Town Vs Cardiff

Preston North End Vs Sheffield United

Watford Vs Reading

Wigan Athletic Vs West Ham

Burnley Vs Sunderland

Coventry City Vs Crystal Palace

*NOTE=All DIVISION 1 KICK OFF'S ARE 13:00PM

Reading sold out their initial allocation of 1,250 for Watford next Sunday. Their are more tickets available from the Ticket Office. Click here for the prices and travel details.