Dramatic promotion and relegation races that will determine Middlesbrough's rivals next season

Middlesbrough now know they will be competing in next season's Championship - and they will be once again hoping to build appropriately in the summer to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League.

That comes after an injury-hit season has ultimately ended with Boro unable to make the play-offs - with that fate confirmed with two games remaining, thanks to Monday's narrow defeat to Leeds United. In the Championship, they are one of eight sides that now know they will be staying in the second tier next season. In League One, Portsmouth have already sealed their promotion as champions.

But across England's top three divisions, there are still promotion and relegation battles to be determined in the final weeks of this season that will ultimately shape the make-up of next season's Championship, from which, Boro will then know exactly who they are competing against next season. We take a look at what's still to be decided.

READ MORE: EFL expert names what Middlesbrough need this summer as he tips them to be contenders next season

Premier League relegation battle

With four games remaining, no sides are mathematically relegated yet, though Sheffield United are currently 10 points from safety with 12 to play for, having won only three games all season. It means their fate could be sealed this weekend if they fail to beat Newcastle United or results elsewhere go against them.

The three teams coming down will naturally pose the biggest threat to Boro on account of the parachute payments that gives them such a financial advantage. That said, next season looks like it could be the best possible opportunity for clubs without parachute payments to compete, with financial issues for most of the clubs at threat of the drop.

The Blades would be in an uncertain financial position and will also start their next season in the EFL on minus-two points after defaulting on payments to other clubs last season. Last season's other two promoted sides Luton and Burnley are also currently occupying the bottom three, though making a bit more of a fist of their battle - albeit only really because of points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest this season.

Brentford technically could still be dragged into it with Luton 10 points behind them, but they look comfortable now. Everton have won their last two, including the midweek win over Liverpool, to move themselves eight clear of Luton and ten of Burnley. Forest enjoy only a one-point gap over Luton and three over Burnley though, so it's all still to play for in the final four games. Burnley would look well set to come back down and dominate the Championship again like last term, but for the rest, there would be far more uncertainty.

Championship automatic promotion race

The Championship promotion race is proving an interesting one - with Leicester now almost there after wins over West Brom and Southampton. They head to Preston North End on Monday if Leeds lose at QPR on Friday night and/or they win at Deepdale.

Ipswich Town have a game in hand, currently sitting in third, one point behind Leeds. They have play-off hopefuls Hull City and Coventry City to play on Saturday and Tuesday as they return to action for the first time since their draw with Boro a fortnight ago. Southampton have lost their last two and are now six points behind Leeds with a considerably worse goal difference, so appear out of the race now.

Championship play-off race

Boro now can't catch Norwich in sixth, but Hull and Coventry still can. The first two play-off spots are confirmed in as far as it will be two of Leicester, Leeds, Ipswich and Southampton, with the other two taking automatic promotion. West Brom and Norwich currently occupy the other two spots and are level on 72 points.

That's just three points above Hull City, with West Brom losing their last two. Coventry have a bit more do to. With a game in hand against Ipswich on account of their FA Cup run, they are nine points behind and therefore needing to win all of their remaining games while hoping one of Norwich or West Brom lose both of those and Hull lose one of theirs.

Given Hull's goal difference, just one more Norwich and West Brom win would pretty much seal their top-six finish, with West Brom away at Sheffield Wednesday this weekend and Norwich at home to Swansea City.

Championship relegation race

Rotherham United have already fallen through the trap and know they will play League One football again next season, having confirmed their second-tier survival last term by beating Boro. Frustratingly, they've only won 24 points all season and four of those came against Boro.

The remaining two relegation spots will be contested by seven teams in the final two games, with Huddersfield and Birmingham currently occupying second and third bottom. Stoke and QPR need just one more win to secure their safety, while a win would also leave Blackburn only in danger of relegation via goal difference.

Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth are in a little more danger, sitting just one and two points above Birmingham after the Blues picked up four points from the last two. Huddersfield and Birmingham actually play this weekend which could tighten things up to set up a dramatic final day.

League One automatic promotion race

This weekend is the final weekend of the League One season and it's set up for some dramatic conclusions. With Portsmouth guaranteed to win the title, it's left for Derby County and Bolton to contest second spot.

Derby hold the advantage as they head into the final game three points clear and with a plus-four goal-difference advantage over Bolton. They just need a point against bottom-of-the-league Carlisle United to secure their Championship return. Bolton have a tough game against fourth-placed Peterborough needing a win and a goal difference swing if Derby are to lose.

League One play-off race

If Derby meet expectations then Bolton and Peterborough will be two of the four sides contesting the final League One promotion spot via the play-offs. The final two spots will be determined on an exciting final day in which any two of Barnsley, Lincoln City, Oxford United or Blackpool could take them.

Boro connections in the race sees loanees Liam Roberts and Hayden Coulson involved, with Roberts trying to help the fifth-placed Tykes over the line, while the in-form Coulson will hope to fire Blackpool in having scored an important third goal against Roberts in last weekend's 3-2 win.

Just two points separate Barnsley from eighth-placed Blackpool, so it's all still to play for. Blackpool have won their last four and head to Reading on the final day. Barnsley haven't won in five and host Northampton Town. Oxford are away to Exeter City and Lincoln host Portsmouth in what promises to be another thrilling end to a League One campaign.