If there’s one thing you can say about the EFL, it’s that it always delivers thrills and excitement. Last weekend, there were some edge-of-your-seat games across all three divisions – the Championship, League One, and League Two, and some of these games produced pivotal results at both ends of the table. With games coming thick and fast between now and the end of the 2024/25 campaign, there’s still plenty of time for teams to make their move into contention or to pull clear of the relegation zone. As always, we’ve selected the best of the action from the English Football League, starting with our Championship predictions.
EFL Championship
Sheffield Wednesday vs Sunderland
Sheffield Wednesday vs Sunderland is the Friday evening game in the Championship, and it comes live from Hillsborough. Not only is this a fixture between two huge football clubs operating in the second tier, but it’s a game between two teams who simply have to win if they’re to stay on course to achieve their respective targets this season. Back-to-back results have seen The Owls slide down the table and temporarily out of the playoff conversation, while back-to-back reverses have seen The Wearsiders lose a grip on the race for the automatics. Three points here will be hugely significant for the winner.
Blackburn Rovers vs Norwich City
Blackburn Rovers have been a top-six side for the majority of the season, and they’re holding onto sixth place, even though manager John Eustace swapped Ewood Park for Pride Park. Blackburn Rovers vs Norwich City will see Valerien Ismael, Rovers’ new manager, make his debut in the dugout as he looks to keep them in the playoff race. Visitors Norwich City continue to be inconsistent, but they start the day only four points adrift of the top six. They’ll know a win against 6th-placed Rovers will be massive in opening up the race for the playoffs and boosting their own chances.
Leeds United vs West Bromwich Albion
Leeds United, fresh off their monumental win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, host West Brom at Elland Road this weekend. Leeds strengthened their position as league leaders by defeating The Blades, who are second, but to keep their run going, they will have to get the better of West Brom, who are 5th. Leeds United vs West Brom is always going to be a great match for the neutrals because when they’re operating in the second tier, they’re two very strong outfits. The fact that both have experienced managers in the form of Daniel Farke and Tony Mowbray will only add to the occasion. Leeds are on a great run, but West Brom head to Yorkshire knowing they have to pick points up or they could slip out of the top six.
League One
Birmingham City vs Wycombe Wanderers
Last weekend saw the Championship’s top two go head-to-head at Bramall Lane, and this time, it’s the turn of League One’s top two in Birmingham City vs Wycombe Wanderers. Birmingham and Wycombe have been far and away the best teams in the third tier this season, especially the former, who start the weekend 9 points clear of their visitors to St. Andrews. As was the case in Sheffield United vs Leeds United, if Chris Davies’ Birmingham win, they will cement their position as league leaders, and it will also see Wycombe at risk of dropping out of the top two. A Wycombe win opens up the title race.
Wrexham vs Bolton Wanderers
Wrexham vs Bolton Wanderers is another clash at the right end of the League One table. Wrexham, currently 3rd, will be keeping an eye on what happens in the Birmingham vs Wycombe game, because if Birmingham win, they know a victory for themselves over playoff-chasing Bolton will see them climb into the top two. However, Wrexham winning won’t be straightforward, as Bolton have won their last three League One outings and are looking good under Steven Schumacher. Wrexham’s form has been up and down, so securing three points and back-to-back wins will be huge for them, especially on the confidence front.
Peterborough United vs Shrewsbury Town
Many won’t have predicted this to be the case but Peterborough United vs Shrewsbury Town is a clash between two teams in serious danger of being relegated to League Two. The Posh, who are usually chasing promotion, are two points and one place above the drop zone with a game in hand on two teams below them, one of them being The Shrews. Shrewsbury, who have lost their last three games in the third tier, are seven points adrift of safety and simply have to start winning, or they will tumble further towards the fourth tier. A win here will be pivotal for either team and disastrous for the loser.
League Two
Salford City vs Bradford City
Salford City vs Bradford City is a game between two sides where their fans will be hoping that it’s finally their teams’ year. Salford rose through the leagues, but they’ve not been able to make the step up to League One. Bradford have been plying their trade in the fourth tier for a while, and while they’ve flirted with the playoffs, they’ve never been able to get it over the line. Salford are just outside the playoffs, and a win will see them on the cusp of the top seven, while Bradford’s recent great form has them in automatic promotion contention. At this stage, dropping points isn’t an option for either if they want to achieve their goals.
AFC Wimbledon vs Bromley
The match at Plough Lane – AFC Wimbledon vs Bromley – is similar to Salford vs Bradford in many respects. The home team, in this instance, has aspirations to be promoted to League One automatically. They’ve been in and around the top three all season. They start the day one point adrift of third, so what they do against Bromley, and the results Bradford and Doncaster get, will be worth keeping an eye on. Wimbledon face a Bromley team who, under Andy Woodman, have flirted with the League Two playoffs. They’re slightly off the pace in that regard right now, but three points away at Wimbledon could change all that.
Cheltenham Town vs Grimsby Town
The final pick of the action in the EFL and League Two is Cheltenham Town vs Grimsby Town. Cheltenham are on the periphery of the top seven in the fourth tier, but three wins and a draw in their last five has seen them edge closer to the playoffs. Grimsby, on the other hand, have won their last four League Two games, and they’re only a point a place off Crewe in 7th. Between now and the end of the season, it will be the case that a win for one team in a game will dent the aspirations of their opponent, and that’s what will happen here if either take the three points. A home win will hamper Grimsby’s chances, and an away win will potentially see Cheltenham out of the playoff race completely, at least temporarily, as they’re already seven points short of where they need to be.
