The EFL is back with a full fixture list this weekend with Matchday 39 after Matchday 38 was hit by postponements due to international call-ups. With fixtures taking place in the Championship, League One, and League Two, there’s a ton of action to stay across this weekend, and some matches could prove pivotal for teams as they continue to chase their targets as the season draws to a close With time running out, will there be any late movers and shakers in the various promotion races? And could there be teams getting sucked into relegation battles late in the day? Here’s the pick of the action from the second, third, and fourth tiers, starting in the Championship.
Championship
Hull City vs Luton Town
We kick off this week’s preview with Hull City vs Luton Town, a fixture between two teams at the wrong end of the table. The home team, Hull, look safe for now, and recent form has been ok, with two wins and two draws from four. However, they’re only three points above the drop zone. They face a Luton side, surprisingly still in the bottom three. They’ve won two from four and need to win here to keep their survival hopes alive. If Luton get the better of Hull, they could drag the Tigers into the dogfight they’re trying to avoid.
Burnley vs Bristol City
Burnley vs Bristol City is a match where both teams are in different types of races, but the result could impact both. Burnley are still in the hunt for automatic promotion, just two points off the top two, while Bristol City are on the cusp of the playoffs. This means it won’t be a straightforward win for an in-form Burnley team at Turf Moor, as the Robins are on great form too. The result in this one will see the winner gain ground in their respective race and the loser lose ground.
Derby County vs Preston North End
When John Eustace swapped a playoff race with Blackburn Rovers for a relegation fight with Derby County, everyone laughed. This continued with his first couple of results in charge of the Rams. However, Derby are now on a three-game winning streak, and Derby vs Preston is a fixture they’ll be relishing. If they can make it four wins from four, they could climb out of the bottom three, but Preston, while form hasn’t been good, need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
League One
Charlton Athletic vs Huddersfield Town
Charlton and Huddersfield are two League One outfits chasing playoff glory this season. The home team’s recent run of form has catapulted them into 4th, while Huddersfield are clinging on to 6th, which is seemingly why they axed manager Michael Duff. Charlton vs Huddersfield is, therefore, an important fixture for both. Charlton win and they cement their place in the top six. Huddersfield need to keep picking up points to fend off the threat from the likes of Bolton Wanderers below them. And if the Terriers finish in the top six, it will vindicate their decision to part ways with Duff.
Stockport County vs Burton Albion
Stockport County vs Burton Albion is a fixture involving two teams in very different places in the third tier. Stockport are looking good for the playoffs, while Burton are 21st and 6 points adrift of safety. The reason this match stands out this weekend is because it’s one of those games where the result could be huge for both. The race for the playoffs is tight, and teams in there, like Stockport, must keep collecting the points, or other clubs will be ready to pounce. Burton can’t afford to let their six-point deficit grow further, or they’ll be League Two bound.
Reading vs Peterborough United
Reading, against the odds and even with all the off-field stuff going on, are still one of three teams outside the top six who could climb into the playoff places this weekend, which is quite remarkable. Based on league position alone, you’d expect Reading vs Peterborough to go in favour of the home team, with the Posh down in 15th. However, Darren Ferguson’s team has hit form very late in the day and have won three from four. Reading have been doing ok, but are draw specialists. It won’t be an easy fixture for them, not if Posh are in full flow.
League Two
Crewe Alexandra vs Port Vale
There’s somewhat of a local rivalry taking place this weekend in League Two, with Crewe vs Port Vale being the fixture in question. This is a match where there is some local rivalry at play, but both teams are still working towards a favourable finish in the league, too. Vale, who continue to flatter to deceive, are 4th, and while their form is patchy, they could work their way into the top three with a positive result. However, draw specialists, Crewe, at home, will be tough opposition, and the Alex have their sights on the playoffs, with only a solitary point separating them and the top seven.
Doncaster Rovers vs Carlisle United
Doncaster Rovers vs Carlisle United may be a top-of-the-table team vs a bottom-of-the-table team, but both aren’t in great form, and both need to pick up points this weekend. Rovers, like many teams in League Two, have flirted with the top three, but recent form has seen them slide down to 5th, although they remain in contention for the automatics. Carlisle, managed by Mark Hughes, are 23rd but 6 points from safety. A win at the Eco Power will see them keep their survival hopes alive, and that’s what they’re playing for. Rovers will be right up for this one, and will look to pile on the misery to the Cumbrians.
Walsall vs AFC Wimbledon
The fixture of the weekend in the EFL could be Walsall vs AFC Wimbledon in League Two. Both Walsall and Wimbledon have done well all season, and they’re teams that look on course for promotion with the automatics the dream. Walsall, who are out of form, have seen their lead at the top of the table cut to a point, and third-placed Wimbledon will see this as an opportunity to strike. They’re on 64 points, and their place in the top three isn’t secure, but they will firm it up with victory over the Saddlers. A return to winning ways is what Walsall need to get back on track.
As always in the EFL, there are some mouth-watering fixtures this weekend. It feels like instead of there being a lot of teams who are already in the “nothing to play for stage,” that most are still involved in some form of battle, be it for promotion, the playoffs, or survival. And, with less than ten games to go in each of the three divisions in the English Football League, it really is all to play for. Between now and the end of the season, the picture could change completely, which makes football match betting, along with each matchday and the results that come in pivotal.
