The EFL returns this weekend and it’s another round of action-packed fixtures in Matchday 36 across the Championship, League One, and League Two. As the season progresses towards its final stage, the stakes really couldn’t be higher. There are teams jostling for position to gain promotion, the race for the playoffs is one, and at the other end of the table, sides are battling to survive. With more crucial points up for grabs over the next several days, the landscape in all three divisions could have changed by Monday.
So, who will the winners and losers be in Matchday 36? Find out below in our in-depth preview.
Championship
Coventry City vs Stoke City
Now, Coventry City vs Stoke City isn’t a fixture that immediately jumps off of the page as one to watch this weekend in the Championship. However, there are a couple of things at play here, the first being that this game sees Mark Robins, now manager of Stoke, return to the club he left earlier in the season for the first time. Also, this is a fixture that’s about keeping hold of what you’ve got. The home team are looking on course for the playoffs, and the away team for Championship survival. Both will be out to hold onto what they’ve got, in a sense. A win for Coventry to further cement their top six place could also be further vindication of the club’s decision to part ways with Robins.
Burnley vs Luton Town
Last season, Burnley vs Luton Town was a Premier League fixture. Both teams were subsequently relegated but expected to challenge for an instant return to the top flight in 2024/25. That’s gone to plan for the home team, but not the away team, who are battling to prevent consecutive relegations. This match sees both in need of a win. If Burnley win, they stay in the race for automatic promotion. If Luton win, they will move further away from danger. It’s all to play for. And this should add even more spice to the affair at Turf Moor, especially when a defeat for either team could have a hugely negative impact.
Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers
Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers is an interesting fixture because Rovers, playoff hopefuls, recently lost their manager, John Eustace, to the Rams, who are relegation-threatened. And, since his arrival, there’s been no uplift, with Derby looking more doomed as the games go by. Eustace will be keen to get one over his former employers and get his team going, but Rovers, now managed by Valerien Ismael, will be eager to continue with their playoff push. Who will come out on top? Eustace? Or the team that Eustace built and manoeuvred into the top six against the odds? Could Eustace have made the wrong decision to leave Ewood Park after all?
League One
Stockport County vs Charlton Athletic
Stockport County vs Charlton Athletic is a game between 4th and 5th in the third tier, with only a couple of points currently between them. League One has been highly competitive throughout the season, and even now, the race for promotion is still wide open. While Stockport and Charlton are looking good for the playoffs, they could both still push for second and automatic promotion, and they could both end up out of the top six completely, too. This is a game that neither side will want to lose because of the ramifications a defeat presents, especially for Charlton, who could end the day in 7th.
Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
At this stage of the season, some teams will move into the territory of having nothing to play for. However, Burton Albion vs Bolton Wanderers certainly isn’t one of those games, as it’s a fixture where both teams have something to play for. In this one, Burton are now only 3 points from safety and in with a chance of pulling themselves out of the bottom four with victory over a rejuvenated Wanderers. Bolton, on the other hand, are a point outside the top six and know winning here could see them finish the day in the playoff places, giving themselves a great chance of continuing their promotion push under Steven Schumacher.
Leyton Orient vs Northampton Town
Leyton Orient vs Northampton Town sees the home side, who were looking like playoff contenders not so long ago, now badly out of form, having lost four in a row, come up against an away team that is five points clear of the League One drop zone. All hope isn’t lost for Orient, but they must find a way to end their dismal run if they want to push for the playoffs between now and the end of the season. Northampton may see this as the ideal time to play Richie Wellens’ team, especially as the three points on offer here will see them move further away from the drop zone.
League Two
AFC Wimbledon vs Notts County
One of the best fixtures in the whole of the EFL is happening this weekend in League Two, and it’s AFC Wimbledon, 5th in the further tier, hosting Notts County, who are 4th. The significance of this fixture is that both teams know a win here can dramatically improve their automatic promotion hopes, with County able to climb into the top three with victory. However, it’s also worth noting that both teams are out of form. Wimbledon have lost their last two games and are winless in four. County lost last time out, too. A return to form could be huge in this one.
Walsall vs Grimsby Town
At one stage, Walsall looked to have got automatic promotion to League One in the bag as leaders in the fourth tier. However, fast forward to now, and Walsall vs Grimsby Town could be a fixture where all that changes. Walsall are top of the pile, but they’re winless in three and only 10 points clear of Notts County in 4th. They face Grimbsy, a team in solid form, who are two points outside the top seven and looking to get into the playoff places and cement their position there. Walsall have everything to lose in this one, and Grimsby have everything to gain. Will the pressure be too much for the home team?
Doncaster Rovers vs Swindon Town
Doncaster Rovers head into their fixture at home to Swindon Town, knowing they have to keep picking up points to fend off the teams below them. They’re currently third and in the final automatic promotion spot, but a defeat last time out has opened the door for Notts County in 4th to strike if Rovers lose. Therefore, Doncaster vs Swindon is a must-win game for Grant McCann’s men. They won’t have it easy against Swindon, who are managed by the very experienced Ian Holloway. His team are in decent form and rallying to make a last-minute dash at the League Two playoff places. It’s a must-win game for them in this respect, too, because they can’t afford to lose more ground.
