Matchday 31 isn’t a straightforward matchday in the EFL, with some teams playing league games while others continue their FA Cup campaigns. This presents an opportunity for the teams that are in league action to get ahead of those who aren’t, perhaps putting the pressure on them on their return. It should make for another interesting matchday in the Football League.
Championship
West Brom vs Sheffield Wednesday
West Brom vs Sheffield Wednesday is a clash between two teams who have playoff ambitions. However, both outfits have struggled with a lack of consistency on and off the pitch. West Brom saw Carlos Corberan depart to Valencia and welcomed back Tony Mowbray as manager, but results have been up and down. Wednesday’s form has been up and down, too, but they remain a dangerous away team. With the business end of the season edging closer, this is the time to prove your credentials as playoff challengers, especially when it’s a match between two of them. It’s also an opportunity for both teams to improve their form.
Norwich City vs Derby County
Norwich City and Derby County are teams with very different targets they want to achieve between now and the end of the season. The Canaries are looking to push on and secure a top-six finish, while the Rams are battling for survival. Therefore, the result of Norwich vs Derby could prove incredibly significant, more so for the away team and their manager, Paul Warne. Warne’s team is on a terrible run of form, and his position is being questioned as each game comes and goes without a win. Defeat at Carrow Road could be a bridge too far. Norwich will be out to win because of how competitive the playoff race is.
Sheffield United vs Portsmouth
They say that transfer windows can make or break a team’s season, and in Sheffield United’s case, it will undoubtedly be the former. The Blades’ new owners have backed manager Chris Wilder with some major signings, and this should strengthen their position as an automatic promotion contender. Sheffield United vs Portsmouth won’t be a fixture Pompey manager John Mousinho will have been looking forward to on the calendar, with his team doing just enough to stay out of the bottom three. However, Mousinho and his team will take heart from the fact that they held the Blades to a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park earlier in the season.
League One
Stockport County vs Barnsley
As is the case with all three EFL divisions, the playoff race in League One is being hotly contested. There are currently eight teams vying for one of the four playoff spots, of which Stockport County and Barnsley are two. At present, Stockport County vs Barnsley sees the home team cemented in the playoff places and the away team one point adrift of them. A win for County would cement their position further and could even draw them closer to Wrexham in third, while a win for Barnsley could see them climb into the top six. A loss for the away team could see them lose pace with the chasing pack, and that would be disappointing for the Tykes.
Burton Albion vs Blackpool
It may not jump off the page immediately as one of the picks of the League One fixtures this matchday, but Burton Albion vs Blackpool is, and it’s more so about the home team than the visitors. Burton looked doomed for a long time, but while they’re still five points from safety, they’ve managed to put a run of three wins and two draws together in their last five outings, proving they could pull off an escape under new manager Gary Bowyer. However, Blackpool are also on a decent run themselves, and while they look likely to finish midtable this term, they’re managed by the hugely experienced Steve Bruce.
Huddersfield Town vs Reading
Like Stockport vs Barnsley, Huddersfield Town vs Reading is another clash between two playoff contenders in League One. Huddersfield, managed by Michael Duff, have been in the promotion mix all season, and were fancied as automatic challengers at one stage, but they’ve flattered to deceive at times and have now lost three in a row. They face a Reading team that has just ended a three-game losing streak with victory over Bolton, and they’re only out of the playoff places on goal difference. A defeat for Huddersfield could see them on the brink of falling out of the top six, while a win for Reading could see them join the top six. It’s all to play for.
League Two
Bradford City vs Harrogate Town
Bradford City vs Harrogate is one of several derby fixtures being played out over this matchday. It’s a Yorkshire derby, and while both teams are at different ends of the league table, all this could go out of the window if this game catches fire due to the derby implications. Bradford were on an excellent winning run until last time out, but they’ve proven themselves as top-six contenders this season, and they look more capable of seeing the job through this time round than they ever have previously. Harrogate Town, on the other hand, are a good distance from the relegation zone and retaining their status in the division continues to be the aim. But they will be out to upset the odds and harm the Bantams’ playoff hopes.
Colchester United vs Walsall
There have been different leaders of League One, but Walsall took up the baton and ran away with it at the top of the division, and they still have a seven-point lead over Doncaster Rovers in second. However, two defeats and a draw in their last three games could be an indication that there could be another changing of the guard, and in Colchester United vs Walsall, you have the away team out of form and the home team on a run of three wins and a draw in their last four games. Danny Cowley will be hoping his team can continue their good form and make a late run at the playoffs, while Mat Sadler will be attempting to get the Saddlers back to winning ways, otherwise, they could see their points advantage diminish further.
Grimsby Town vs Carlisle United
Grimsby Town vs Carlisle United is a game between two teams where if it’s not make or break now, it soon will be. The Mariners are two places below the top seven but five points adrift so, if they want to realise their dream of a playoff finish, they need to put a run of winning form together. They’ve only won one in their last five, which isn’t promotion form. Carlisle United remain the basement outfit, and they’re five points from safety. They hired Mike Williamson to change their fortunes, but after he failed to get the Cumbrians going, they’ve now parted ways with him. Carlisle can survive, but with one win and four defeats from five and only five victories all season, it could soon see them require a miracle to retain their status as an EFL outfit.
