Another bumper weekend of football across the Championship, League One and League Two is in store. TIBS News provides an EFL preview to the standout fixtures.
The Championship
Derby County travel to Luton Town in a match-up that will have huge implications at both ends of the table. Derby are eight points from safety after losing to Millwall in midweek while Luton could sneak into a play-off place if they emerge victorious at Kenilworth Road and other results go their way.
Third-place Queens Park Rangers travel to fifth-place Blackburn Rovers as both sides try and catch up to Bournemouth in the automatic promotion spot. Blackburn have lost talisman striker Ben Brereton Diaz, who has 20 goals to his name so far this season, to an ankle injury – and QPR will be hoping that they can edge what will undoubtedly be a very tight affair.
Bottom side Barnsley could lift themselves to 22nd place if they can find a way to beat a Middlesbrough side who have only lost once in their last six games. The Tykes have won two of their last three and have seemed to pick up some form heading into the last quarter of the season. Middlesbrough remain just one point outside of the play-off places as they look for a long-awaited return to the Premier League since getting relegated in 2017.
League One
AFC Wimbledon welcome Doncaster Rovers to Plough Lane in a huge relegation battle that neither team can afford to lose. Wimbledon are two points above the drop zone while Doncaster are four points from safety so both will give their all for the three points in what is sure to be an enthralling affair.
League leaders Rotherham make the long trip down to fifth-placed Plymouth as they look to strengthen their hold on top spot. Plymouth were shocked by a 2-0 loss to Cambridge in midweek and will be hoping to get back into form as the chasing pack of Wycombe, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday get closer with each game.
Two teams who have surprised people for all the wrong reasons this season meet as Portsmouth host Fleetwood in a game that should’ve been played with both sides much higher in the league table than they are. Fleetwood are only two points above the relegation zone whilst Pompey sit 11th, eight points from the play-off places where they were expected to be at this point of the season.
League Two
Oldham have found some good form in recent weeks and will hope they can carry that into their clash with Colchester. Both sides will be desperate for points of any kind but Colchester’s home advantage may prove essential as John Sheridan and Wayne Brown look to steer their clubs clear of bottom sides Scunthorpe and Carlisle.
Former Stoke and Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will see his Bradford team welcome Mansfield in his first game as Bantams manager. The Stags will be looking to consolidate their play-off place as they look to secure that elusive promotion to League One.
Tranmere travel to play-off chasing Newport County as they look to recover from their unfortunate relegation from League One two years ago. With memories fresh of losing in last season’s play-offs to eventual winners Morecambe, Tranmere will hope they can hold on to an automatic promotion spot as Exeter continue to breathe down their neck.
By Joshua Stewart
