The final few weeks of the Football League are upon us. TIBS News provides an EFL preview to the Championship, League One and League Two.
Championship
Barnsley visit Millwall in a must win game as they try to cling on to their survival hopes following Reading’s win over Stoke in midweek. Eight points from safety with only seven games to go, the Tykes are in serious danger of relegation. Millwall have enjoyed the season in the top half and will be looking to consolidate their position with a win against a much weaker team.
Two former Premier League teams come head-to-head as Sheffield United host Bournemouth in the early kick-off. The Blades are currently sixth but a win would ease a lot of worries as they head into the last few games. Bournemouth are growing a bigger gap above third and could almost guarantee their promotion with a statement win at Bramall Lane.
Fulham could seal their return to the top flight with a win over Coventry City. They would need Nottingham to lose against Birmingham the day before if they are to celebrate on Sunday. Coventry will hope they can delay the inevitable promotion party as they look to finish the season in the top half of the table.
League One
The Franchise Derby takes place on Saturday as Wimbledon host MK Dons in a monumental clash. Wimbledon have gone 22 games without a win but a passionate home crowd will be spurring them on against their arch-enemies. MK Dons will be hoping to build on their promotion push and extend their gap over third place.
Sunderland take on Oxford in a massive six-pointer in the race for the play-offs. The U’s have struggled for form recently having won only two of their last five games and have consequently fallen out of the play-off spots. Sunderland meanwhile could go up to fifth with a win as they try to finally achieve promotion to the Championship.
Bottom side Crewe Alexandra could be relegated this weekend unless they win at Doncaster. They are 13 points from safety with five games left meaning if they lose they would only be able to achieve a maximum of 12 points, sending them to League Two. Doncaster aren’t in a much better position and need a win if they want have any chance of survival as they languish eight points from safety.
League Two
Stevenage face a tough challenge against Colchester as they try to avoid the drop. Only three points from safety, Stevenage have yet to find the win they so desperately need, but also know their destiny is in their own hands. If they win against the already-safe Colchester, they will also have a game-in-hand to create a gap over the relegation zone.
Northampton will be aiming to climb back into the automatic promotion spots when they take on Bradford. Having slid down the table in a mini-rut of form, Northampton are back on track to return to League One. Bradford have little but pride to fight for as they sit comfortably mid-table, albeit with a large pack of teams on their heels.
Newport travel to the County ground as they take on Swindon in a play-off clash. The teams are eighth and ninth respectively and a win for either side would put them into the prime position for sneaking into seventh. The teams have identical form with seven points from their last five games and the home fans of Swindon may prove crucial in what is sure to be a tight contest.
By Joshua Stewart
