The first of the Easter bank holiday Football League fixtures takes place on Good Friday across the Championship, League One and League Two. TIBS News provides an EFL preview.
The first of the Football League fixtures across Easter bank holiday takes place on Good Friday across the Championship, League One and League Two. TIBS News provides an EFL preview.
Championship
Coventry return to St Andrews as they take on Birmingham in a game entirely for bragging rights. The Sky Blues have a slim chance of reaching the play-offs but they will still be hoping that a couple of teams slip up in the last few games. Birmingham are languishing near the bottom of the table but are safe from relegation in a season they will be quick to put behind them.
Huddersfield could reduce the gap to the automatic promotion spots to just one point should they overcome QPR. Leading the play-off pack, the Yorkshire side have a six-point buffer to seventh as they look to return to the Premier League. QPR have seen their play-off push thoroughly derailed after a poor run of form and will be fighting to turn their fortunes around.
Barnsley make the trip to Swansea in what looks to be a futile attempt of avoiding relegation to League One. The Welsh side have found some form in recent weeks and will be a tough challenge for the struggling visitors. Barnsley are eight points from safety and with few games remaining, the writing is starting to appear on the wall for them.
League One
Already-relegated Crewe could drag down struggling Wimbledon with them in a bottom-of-the-table clash. Only three points from safety, Wimbledon desperately need that ever-elusive win to rescue their season and this might be their best chance to get it. Crewe are now without manager David Artell, after parting ways, as they prepare for a return to League Two.
Wycombe host Plymouth in a huge clash at the top-of-the-table which will help make the play-off picture a lot clearer. Wycombe are outside of the top six by goal difference alone and a statement win against Plymouth would boost their hopes massively. Plymouth meanwhile will be looking to overtake a troubled Rotherham into third to establish their play-off place.
Fleetwood take on Oxford in a match-up that will have implications at both sides of the table. Oxford’s play-off push has hit a slight stumble which leaves them needing other results to go their way should they recover lost ground. Fleetwood, in turn, know a win could lift them three points above the drop zone as they approach the last four games of the season.
League Two
Stevenage could escape the relegation zone if they emerge victorious over a mid-table Rochdale. The home side recorded their first win under Steve Evans when they beat Colchester to go level on points with Oldham, albeit with a worse goal difference. Rochdale have little left to fight for which could give Stevenage a competitive edge in a crucial game.
Salford make the long trip down south to Bristol as they try to sneak into the play-off places. The away side come into the game in eighth but know a win would lift them over their opponents. Bristol meanwhile could rise as high as fourth should they emerge victorious, taking the lead in an incredibly tight play-off race.
Scunthorpe could be relegated to the National League if they lose to Leyton Orient away from home. The home side are safely in midtable but will still be fighting to record a top half place, despite it being a tough ask. Scunthorpe have endured a dreadful season and will be hoping that the inevitable happens sooner rather than later so they can start preparing for next year as soon as they can.
By Joshua Stewart
