We’re just a handful games away from the Championship, League One and League Two ending. TIBS News provides another EFL preview.
Championship
Fulham will hope they can take a huge step to securing the title on the south coast as they travel to Bournemouth. The London side secured promotion at Craven Cottage when they beat Preston 3-0, with Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring his 40th goal of the season. Bournemouth could go seven points clear of the chasing play-off pack should they win as they too search for a return to the Premier League.
Peterborough seek a vital three points when they host Nottingham Forest. Should the home side lose or Reading better their result, they will be relegated to League One after just one season in the second tier after a very underwhelming season. Forest will be looking to extend their good form as they try to consolidate their play-off place.
Blackpool will try to disrupt Luton’s play-off chances when they travel to Kenilworth Road. Coming into the game on the back of a 6-1 demolition of Birmingham, the Seasiders will be full of confidence. Luton continue to surprise everyone and, should they win, could almost ensure a play-off place in a remarkable season for the Hatters.
League One
Fleetwood welcome Wimbledon in a crucial relegation clash which could send the visitors down. If they fail to win, or fail to better Gillingham’s and Morecambe’s result, they will be sent down to League Two after so many years of great escapes. Fleetwood could escape the drop zone if they secure the win which would set-up a grandstand finish to the relegation escape race.
Sunderland have the chance to climb into sixth place with a win over Cambridge at the Stadium of Light. Cambridge have enjoyed a good season since last year’s promotion and will hope they can record a top-half finish. Sunderland are still desperately trying to escape the third tier and a win is crucial to secure a play-off spot as Alex Neil tries to be the man to restore glory to the black cats.
Wigan could secure promotion if they match MK Dons result when they host Plymouth. Wigan have enjoyed a great season after financial trouble in the last couple of years and have looked good value for their position as table toppers. In turn, Plymouth’s sudden wobble in form has seen them drop from the top and leaves them in danger of falling out of the top six.
League Two
Forest Green will earn promotion to League One if they avoid defeat at Bristol Rovers. The high-flying visitors seem to have recovered from a late-season stumble and need just a point to make sure they go up. Rovers are still fighting for a play-off place and could even sneak into the automatic promotion spots with a win.
Stevenage could secure safety in the Football League should they record an unlikely win over Tranmere and Oldham lose. The Boro have hit a slight patch of form in the most crucial part of the season as they currently sit four points ahead of the drop zone. Tranmere have fallen slightly after seeming shoe-ins for the automatic promotion spots and now occupy the last play-off spot with Mansfield breathing down their necks.
Swindon desperately need a win to get their play-off plan back on track as they travel to Hartlepool. The Robins are four points and four places out of the top seven but do have a game in hand on many teams around them as their hopes aren’t quite ruled out yet. Hartlepool have little to play for at this time as they sit comfortably midtable and will be playing to spoil Swindon’s day.
By Joshua Stewart
