A season-defining Easter weekend has arrived in the EFL!
Easter holds even greater significance this year, as only two matchweeks remain following the Bank Holiday action. Bradford City kicked off the action yesterday evening, missing the chance to go top of League Two as they were held by Play-Off chasing Notts County. The other 70 EFL sides are in action this afternoon across a bumper day of football.
Permutations This Afternoon
Shrewsbury Town’s relegation from League One can be confirmed today. Salop are twelve points adrift of safety, with four games remaining, and their impending drop could be confirmed before they host Wigan Athletic. If Burton Albion avoid defeat at Exeter City in the early kick-off, then the Shropshire side will be down. If the Brewers lose, then Shrewsbury will be relegated if they fail to win, or if Bristol Rovers gain at least a point at Wrexham. Cambridge United will join them if they lose to Huddersfield Town and one of Rovers or the Brewers are victorious.
Stockport County can seal a Play-Off spot this afternoon. The Hatters will be guaranteed a top-six finish if they defeat Peterborough United. Dave Challinor’s side can also be assured of a Play-Off berth regardless of their result at the EFL Trophy Champions. That is if both Leyton Orient and Bolton Wanderers drop points against Barnsley and Wycombe Wanderers, respectively. Charlton Athletic need to match the results of the seventh and eighth-placed outfits to confirm their position in the end-of-season competition. A win for Nathan Jones’ side against Northampton Town will also suffice, regardless of results elsewhere.
At the bottom of the EFL, Morecambe can go down if the Shrimps lose against Bromley and both Accrington Stanley and Tranmere Rovers win their respective games against Salford City and Doncaster Rovers.
What Has Already Been Decided?
Birmingham City were crowned League One Champions last Saturday after Wrexham dropped points. But the Blues couldn’t complete a league and cup double, as Peterborough United stunned Chris Davies’ side in the EFL Trophy Final. While the side from the Second City look to break a points record, Southampton will be trying to avoid that feat after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed two weeks ago. The Saints and Birmingham are the only two confirmed sides in the Championship next season. Elsewhere, the top four sides in the Championship are guaranteed a Play-Off place. Likewise, Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers have sealed top-six finishes in the third tier.
What To Watch On Good Friday?
Any of the twelve Championship games today still have something riding on them, as every second-tier side can still be promoted or relegated. While the odds of Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea City and Norwich City finishing in the bottom three or top six are no higher than 0.1%, it is still mathematically possible. This lunchtime, there is a huge relegation six-pointer as Derby County host Luton Town at a sell-out Pride Park.
Along with the automatic promotion race, three teams are in realistic contention for the final Play-Off spot in League One. Reading are in pole position with a three point gap to seventh place Leyton Orient, who host Barnsley. The Royals meanwhile are in action against Lincoln City.
In League Two, Port Vale look to move a step closer to promotion, while pushing Carlisle United closer to the trap door when they lock horns this afternoon. Promotion-chasing Walsall and AFC Wimbledon have home assignments against Harrogate Town and Chesterfield, while Doncaster Rovers travel to Tranmere Rovers. Colchester United and Grimsby Town are both at home in the Play-Off race, facing Crewe Alexandra and Swindon Town.
