All 72 EFL sides are in action on a packed Bank Holiday Monday that is set to have huge ramifications across the three divisions, with so much up for grabs.
Easter Monday Permutations
There are 34 games following Newport vs Walsall, with the promotion-chasing Saddlers currently goalless in South Wales. While the late kick-off in the Championship is monumental in terms of the promotion race, as the top two can both be promoted depending on the result of Burnley vs Sheffield United.
Championship
Starting with the second tier, the automatic promotion race could be over this evening. Leeds United require three points at 3pm today, but they need a favour from Burnley in the teatime kick-off. If the Clarets defeat third-place Sheffield United, they and Leeds will be promoted. That is as long as the Whites have defeated Mark Robins’ side. A victory for Daniel Farke’s side, coupled with a draw in that tantalising later kick-off, would also be enough for Premier League football to return to West Yorkshire outfit.
Bristol City will seal their Play-Off spot this afternoon if the Robins win at Luton Town and Middlesbrough lose against Sheffield Wednesday. At a congested bottom end of the table, no one can be mathematically relegated today. But Plymouth Argyle will be all but down if Coventry City defeat them, either Luton or Derby County win, and Hull take at least a point against Preston North End. That would leave the Pilgrims six points adrift of safety, with a vastly inferior goal difference to at least two of the teams sides above them.
League One
At the top of League One, Wycombe Wanderers regained second spot from Wrexham on Friday, and the race for the top two could go from four to two later today. Stockport’s hopes are already incredibly slim, though the Hatters will be eyeing confirmation of their top-six spot today. Only a defeat against Huddersfield Town and victories for both Leyton Orient and Reading would deny Dave Challinor’s outfit their Play-Off place. But their superior goal difference already makes it unlikely they will be caught. Charlton Athletic are the final side in the hunt, facing the Chairboys today and Wrexham on Saturday, needing two massive wins.
Crawley Town’s impending relegation to League Two will be confirmed today if they don’t match the results of either Bristol Rovers or Burton Albion. Scott Lindsey’s side host Exeter City, while Rovers play Stevenage, and the Brewers host Champions Birmingham City. Cambridge United can also be relegated if they fail to defeat Play-Off chasing Leyton Orient and one of the above-mentioned sides are victorious.
League Two
With only four points separating as many teams at the top of League Two, no side can be promoted with three games remaining. All focus turns to the bottom of the EFL, as two teams could drop out of the pyramid this afternoon. Morecambe have to win against Salford City to keep their faint hopes alive. Even a victory wouldn’t be enough, though, if Tranmere pick up three points on the road at Barrow. Cumbrian rivals Carlisle United will have one eye on that result, as they look for a fourth straight win to continue their great escape.
Mark Hughes’ side are at 21st-placed Accrington Stanley, knowing a win will leave them three points adrift of Accy, and potentially only one point behind Tranmere. A draw wouldn’t be enough to relegate Carlisle, regardless of Tranmere’s result. But an Accrington win, along with three points for Rovers, would send the Cumbrians down to the National League. That is the only scenario that would relegate them today.
