There’s never a dull moment in the EFL, with three leagues of complete madness going on throughout the season. Even if you support a club within the EFL, it can still be hard to keep up with what’s going on or know which are the matches to pay the most attention to.
This weekend is a bumper Easter fixture list so forgive me when this list is a little more than five games but trust me it’s worth it. There’s a whole lot going on.
So, it’s that time again, here are the top five-ish EFL games going on this weekend.
Derby County vs Luton Town – Friday 18, 12:30PM KO
Kicking us off on Good Friday is a lovely little relegation battle between Derby County and Luton Town.
Just three points separate the two teams, with Derby being on the right side of the relegation zone in 21st and Luton on the wrong side in 23rd.
The Rams brought in John Eustace to keep them in the Championship and overall, he has turned results around, although the team have drawn their last two fixtures, keeping them in a fight to stay up.
Matt Bloomfield’s Luton are just about to hit panic stations, if it wasn’t for Cardiff City’s poor form their situation could be a lot worse. Whilst the team are difficult to beat, they are failing to turn draws into wins, something that they have to do to get out of the bottom three.
A huge game to kick off the weekend’s fixtures, Luton win and they are level with Derby, Derby win and it is one step closer to staying in England’s second division.
Coventry City vs West Bromwich Albion – Friday 18, 3PM KO
It’s 6th vs 7th in the Championship with Coventry City hosting West Bromwich Albion.
West Brom are three points behind Coventry, who sit in the last play-off spot, but have the superior goal difference. A win here would see them in the top six by at full time.
In the race for those play-off places, it is incredibly tight, with three teams on 60 points and 5th and 6th on 64 and 63 respectively. Beating the teams around you in imperative to get into the hat.
Frank Lampard’s Coventry have seen their form stutter in recent games, winning just two of their last five to cling on to the last spot.
As for West Brom, Tony Mowbray’s men finally got a win against Watford, after losing three games straight.
A huge game in the play-off race, one that could look drastically different by Tuesday morning.
There’s a lot more going on Friday and I’ll get into that in the honourable mentions but the big games on Sunday might just out way those on Friday.
Luton Town vs Bristol City – Monday 21, 3PM KO
Relegation battle vs play-off push, as Luton Town face Bristol City on Easter Monday.
As we know Luton take on Derby County on Friday with a chance to go level on points with them. Bristol City play play-off rivals Sunderland on the same day, but the Robins can’t fall out of the top six no matter the result that day.
For Liam Manning’s team, should they lose on Friday, losing here could put them at risk of dropping out. Winning here could put them one step closer to confirming their position, a win in both certainly would.
Luton fans don’t need me to put it any other way, they are all must win. Results in both games could get them out but regardless, Matt Bloomfields side have to go for it, just like Bristol City, this game could be a cracker.
Wycombe Wanderers vs Charlton Athletic – Monday 21, 3PM KO
A huge game for the pair in their campaigns to get out of League One as Wycombe Wanderers play Charlton Athletic.
Wycombe are hunting down Wrexham, who occupy the second automatic promotion spot. At present they sit four points off the Welsh side and travel to Bolton Wanderers on Friday. A result their and others going their way and there is a chance that gap is just a point, adding to the severity of this game.
Nathan Jones’s Charlton Athletic are just about there in the play-off race. They sit 5th, 10 points above 7th placed Leyton Orient. Should they get past Northampton Town on Friday, beating Wycombe would almost definitely confirm their top six place.
A huge game for both, more so for Wycombe, who may well have to win out to chase down Hollywood’s heartthrobs Wrexham.
Accrington Stanley vs Carlisle United – Monday 21, 3PM KO
A basement battle and a half as Accrington Stanley play Carlisle United on Sunday.
At the time of writing the gap is six points between the pair. Accrington play Salford City on Friday, a team with an outside chance at the play-offs. Carlisle plays top of the table Port Vale, who are in superb form.
There is a chance the gap could be down to three with Carlisle having a chance to get level on points with Accrington in order to escape the bottom three.
Should Stanley beat Salford, Carlisle lose to Port Vale, a win for the hosts would confirm relegation for Mark Hughes’s United. This game is monumental.
Accrington haven’t won in their last five and blew a three-goal lead to Tranmere Rovers last week. Carlisle have won their last two and simply cannot afford to draw or lose another game.
Not many games bigger than this one.
Plymouth Argyle vs Coventry City – Monday 21, 3PM KO
After facing off against a team hunting down the top six in Middlesbrough on Friday, Plymouth Argyle face yet another team hoping to do the same, as Coventry City travel to Cornwall.
If results fall their way, Plymouth could be outside of the bottom three by Monday, but it would be by no more than a point meaning there would still be a long way to go. Should everything go wrong, a loss in this game could all but relegate Argyle.
For Coventry, it is all about stacking those wins and confirming that play-off place. A win at home to West Brom on Friday and then again here would create the possibility of Lampard’s team mathematically confirming their place.
A game that could seriously affect both ends of the table.
Burnley vs Sheffield United – Monday 21, 8PM KO
At the top of the EFL this is the big one. A game that genuinely could decide who makes the Premier League.
On Friday, Burnley play Watford looking to add another win to their tally and climb back to first. Sheffield United play Cardiff City having lost their last three games. The gap is currently five points.
If both sides win on Friday, and Burnley beat United in this game they will be promoted. If Leeds United also win both their games and the scenario is the same, it would see them also promoted and Chris Wilder’s team having to settle for the play-offs.
For United it is hit and hope now but they cannot afford to lose on Friday or in Lancashire on Monday. There is no two ways about, this game will most likely decide the Championship promotion fight.
No questions, the biggest game of Easter weekend.
Honourable Mentions
Far too many games to pick from this weekend so here’s some more to look out for.
On Friday, Bristol City host Sunderland in a game that could be a play-off rehearsal, with both looking to head in with good form.
Middlesbrough take on Plymouth Argyle, Argyle desperate for points and Michael Carrick’s team in need of wins to make those play-offs.
In League One, Wrexham host Bristol Rovers, hoping to pull away in second place. Rovers need to find some form having dropped into the bottom four.
Down in League Two Wimbledon take on Chesterfield, needing wins to get back in the top three or settle for the play-offs. Chesterfield are after that top seven but running out of time.
Carlisle travel to Port Vale knowing only wins will do in their battle for league survival. Port Vale are in form and know a win will see them one step closer to promotion and eve the league title.
Onto Monday and West Brom face Derby County. Both teams will still be desperate for points in the fight to complete their goals, albeit at opposite ends of the table.
Finally, back into League Two with Port Vale facing Grimsby Town. Should results go in Vale’s favour, a win at home could see them promoted. No matter what happens on Friday, Grimsby will be needing a win to cling onto the final play-off spot.
We have no doubt missed out on some big ones in this list so keep your eyes on the EFL this weekend for some outstanding matchups that will be season defining.
