As we approach the business end of the season, the EFL fixtures 2024/25 continue to deliver drama across all three divisions. From promotion showdowns to relegation battles, this weekend is packed with high-stakes matchups that could shape the final league tables. Here’s a look at the biggest games to watch
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 EFL games going on this weekend.
Luton Town vs Coventry City – Saturday 26, KO 12:30PM
Thanks to the always wonderful scheduling gods, all of the huge matchups in the EFL this weekend have been made early kick offs. So good luck to anyone travelling from Stoke to London for the Port Vale game.
Anyway, kicking off the round up in the Championship is Luton Town taking on Coventry City.
Despite their fixture list, Luton are still alive in their hunt for survival. Matt Bloomfield’s side recorded two wins over Easter weekend, results that see them level on points with Derby County in 23rd.
Frank Lampard’s Coventry still occupy the final play-off spot but lost in their last game to lowly Plymouth Argyle. The gap is currently just three points and goal difference isn’t on their side.
The Hatters may view this as their hardest game to go, hoping that both Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion will be on holiday in their next two fixtures.
This game is a true six-pointer that could significantly affect both ends of the table.
Bristol Rovers vs Reading – Saturday 26 KO 12:30PM
Down into League One and the must win games just keep on coming.
Bristol Rovers host Reading knowing they need a win to keep their survival hopes alive.
Rover’s form has continued to dip, as the team sits level on points with Burton Albion in the relegation zone. The team know anything, but a win won’t do, as should Burton beat Cambridge United and Rovers fail to win, goal difference would make it almost impossible to stay up.
Reading have been on an almighty run but a 1-0 loss to Lincoln City on Good Friday has seen Leyton Orient leapfrog them into the play-offs. A win here good see them back in the top six, with Orient having to play Wycombe Wanderers, who are still chasing second.
Quite literally the definition of a six-pointer.
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe Wanderers – Saturday 26, KO 12:30PM
Play-offs and promotions. They never get easier on the stress department. Leyton Orient have made it into the top six but now they have to face Wycombe Wanderers, who are desperate to get back into the top two automatic promotion places.
Orient have hit form at just the right moment. Winning four out their last five and jumping Reading into six. Richie Wellens side look like they can beat anyone but this will be their biggest test.
Wycombe aren’t exactly in bad form but any sort of loss right now, is a bad loss. On Easter Monday, the side lost 4-0 to Charlton Athletic, seeing the Addicks move up to just two points behind them and Wrexham back into the top two.
This week it’s Wrexham’s turn to face Charlton, potentially opening the door for Wycombe but Orient won’t be willing to give up points easily, knowing their form and what they have at stake.
A game incredibly difficult to call but one with so many implications.
Wimbledon vs Port Vale – Saturday 26, KO 12:30PM
Down into the EFL’s craziest promotion race, Wimbledon host Port Vale in League Two.
Both sides failed to win over Easter Weekend and yet both could still finish in those top three places.
For Wimbledon the case is much harder, five points off the top three with just one win in their last five.
That being said, Port Vale’s last two results would suggest that nerves may have begun to creep in. Vale sit second having become the leagues in form side but like every League Two side that does, they made it to the top and began to fall off.
A win for Port Vale in London could see them promoted, should Walsall fail to win. Wimbledon need to win to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive or have to settle for the lottery of the play-offs.
Doncaster Rovers vs Bradford City – Saturday 26 12:30PM
Doncaster are the only side in this promotion race that have done everything they have to do. Rovers have won three out of their last five and took six points over Easter weekend. For them, its as simple as a win means promotion. Simple.
For Bradford, it’s not that simple. The Bantams have joined the stuttering cast of other teams vying for promotion, winning just one of their last five games and losing two. They now sit just one point above Walsall in fourth with things getting squeaky into the final two games.
Whilst Walsall may not be able to buy a win at the moment, losing in Doncaster will take City’s race down the last day, something I’m sure every Bantams fan would like to avoid.
Doncaster win and they are up, Bradford win and Walsall lose and they are promoted. Absolutely huge.
Just one honourable mention for this week. In the EFL’s only 5:30PM KO, Wrexham host Charlton Athletic.
Nathan Jones’s Charlton knocked off Wycombe last week and will be looking to take out Wrexham here. A win would take them a point behind the Welsh side, bringing the automatic promotion race down to the final day.
For Wrexham, it’s as simple as win and Wycombe lose, they are up or win and it keeps it in their hands heading into the final day of the season. Phil Parkinson’s men are on the same goal difference as Wycombe, so shipping goals isn’t an option here.