EFL fixtures 28-30 March: 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.
So here are the top five EFL games going on this weekend.
Sheffield United vs Coventry City – Friday 28, 8PM KO
Kicking us off on Friday night with one of the stand out EFL fixtures are two of the big hitters in the Championship as Sheffield United host Coventry City.
Two of the major form teams in the league, the Blades will be looking to take back top spot from Leeds United, before they play on Saturday. As for Frank Lampard’s Coventry, a win here would be a huge scalp, alongside cementing the team’s play-off place, with a win moving them five points above seventh places Bristol City.
The last time the two teams went at it, it lived up to the hype. A 2-2 draw with Bobby Thomas getting the late equalizer. Here’s hoping for another big game.
Colchester vs Grimsby Town – Friday 28, 7:45PM KO
Another one of the big EFL fixtures on Friday night, this time down in League Two as a pair of play-off hopefuls go at it, with Grimsby Town heading to Colchester United.
These two teams are separated by just a point, with Grimsby occupying the last play-off spot in seventh, and Colchester lurking in eighth.
Under EFL stalwarts the Cowley brothers, Colchester have a had a huge turnaround in fortune going on a 13-game unbeaten run, before being brought down to earth by Bradford City in their last match. In contrasting fortunes, Grimsby have fallen off the pace, winning just two of their last five.
Can United comeback from defeat and crack into the play-offs? Or will David Artell’s Mariners hold them off?
Hull City vs Luton Town – Saturday 29, 12:30PM KO
A huge relegation six-pointer at the bottom of the Championship, as Hull City face Luton Town in a Saturday early kick off.
Luton are four points from safety, whilst Hull are just three points above the relegation zone, a win for either team would be a huge step towards securing safety. Both sides enter this game on the back of a draw, but it is Hull who have the better form, only losing one of their last five.
This one is all set up for a nervy affair, with a win meaning so much. A game that may start off with 1-0 all over it but could light up into something special.
Charlton Athletic vs Huddersfield Town – Saturday 29, 12:30PM KO
Our only pick for our EFL fixtures in League One this weekend sees us back talking about a play-off race. Huddersfield Town travel down to Charlton Athletic as they look to cement their place in the final play-off place.
The Terriers have seen themselves fall off after a strong start to the season. After sacking manager Michael Duff, they have managed to recover slightly but are still stuttering their way into the top six, with this game being huge for their campaign.
Under Nathan Jones, Charlton have been a revelation, powering their way from outside hopefuls to serious promotion candidates.
Charlton come into this game on the back of surprise loss to lowly Peterborough United, they will be hoping that doesn’t tarnish their build up to this huge game. If Huddersfield win, they would be four points above the chasing Bolton Wanderers, if Charlton get the three points, it would be hard to see them fall out of the top six.
Walsall vs Wimbledon – Saturday 29, 3PM KO
The last pick for this weekend sees us head back into League Two, again previewing a huge game with play-off and promotion implications. Walsall host Wimbledon as they look to hold on to top spot in the league, with Wimbledon hunting them down.
At one point Walsall were 12 points clear at the top of the league. Then Stoke City recalled forward Nathan Lowe and that gap is just a single point. To prove more of a point, Lowe is still the side’s top scorer, and he last played for them on January 11. The drop off has been staggering.
Walsall haven’t won in their last six games, they desperately need to hold off second place Bradford City, and Saturday’s opponents Wimbledon.
For Wimbledon, form has been inconsistent, but they have managed to remain inside the top three, yet space is running out, with Port Vale level on points and Doncaster Rovers just a point behind. A win here would not only be incredibly important for their own promotion hopes but seriously damaging to Walsall with their continued form.
A huge game at the top of the league, this one could be the blockbuster of the weekend.
Honourable Mentions
There are never just five games of importance in the EFL so here’s some honourable mentions.
Bolton Wanderers travel to in form Blackpool, as they look to somehow break the derby hoodoo and get a win at Bloomfield Road that would allow them to get back into the League One play-off places.
Bradford City head to Accrington Stanley knowing a win will take them top of League Two if Walsall slip up. Accrington will be hoping to stop that and get some vital points in their relegation fight.
Burnley play Bristol City in the battle of the in-form teams at the top of the Championship. A win for Burnley keeps them in the chase for the top-two, whilst Bristol need points if they are to make it into the play-offs
Very nice article Matt! Love your selection of fixtures