15/05 - 19:30
15/05 - 20:00
15/05 - 20:00
16/05 - 20:00
15/05 - 19:30
15/05 - 20:00
15/05 - 20:00
16/05 - 20:00
15/05 - 20:00
It is a massive weekend in the EFL – as is every weekend this month – as we really do begin the run in with just a few games left of the 2023/24 campaign across the Championship, League One and League Two.
There are several permutations involving promotion and relegation that can be made official this weekend and this is a look ahead to a standout match from each of the three divisions in the EFL…
Preston North End vs Norwich City | 3pm on Saturday
The automatic promotion race and relegation battle is immense in the second-tier and will be in focus in the coming weeks but we have a huge game in the playoff race this weekend. Preston North End currently sit five points behind Norwich City but things are in their own hands as they have a game-in-hand on the Canaries and host Norwich this weekend at Deepdale. Ryan Lowe, who was under major pressure earlier this season, guided his side to a 4-1 defeat of Huddersfield Town on Tuesday evening and the Lancastrians have suffered one defeat in five matches. Norwich have been generally excellent in the second-half of this campaign but David Wagner’s side were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by struggling Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in midweek, making things a little more interesting for these last few weeks of the season.
Bolton Wanderers vs Portsmouth | 3pm on Saturday
Derby County’s goalless draw with Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park handed the initiative back to Bolton Wanderers because if the Trotters now win all four of their remaining matches then they will be promoted to the Championship. They come into this one on the back of back-to-back victories against Reading and Bristol Rovers with star striker Aaron Collins hitting some form as Nathan Baxter and Dion Charles return from long-term injury issues. The real story, though, could well be coming with the visitors. League leaders Portsmouth also benefitted from Derby’s slip up on Wednesday afternoon because a Pompey victory up in Lancashire will confirm them as champions of the third-tier. John Mousinho’s side have suffered just four defeats all season and have been comfortably the best team in the division.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📊Most goals scored in 23/24 (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFL</a> teams; all comps):<br><br>110⚽️: PETERBOROUGH<br>108⚽️: Bolton<br>96⚽️: Ipswich, Stockport<br>94⚽️: Wrexham<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pufc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#pufc</a> <a href="https://t.co/bQODyyudRs">pic.twitter.com/bQODyyudRs</a></p>— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/playmaker_EN/status/1778405839419642260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Milton Keynes Dons vs Mansfield Town | 3pm on Saturday
On a day in which Stockport County will likely confirm promotion to League One, it has to be a major clash to overshadow that and that is exactly what we have down in Buckinghamshire. Milton Keynes Dons, coached by former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson, sit two points behind Mansfield Town but have played a game more than the Stags so this is a crucial, must win clash for MK. Mansfield, with Nigel Clough still at the helm, earned a much-needed, hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Forest Green Rovers in midweek. They sit third and in the final automatic promotion place with their fate very much in their own hands. MK Dons had recently stuttered but got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win at Forest Green last weekend. It is not quite a promotion decider just yet but it really isn’t far off at Stadium: MK on Saturday afternoon.
