EFL Championship Round 40 Preview: Team News and Form Guides for Every Game in the Round

EFL Championship Round 40 Preview: Team News and Form Guides for Every Game in the Round

As this weekend is Easter weekend, it means that there is a double header of games in the EFL and Championship fans get to watch their team play on both Good Friday and Easter Monday. As the season’s finish is fast approaching, these games are very important and have huge ramifications on every team’s final position come the first weekend of May.

This championship relegation battle is going to feed generations… 😅 pic.twitter.com/hd7wgLHxrW

— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) March 14, 2026

Let’s take a look at the fixtures taking place on Good Friday for Matchday 40.

Middlesbrough vs Millwall

This is a huge fixture when it comes to the top of the table as both teams come into this fixture in contention for automatic promotion. Both teams come into this game in slightly different form with Middlesbrough struggling currently at home with only two wins from their last five, whereas Millwall have won five from their last seven on the road.

In terms of team news, Middlesbrough come into the game with a few injury concerns to Morgan Whittaker, Tommy Conway, Alan Browne, and Hayden Hackney so they will be hoping that they are all fit and available.

As for Millwall, there are no fresh injury concerns which means that they are able to line up with the same eleven as last time out against Ipswich.

Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers

Birmingham come into the game with an outside shot at the play-offs, but with them being ten points behind Southampton in sixth place it looks unlikely. Whereas Blackburn are desperate to pick up points as they find themselves in a relegation battle and only four points above the drop zone.

As for team news, both sides come into the game with no new injuries it seems so there shouldn’t be much of a change to selection from their previous outings.

Charlton Athletic vs Bristol City

Roy Hodgson travels to the Valley for his first game back as Bristol City manager and both sides come into the game with not much to play for as the season approaches its finish. Charlton have picked up two wins in their last five home games, and Bristol City are looking for their first win in seven matches in all competitions.

Charlton come into the game with a few players back from injury, however Collins Sichenje and Reece Burke remain out. On the other hand, Roy Hodgson has a few injury concerns to deal with as Rob Atkinson, Rob Dickie and George Tanner are out for the season and Luke McNally and Joe Williams are also injured.

Leicester City vs Preston North End

Gary Rowett’s men are coming into this fixture in need of a result as time is running out for them as the battle for survival continues. With just one win from their last five home matches, the foxes are desperate to turn this form around and start picking up wins to try and make their way out of the relegation zone. As for Preston, they don’t have anything to play for as they are a way off the play off places and have enough points to not have to worry about the drop to League One.

As for team news, Gary Rowett remains without Aaron Ramsey and Jannik Vestergaard and there is a doubt as to whether Jordan James will pass a fitness test following his injury during the international break away with Wales.

As for Paul Heckingbottom’s men, Robbie Brady is a doubt after pulling out of the Republic of Ireland’s squad this week and Alistair McCann remains a doubt after his ankle injury a few weeks ago.

Norwich City vs Portsmouth

Norwich come into this game as one of the most in form teams across the whole league and still have an outside shot of reaching the play offs. Whereas Portsmouth are in a relegation battle and currently sit a point above the drop with no wins in their last five league matches. However, Norwich have failed to beat Portsmouth in their last three meetings at Carrow Road.

Both sides come into this meeting with a long list of injury concerns however, Portsmouth have had a big boost with the return of Keshi Anderson for the clash at Carrow Road.

Oxford Unites vs Hull City

This is certainly a meeting between two sides with a lot to play for at opposite ends of the Championship table. The home side come into the game in the relegation zone, one point a drift from safety but with a slight turn in form as they have won three of their last five games. On the other hand, Hull come into the game in the play off positions but with only six points from a possible 15 in their last five games.

As for team news, Oxford don’t have any fresh injury concerns but remain without Brian De Keersmaecker, Tyler Goodrham and Greg Leigh. As for Hull, Regan Slater remains a doubt after being substituted early during their match against Sheffield Wednesday, but defender Charlie Hughes is back and available after suspension.

Queens Park Rangers vs Watford

Queens Park Rangers are one of the sides that are already looking towards another Championship campaign next season as they sit in and around the middle of the table. Watford on the other hand have an outside shot at the playoffs as they sit in 9th place in the table, so every game is big for them.

The international break could have an impact on both teams as for Watford Isaac Hayden was away with Jamaica who played in the early hours of Wednesday morning, so Jonathan Varane could return to the midfield. As for Watford, Edo Kayembe was on the other side of the game on Wednesday morning as he was away with DR Congo and Nestory Irankunda was down under with Australia.

Sheffield United vs Swansea City

This is quite literally the definition of a match between two teams that are on the beach. Sheffield United come into the game on quite a poor run of form that has seen them only pick up one win from their last five games. Swansea are doing slightly better as they have managed two wins in five games, however they have failed to score in their last two.

As for team news, Sheffield United do not have any fresh injuries over the international break, but Swansea will be without Josh Key due to a hip injury and Ethan Galbraith is a doubt following dropping out of Northern Ireland’s international squad.

Stoke City vs Sheffield Wednesday

Although Stoke City are on a poor run of form and have nothing to play for anymore this season, they will be hoping they can pick up a win at home to Sheffield Wednesday, who have only managed to pick up one away victory all season.

Stoke City are without goalkeepers Viktor Johansson and Gavin Bazunu for this encounter and outfielders Ben Wilmot, Aaron Cresswell, Lewis Baker and Robert Bozenik are also unavailable. Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday have a long injury list themselves but are hoping that Di’Shon Bernard will be available after returning to training recently.

West Bromwich Albion vs Wrexham

Once again this is a match between two teams at opposite ends of the table. West Brom find themselves in a relegation battle to try to avoid League One football next season, however in recent weeks their form has taken a positive turn with four consecutive games unbeaten. On the other hand, Wrexham are in with a chance to continue their great rise up the pyramid as they currently sit outside the play offs on goal difference.

As for team news, James Morrison and West Brom are without Karlan Grant and Mikey Johnston due to injuries and Chris Mepham is a doubt due to a hamstring issue. The away side are missing a few players including Kieffer Moore, Matty James, Ben Sheaf and Liberato Cacace for the trip to the Hawthornes.

Coventry City vs Derby County

Coventry look set to get promoted to the Premier League as Champions of the Championship as they sit nine points clear at the top going into the last seven games of the season. Their opponents Derby are hoping to finish the season inside the top 6 however find themselves 3 points behind Southampton as things stand. It looks set to be a good game as Derby are one of the better sides away from home in the league and the alternate fixture earlier in the season was an eight-goal thriller.

As far as selection issues are concerned, Frank Lampard might be without Joel Latibeaudiere and Jay Da Silva due to the international break. In terms of injuries, Brandon Thomas-Asante is a doubt, but Jack Rudoni and Hagi Wright may be back and available.

For the away side, Sammie Szmodics will be out due to a head injury he suffered on international duty but apart from that there isn’t any other fresh injuries for the Rams.