Five Standout Fixtures In The EFL This Week

As the football season nears its finale, many times have it all to play for, with the race's automatic promotion, play-off spots, and survival still not complete.

As excitement and pressure begin to build, what are the standout fixtures in the EFL over the next week?

Blackpool vs Reading: Tuesday, 1 April – League One

The first standout game in the EFL this week is a giant in League One. Hosting Reading under the lights on Tuesday, Blackpool have been in strong form in recent weeks, winning four out of their last five matches and sitting 10th in the table. Striker Ashley Fletcher has been a key part of that form, scoring four goals in his last five matches. Nevertheless, as Blackpool meet Reading, it is an enormous fixture for the home side, as they remain five points behind the visitors, who occupy the final spot in the League One play-offs. For Steve Bruce’s side, if their ambition is to be in the playoffs, the fixture against Reading is a must-win.

Comparatively, Reading, while they have had their issues off the field, have been positive on it. Unbeaten in 11 games, Reading have everything to play for with eight games remaining and just one point separating them from 7th spot. Harvey Knibbs has been in fantastic form for the Royals, scoring 13 league goals this season and two goals in his last three matches. With an important fixture against Wycombe next time-out, Reading need to pick up a result against Blackpool, and dent the potential of a Blackpool play-off push. This game sets out as a box-office fixture in League One that is guaranteed goals, combined the two teams have scored 17 goals in their last five matches, and the result will be significant in the race for the play-offs.

Luton vs Leeds: Saturday, 4 April – Championship

Next, we move to the Championship in what is a large game at both the top and the bottom end of the table. Leeds United looked almost cry and dry in the race for promotion to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United 3-1 at Bramall Lane. However, since that result, Leeds have begun to stumble, winning once in their last five matches. Frustration is a word that is beginning to set back in at Elland Road. Swansea equalising in added time in the previous fixture, following an Illan Meslier error. The French goalkeeper is beginning to come under fire after several errors that have cost the Yorkshire club this season. For Leeds, with seven games to go, Daniel Farke’s side sit on level points with 3rd placed Burnley - this game is a must-win against a team at the bottom of the table.

Whereas Luton have had a nightmare season since being relegated from the top-flight, sitting in 23rd in the table, and starring back-to-back relegations in the face. Losing manager Rob Edwards has a big loss for the Haters, but Luton’s players have simply not been able to mirror the same they showed in the Premier League. However, after winning three out of their last five games, Luton are beginning to show life at the bottom of the table. With just two points separating themselves and safety, a win against Leeds would be gigantic for Luton. Isiah Jones is a man to watch for the home side, the Englishman having impressed since joining from Middlesborough.

Coventry vs Burnley: Saturday, 4 April - Championship

Another game in the Championship this week that is a standout is Coventry vs Burnley. A big game, but this game is exclusively at the top of the table. Coventry City have been a different outfit under Frank Lampard, sat 5th in the table and have forced their name into the play-off equation. While the Sky Blues may have lost two out of their last three matches, Lampard’s side were formerly on a run of five straight victories. Striker Haji Wright has been superb, scoring 10 goals, alongside Jack Rudoni, who has been Coventry’s creator, providing 10 assists. After losing 3-0 against Leeds in the previous fixture, the Midlands side will hope for a different result at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Burnley, on the other hand, have quickly established themselves under Scott Parker. Parker creating a robust and defensively strong outfit that wins games due to their strong core. Burnley have conceded just 11 goals in the Championship and come into the fixture, with four wins and a draw in their last five games. 22-year-old James Trafford has been the best goalkeeper in the division, keeping 27 clean sheets in 38 league matches alongside Marcus Edwards, who has shown signs of brilliance since joining on loan from Sporting in January – scoring one goal and assisting once in eight league appearances. To win, Burnley will have to be at their best once again defensively, facing a Coventry side that have scored six goals in their last two games. However, this is a crucial game for Parker’s side as Burnley continue their race for second place against Leeds United.

West Brom vs Sunderland: Saturday, 5 April – Championship

The Championship is where to be this weekend if you want entertainment, as there is one final fixture that is a standout. West Brom vs Sunderland sets up to be a large fixture in the race for the Championship play-offs. West Brom, the hosts, sit in the 6th spot, on level points with the 7th and 8th-placed Middlesbrough and Bristol City. Points cannot be dropped for the Baggies, as an impressive season comes down to seven games. Coming into the fixture, West Brom have one once and lost once in their last five fixtures after facing teams in and around the automatic spots.

On the other hand, Sunderland sit in 4th, with automatic promotion almost out of reach – play-off promotion is now the aim for the Black Cats. Jobe Bellingham is a man to watch after a stellar season and impressing over the international break. It was a win last time out against Millwall, and Sunderland will hope to begin to be momentum going into the business end of the season. After the previous fixture ended 0-0 between these two teams, this fixture sets up as one that could catch fire at the top of the table and a game that carries a large amount of importance.

Walsall vs Port Vale: Saturday, 4 April – League Two

For the final standout game in the EFL this week, we are moving down to League Two and into the race for promotion to League One. Walsall hosts Port Vale, and for the home side, it needs to be more of the same. Walsall sit top of the League Two table, with four points separating themselves and 4th placed Doncaster in the race for the automatic promotional spots. The Midlands club were a dominant force at the start of the season, but in recent weeks, that train has begun to slow down, with Walsall winless in their last seven matches, while facing a test against Doncaster on Tuesday. With just seven games to go, Mat Sadler’s sit need to quickly build momentum to regain their seat as the drivers in the race for automatic promotion.

On the other hand, Port Vale occupy the final spot for automatic promotion, sitting in 3rd place. Facing 2nd place Bradford on Tuesday, Port Vale are getting through their fixtures quietly, often scoring one goal and relying upon their defensive abilities. With Doncaster breathing down their neck – just one point behind them, Port Vale will hope for a different result against Walsall after losing 1-0 in the reverse fixture, in what looks like a barn-stormer at the top of the League Two table at the weekend.