Football Park's EFL Championship Easter Monday Preview - What to Look Forward to in Every Game On MW 41

Football Park's EFL Championship Easter Monday Preview - What to Look Forward to in Every Game On MW 41

After the 2 day break we see the Championship back in action as we approach the final few games of the season. This week we will start to see what the final table will look like as teams look to start to be safe from relegation and the top teams look to make their places at the top more secure. So, what can we look forward to in the 11 games on Monday?

Relegation 6 Pointer - Portsmouth vs Oxford United

This is one massive game to start the weekend off for both sides. We see two teams who are within a point of each other and can easily drop in and out of the relegation zone.

For Portsmouth a win would do a lot. Having seen 5 games without a win it would boost their confidence while also pushing them a potential 4 points clear of the relegation zone giving some daylight between them and the drop.

However, Oxford will be desperate. They are just 1 point away from dragging themselves away from the relegation zone depending on their result later today. After 3 straight wins they will be hoping they can get back on track and rescue their season late on.

One Team to Find Some Daylight in the Battle for Survival - Blackburn Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion

We go from one fight at the bottom to another with this one. Both sides are currently safe 4 points above the drop. However, if one was to lose depending on the early kick off, they could quickly become in danger.

Blackburn will be hoping to add another win to their sole win in the last 5 matches. They have struggled lately but would’ve hoped that the massive win against Millwall and draw to Middlesbrough would’ve turned things around. They will now be hoping that this confidence boost and home fans will push them to take all 3 points from this match.

As for West Brom, they have managed to take 3 points from their last 2 matches. They will now be hoping to add a 3rd and take 9 points from the last 3 matches. This should be enough to boost their confidence to keep them going and help them survive for the season.

Can Either Side Find Some Form – Bristol City vs Sheffield United

Going into this game both sides look to be safe from the threat of relegation this season. Bristol sits in 16th place on 51 points while Sheffield United is just a point below them. They both appear to be safe unless something drastic happens.

However, neither side is having any type of good form. Between them they have seen just 1 win in the last 10 matches. This game is a very good chance for either side to take the 3 points and find some form pushing them forward as they try to get as strong a finish as they can. This will be the main driving factor for both sides to win this game and with Bristol having the home fans behind them, they might just have the edge going into this game.

Can Derby Return to the Top 6 – Derby County vs Stoke City

Derby was one of the teams a few weeks ago alive and active in the conversation for promotion however, they have seemed to slip away even after some strong form. Sitting in 8th place.

They have managed to take 12 points from 15 possible however, now find themselves 4 points behind the promotion places and will be hoping that the teams above them drop points while they keep gaining points. While they should win this game based on current form, they have struggled against Stoke recently having lost 2 of the last 3 meetings between the 2 sides.

This will be a vital game for Derby as they look to return to the Premier League next season.

Can QPR Keep Their Winning Going – Preston North End vs Queens Park Rangers

Both these sides sit side by side in the table and both have managed wins in their most recent matches as time of writing. However, QPR will be looking to make this a possible 4 match winning streak. They have won 2 matches in a row and currently face Watford as they look to make it 3 in a row. If they achieve this it would be the first time since August, they have done 3 in a row.

However, with Preston close to them, they could finally extend that longest streak to a possible 4 wins something they haven’t done in 5 years. This would truly be an achievement for them and a very strong way to look to end the season.

Goal to the good ☝️@tokenfi 🔗 https://t.co/86npaZoOVa pic.twitter.com/5ZuFAAcG2F

— QPR FC (@QPR) April 3, 2026

Can Leicester Survive – Sheffield Wednesday vs Leicester City

A massive game at the bottom of the league for both sides. Sheffield who sits bottom will be hoping that they can take the 3 points or even a point as they look to achieve the goal of reaching positive points again.

However, the main focus for this game sits on Leicester as they look to survive this season in the Championship. Currently in and around the relegation zone Leicester will be hoping that they can get some more points on the table before the season ends. If there was ever a chance for them to leave the relegation zone, this Monday is the day. With so many teams around them also facing each other the chance of escaping is higher than ever and gives them the best chance to stay a Championship side come the 26/27 season.

Work to do in the second half.#LEIPNE | @BCGame pic.twitter.com/fJSC4vJ3MU

— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 3, 2026

Is it Possible for Watford to Make a Late Charge for Promotion – Watford vs Charlton Athletic

Watford currently sit in 9th place 7 points behind a possible playoff place. So, can they do the unlikely and have a late charge for promotion if they win on Monday? While it seems unlikely, it could still happen if results go their way.

They will be facing a Charlton whose season looks to already be over currently sitting 9 points safe from the drop and comfortable in 18th place. Therefore, they will have a strong chance to be able to take all 3 points. With some of the teams sitting just above them facing sides in the promotion places, they could have a strong chance of closing the gap. Therefore, we could see a chance that they make a late charge for promotion.

The Battle for Automatic Promotion – Millwall vs Norwich, Ipswich Town vs Birmingham City, Swansea City vs Middlesbrough

There are some massive matches on Monday around the playoffs and promotion. After the early kick-off we saw Millwall push into the automatic promotion place somewhere that Middlesbrough had been holding for a long time. However, they now have taken it. They will look to strengthen their claim on Monday when they face Norwich at home and will hope to take all 3 points keeping them in the automatic place.

However, two sides will be having their own say about that with Middlesbrough and Ipswich both looking to keep the pressure on that valuable second place finish. Middlesbrough will be taking a trip to Wales to face Swansea a place that they have enjoyed recently but historically have struggled at. It won’t be an easy match; however, they will be confident that they can take all 3 points.

As for Ipswich they will be looking to take a win at home keeping the gap a limited as possible until they play their game in hand. Having the fact that Birmingham have never beaten them while facing them at home, they will be more confident than ever that they will keep pace with the other 2 sides and look to take it when they play the game in hand.

Coventry to Take the Last Step Towards the League – Coventry City vs Hull City

We end the Easter Monday off with the biggest game of the day. A match between the top of the league and promotion hunting Hull City. Coventry has all but confirmed their place in the Premier League for next season and will now just be looking for the Championship trophy while Hull are still hunting and making sure, they can play in the playoffs.

It’s a fixture that Hull have won the majority in, however, have struggled at home. In the 6 matches played at Hull, Coventry have walked away with 2 wins to Hulls 1. Can Hull level this up while trying to secure their place in the promotion spots?