13/05 - 17:30
13/05 - 19:45
13/05 - 20:00
13/05 - 20:00
The final day of the EFL regular season is upon us with the Championship and League Two finishing this weekend – following the conclusion of League One last weekend.
There is still a bit to sort out in both leagues… this is a brief look at the biggest matches from the two divisions ahead of the weekend’s final round of fixtures.
CHAMPIONSHIP
AFC Bournemouth vs MILLWALL
AFC Bournemouth confirmed their promotion to the Premier League on Tuesday night with a monumental 1-0 win at home to Nottingham Forest. However, they can still have an impact on the Championship with Millwall needing to win and hope one of, or both, Sheffield United or Luton Town lose as well as Middlesbrough dropping points to get into the top six and the playoff places.
Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers
Derby County vs Cardiff City
Huddersfield Town vs Bristol City
Hull City vs Nottingham Forest
LUTON TOWN vs Reading
Luton Town have had a remarkable season under Nathan Jones. They have one of the smallest budgets in the division but have a real chance of making it into the Premier League. The Hatters, though, were thrashed 7-0 by champions Fulham last week, meaning their goal difference has taken a hammering. The equation is simple: win and they finish top six. Anything else leads to complications.
Peterborough United vs Blackpool
Preston North End vs MIDDLESBROUGH
Middlesbrough are in a similar position to Millwall. However, Luton’s defeat at Fulham being so heavy means that Chris Wilder’s 'Boro will finish in the top six if they win and Luton fail to. They can also finish in the top six if they win and Sheffield United lose or they draw and ‘Boro complete a victory by a margin of at least two.
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs Fulham
The Blades were in the bottom-half for much of this campaign, following relegation last season. Paul Heckingbottom has led them into the top six now, though. They do have a tough game against the champions to finish the season. A point should be enough but, as mentioned, if ‘Boro win by two or more and Luton also win then United will fall out of the top six – even if they avoid defeat.
Stoke City vs Coventry City
Swansea City vs Queens Park Rangers
West Bromwich Albion vs Barnsley
LEAGUE TWO
Barrow vs NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Phil Brown’s Barrow have already achieved their goal of avoiding relegation but they still have a part to play in League Two. Northampton Town will be automatically promoted with a victory at Holker Street – presuming that Bristol Rovers don’t better The Cobblers’ potential win by a margin of five or more goals.
Bradford City vs Carlisle United
BRISTOL ROVERS vs Scunthorpe United
As mentioned, Northampton Town will be promoted from League Two if they win at Barrow – unless Bristol Rovers better their victory by five or more goals. Well, The Gas face bottom-of-the-table Scunthorpe United at home on the final day. The Irons have conceded 83 goals this season…
EXETER CITY vs PORT VALE
Exeter City still have something to play for, despite being automatically promoted about ten days ago. The Grecians went top-of-the-table last weekend and will be intent on going up as champions. They come up against a Port Vale side that are one of five teams that head into the final day with hopes, however realistic or slim, of finishing in the top three. However, they could also very well fall out of the playoff places if they lose, Sutton United win and Swindon Town avoid defeat.
Harrogate Town vs SUTTON UNITED
As just mentioned, Sutton United will be hoping to take advantage of potential dropped points across the country. If they better win and Swindon drop points or Port Vale and/or Mansfield Town lose then they will squeeze themselves into the top seven and the playoff places, following promotion last season.
Hartlepool United vs Colchester United
Leyton Orient vs TRANMERE ROVERS
Tranmere Rovers had been ridiculously defensively solid for much of this campaign and whilst their goals against record remains strong, they will need something fairly unlikely to happen on the final day to squeeze into the top seven. They will require Swindon to lose and Sutton to drop points in order to break into the playoff places.
MANSFIELD TOWN vs FOREST GREEN ROVERS
Nigel Clough’s Mansfield Town blew a golden opportunity to move into pole position in the automatic promotion race with a 2-2 draw against, as of then, playoff chasing Salford City last week. The Stags can still go up automatically if Bristol Rovers and Northampton both drop points. Forest Green Rovers will be looking to leapfrog Exeter City in the League Two title race.
Newport County vs Rochdale
Oldham Athletic vs Crawley Town
Stevenage vs Salford City
Walsall vs SWINDON TOWN
Swindon Town started the 2021/22 season with a completely new squad after a late but much-needed takeover in the summer. The Robins sit inside the top seven and the playoff places as it stands. A victory would keep them there.
