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Match Previews

Sky Bet EFL: Midweek preview

7 March 2017

The games are coming thick and fast, and becoming increasingly important, as we approach the business end of the Sky Bet Championship season.



Title test continues

Newcastle United have defeated two title rivals on the road in the past week, but face another tough away encounter at promotion-chasing Reading in an 8pm Tuesday night kick-off.

Quarter of an hour beforehand, Brighton & Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town get under way as they both bid to return to winning ways.

The Seagulls have suffered two straight losses and face rock-bottom Rotherham United, while Huddersfield Town - with one point from their last two games - host an Aston Villa side who have won three on the spin.

Wolves' worry

Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Ipswich Town on Tuesday night on the back of a five-game losing streak, and the club have gone sliding down the Sky Bet Championship as a result.

The last four fixtures between the pair have been drawn, and with Paul Lambert's men 21st and just one point above the bottom three, a similar result could see them overtaken by Bristol City, who take on Norwich City at Ashton Gate.

Around the grounds

Sheffield Wednesday hold sixth place and meet struggling Burton Albion at Hillsborough, and they will be hoping Yorkshire foes Leeds United can do them a favour against Fulham - the Cottagers are the closest challengers to the Owls for that final Play-Off place.

At the opposite end, Blackburn Rovers, who are unbeaten in three under Tony Mowbray, host Cardiff City, while Wigan Athletic travel to Birmingham City in need of victory to move within touching distance of safety.

Table: Click here to see the Sky Bet Championship table

Sky Bet Championship midweek fixtures

Tuesday 7th March 2017

Birmingham City v Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers v Cardiff City
Bristol City v Norwich City
Derby County v Preston North End
Fulham v Leeds United
Huddersfield Town v Aston Villa
Ipswich Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Nottingham Forest v Brentford
Queens Park Rangers v Barnsley
Reading v Newcastle United
Rotherham United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Sheffield Wednesday v Burton Albion

Social media: Follow @SkyBetChamp on Twitter for goal updates



Leading the way

Sheffield United are five points clear at the top of Sky Bet League One, and have the opportunity to extend their lead to eight points when they visit Oxford United on Tuesday night.

It's a game which pits Chris Wilder up against his former employers, and he will be confident with his Blades six games unbeaten ahead of the visit to the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford have been enjoying a good run of form too, however, and had won five out of six - and booked a Checkatrade Trophy Final place - prior to Saturday's defeat at home to Bristol Rovers.

Stopping the rot

Charlton Athletic and Scunthorpe United go head-to-head at The Valley with both sides badly out of form, and in need of points for differing reasons.

The hosts are winless in eight games, losing their last four, and those results have left the Addicks looking nervously at those sides below them. Sitting 16th and six points clear of safety, a win in this game in hand would give Karl Robinson's men a timely boost in the survival scrap.

As for the Iron, they have picked up three points from a possible 21 during their seven-game barren spell, which has seen them surrender second spot to Fleetwood Town - victory here would take them back into the automatic promotion places.

Around the grounds

The night's other game sees 23rd-placed Chesterfield go to Walsall in desperate need of points. Despite their victory at Swindon Town on Saturday, the Spireites remain eight points from safety.

Table: Click here to see the Sky Bet League One table

Sky Bet League One midweek fixtures

Tuesday 7th March 2017

Charlton Athletic v Scunthorpe United
Oxford United v Sheffield United
Walsall v Chesterfield

Social media: Follow @SkyBetLeagueOne on Twitter for goal updates



Gaining ground

We have just two midweek games in Sky Bet League Two, but they are both of huge importance in what is becoming an enthralling race for automatic promotion.

In a 7.30pm kick-off, Plymouth Argyle play their game in hand on leaders Doncaster Rovers, and three points against Blackpool would see them close the gap at the top to one point.

The night's other game sees Portsmouth go to Crawley Town, where victory for Pompey takes them into the top three at the expense of Carlisle United.

Table: Click here to see the Sky Bet League Two table

Sky Bet League Two midweek fixtures

Tuesday 7th March 2017

Crawley Town v Portsmouth
Plymouth Argyle v Blackpool

Social media: Follow @SkyBetLeagueTwo on Twitter for goal updates

Match officials: Click here to see the referees on EFL duty in midweek


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