After a round of midweek fixtures for some teams in the EFL, we are back for another full schedule of football, starting with Hull City against Leeds United!
The midweek action saw all of the top four and all of the bottom three register victories in their fight for promotion and against relegation respectively, and the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon comes from the KCOM Stadium where an increasingly under-pressure Grant McCann pits his team against automatic hopefuls Leeds United.
The Tigers were beaten 1-0 by fellow relegation candidates Barnsley on home soil on Wednesday evening, taking their total to nine without a win in league action.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side however have been in perfect form over the past three games, winning all three including a vital 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside. A win on the road again will help towards their Premier League dream.
West Bromwich Albion still lead the way in the Sky Bet Championship and recorded an impressive 2-0 win over Preston North End in the week, making it five wins from six in the league. Slaven Bilic’s men host Wigan Athletic, who are also on their own run of form, in hope of staying in the division for another season.
Paul Cook’s side are unbeaten in their last four games and have pulled themselves level on points with Middlesbrough, who occupy the final ‘safe’ spot in the Championship. Another win for the Latics, as hard as it may be at the Hawthorns, could see them move up to 18th in the table, dependant on results.
Fulham left it late on Wednesday evening to make sure that they kept the pace with the runaway front two; Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 23rd league goal of the campaign with a bullet header, leaving Swansea ‘keeper Freddie Woodman with no chance.
The Cottagers are five points behind Leeds United and will be hoping to see off the threat of Play-Off hopefuls Preston North End, who are looking to bounce back after defeat to WBA.
Leaders Rotherham United and second-placed Coventry City came head-to-head in midweek but both teams had to settle for a draw at the St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium. Paul Warne’s side are back on home soil at the weekend, looking to record a victory against MK Dons.
The Millers sit top on goal difference, while the Dons are 18th in the league standings, and they are hoping for a better performance after a 3-1 loss to Portsmouth on Tuesday evening.
The aforementioned Coventry City will be hoping that draw can spur them on to another positive result on Saturday; promotion-chasing Sunderland AFC are the visitors on this occasion.
The Black Cats stole a point from the jaws of defeat on Tuesday night at the Stadium of Light against Fleetwood Town, Max Power’s 97t- minute strike keeping Sunderland’s unbeaten record intact and within a point of Wycombe Wanderers above them.
Speaking of the Chairboys, they face a 324-mile round trip to South Yorkshire as they go in search of three points at Doncaster Rovers. Wycombe have been performing above expectations in this Sky Bet League One season, one which sees them sit third in the standings.
Wins over Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers respectively have seen them keep the pressure on the two teams above them; however, Darren Moore’s side will be a sterner task for them to overcome as Rovers look to take significant strides towards the Play-Off places.
Swindon Town still lead the way in Sky Bet League Two but cannot take their foot off the gas with 12 games of the season remaining. The Robins come into their game against Mansfield Town on the back off another win last weekend, this time coming against Grimsby Town.
It has not been a season to remember for Mansfield however, as they find themselves in 21st position in the league standings but are 13 points clear of the relegation zone. Manager Graham Coughlan has only been in charge of the Stags since December, so is trying to put his own stamp on the club.
Crewe Alexandra kept the pressure on Swindon with a 2-0 win over Macclesfield Town last time out at Gresty Road, goals from Chris Porter and Middlesbrough loanee Stephen Walker secured the victory over their Cheshire rivals.
They travel to the Globe Arena to take on Morecambe who have started to pull away from the dreaded relegation zone in recent weeks. Despite surrendering a two-goal lead against Carlisle United, the Shrimps managed to walk away with a point from Brunton Park.
Cheltenham Town are starting to become the team to watch out for in this automatic promotion race, with late goals and impressive performances. The Robins were at it again on Tuesday night as Luke Varney came off the bench to turn the game on its head against Northampton Town.
Michael Duff’s side travel to Colchester United, who have also been impressive in league action and could, with a win, move to within two points of their counterparts.
