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Preview: What's coming up this weekend?

4 March 2021

There's another weekend of EFL action on the way, and it all begins on Friday night!

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Huddersfield Town v Cardiff City (Friday 19:45)

It has been a tough couple of months for Huddersfield Town; with results not going their way, they have slipped down the table and find themselves just five points above the drop zone.

The Terriers have only won once in 2021, that coming back in February in a 4-1 over Swansea City. They host Cardiff City on Friday night who, under Mick McCarthy, have been on a fantastic run since his appointment.

Seven wins in eight games for the Bluebirds have seen them rise to within two points of the last Championship Play-Off place, which is currently held by AFC Bournemouth.

Barnsley v Birmingham City

Barnsley are also coming into form at the perfect time, and after a 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers in midweek, made it six wins in a row for the Tykes. Alex Mowatt’s stunning free-kick was the highlight of the goals at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Wednesday night.

Valerien Ismael’s side only sit outside the Play-Off places by a point, and would have been in them after that win over QPR, but for Cameron Carter-Vickers’ late winner for Bournemouth keeping the Cherries in sixth spot.

Birmingham City are the visitors to Oakwell on Saturday, and will be hoping for three valuable points as they look to steer clear of the relegation zone. Aitor Karanka’s men are three points above the drop zone and managed a midweek draw against Huddersfield Town.

But Rotherham below them have two games in hand over Blues - we will certainly have an interesting relegation battle on our hands as the season’s conclusion draws in.

Brentford v Rotherham United 

Brentford still hold second place, despite having a rollercoaster record of late. These next 12 games will be the biggest in their season with Watford hot on their tail.

After losing to league leaders Norwich City on Wednesday night, there is now a 10-point gap between the top two, and with the Hornets winning below them, they are now level on points with the Bees.

Everything is warming up nicely ahead of their game on 1 May at the Brentford Community Stadium, but we will have to wait for that one.

Rotherham United make the trip to West London at the weekend looking to make it two wins on the spin. Freddie Ladapo was the hero for the 10-man Millers in midweek, netting a 96th-minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.


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Gillingham v Ipswich Town

The early kick-off in Sky Bet League One comes from Priestfield Stadium as Gillingham host Ipswich Town.

Paul Cook has been brought in to Portman Road in recent weeks to ensure that the Tractor Boys secure a place within the Play-Off places this season.

They are just two points off those places and, with 16 games left of the season, it is not out of their reach.

Gillingham were 3-2 winners in midweek against Milton Keynes Dons, helping them to their first win in three league games. Steve Evans will certainly have one eye on next season, with his side in mid-table.

Burton Albion v Peterborough United

Since his arrival at the Pirelli Stadium, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has certainly sprinkled a little bit of magic on his Burton Albion players. Six wins in nine League One fixtures has seen them go from bottom of the table to 18th spot, now two points clear of the relegation places.

They face top-of-the-table Peterborough United on Saturday, and with the Posh three points clear at the summit, they will be keen to keep their foot on the gas.

Darren Ferguson’s men are on a seven-match unbeaten run in the league, drawing last time out against Oxford United.

Hull City v Bristol Rovers 

Hull City are the team pushing Peterborough United all the way at the moment, and Grant McCann will be keen to make it three wins in a row at the weekend.

Mallik Wilks was on the scoresheet again in midweek, scoring the first goal in a 2-0 win over Rochdale at the KCOM Stadium, taking his tally up to 16 this season.

Joey Barton has been set the task of keeping Bristol Rovers in League One this campaign. The Gas are just one point above the drop zone and have only managed one win since his arrival at the Memorial Stadium.

Defeats against Wigan and Burton Albion would not have gone down well with the former Burnley midfielder. 

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Bradford City v Bolton Wanderers

Bradford City have gone about their business quietly in recent weeks, and find themselves just three points outside of the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off places after five wins on the spin.

A hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday night against Mansfield Town was the latest in their fight for promotion, following a tough start to the season for the Bantams.

Bolton Wanderers have also had a resurgence in recent weeks, carding six wins on the bounce since the start of February. Their latest win came on Tuesday night in a 2-0 victory over Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

Grimsby Town v Forest Green Rovers

Grimsby are rooted to the bottom of the League Two table and are four points adrift of Southend United in 22nd place. One win in 2021 underlines their recent form, and a change in fortunes is needed at Blundell Park.

On the other hand, Forest Green Rovers have been performing above expectations and find themselves third in the league standings. Although two defeats in their last three games have certainly been an unwelcome sight, all is not lost.

With two games in hand over Cambridge United, who they sit a point behind, these next few match days lead things up nicely to their game on March 20.

Tranmere Rovers v Crawley Town 

Into the 2021 Papa John’s Trophy Final and flying in the league, this could be a fantastic season for Tranmere Rovers and their supporters. They sit fourth, level on points with Forest Green Rovers going into the weekend.

They host Crawley Town on Saturday, who were comfortably beaten by Morecambe in midweek.

John Yems’ side sit eight points off the Play-Off places, although they are in 14th. The unpredictability of League Two could yet see them rise up the table and claim a Play-Off spot.


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