Key Takeaways
- Ipswich Town lead Millwall by one point and have a game in hand for the last Championship automatic spot.
- Six League One clubs are split by six points in the fight to avoid the final relegation place.
- League Two’s bottom four are only two points apart, while Grimsby and Swindon meet in a play-off shoot-out.
The English Football League enters its penultimate weekend with almost every prize still up for grabs. Ipswich Town hold a slender advantage over Millwall for the second automatic promotion ticket in the Championship. A Tractor Boys win at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday lunch-time would keep them ahead, even if Millwall beat already-relegated Leicester City on Friday night. Southampton remain outsiders, yet their league form has dipped amid cup distractions and Flynn Downes’ suspension.
The play-off race is just as tight. Hull City have slipped to seventh after five winless matches, letting Wrexham cling to sixth by only two goals. Hull meet Charlton Athletic on Saturday, while Wrexham travel to champions Coventry on Sunday. Derby County trail by four points and must beat Queens Park Rangers to stay in the hunt, whereas Norwich City need wins and favours from others to keep their slim dream alive.
Down in League One, Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle still hope to steal the last play-off place. Luton, unbeaten in ten, host Barnsley on Saturday. Plymouth, further back, face relegated Port Vale and believe late miracles are possible. At the bottom, six clubs are divided by six points. Exeter City visit Burton Albion knowing defeat could send them down if AFC Wimbledon or Blackpool also pick up points.
League Two offers no respite. Only two points separate the bottom four, so wins for Crawley and Newport would increase pressure on Barrow and Harrogate. Barrow must play promotion-chasing Cambridge, while Harrogate travel to Walsall. Higher up, Grimsby and Swindon clash for a play-off berth, adding another layer of tension to the final fortnight.
