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Five things in the EFL: penultimate peril and jittery jeopardyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich overtook Alex Neil’s Millwall into second spot in the Championship this weekByKate HollowayBBC Sport EnglandPublished57 minutes ago2 Comments
Just like our nerves at this time of year, promotions and relegations are sitting on a knife edge as we approach the end of the season.
For most clubs across the English Football League, there is just two games left and still plenty to play for.
From relegation battles that still have six in the mix to a tussle for automatic promotion that seems to be an endless see-saw, the edge of the seat is getting well worn as we await a worthy conclusion.
Here are five things to look out for across the EFL this penultimate weekend.
Image source, Opta/Getty ImagesCoventry City won the title this week to leave four teams (Ipswich, Millwall, Southampton and Middlesbrough) in the race for second
The race for the final automatic promotion spot between Ipswich Town and Millwall is neck and neck – but it is the Tractor Boys who have edged ever so slightly ahead and hold the potentially crucial game in hand.
The second spot can exchange hands once again should Millwall beat relegated and downbeat Leicester City on Friday (20:00 BST) to ensure it all goes down to the final day.
Although Ipswich’s far superior goal difference (+30 versus +13) means they can retake the advantage if needed with a victory over already-safe West Bromwich Albion on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST).
The Baggies are enjoying a resurgence under James Morrison and may not be an easy task but the Tractor Boys will have another chance against automatic promotion rivals Southampton on Tuesday (19:45 BST).
The Saints are not out of the running to take that second spot but a 2-2 draw with Bristol City has halted a degree of momentum, added to the distraction of a FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City and the suspension of key midfielder Flynn Downes.
Tonda Eckert’s side could be six points behind by the time they face Town and their hopes will be that both Millwall and Ipswich fail to win this weekend.
It is a mentality fifth-placed Middlesbrough will also hold onto as they host freefalling Watford on Saturday (12:30 BST) in a potential bid to stay in the race after beating Sheffield Wednesday to end a six-game winless run at the Riverside.
You can watch Manchester City v Southampton live on BBC One on Saturday at 17:15 BST.
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Image source, Opta/Getty ImagesMiddlesbrough’s goal difference likely means there is only one Championship play-off spot left to claim this season
Hull City’s 2-2 draw to Leicester City left them on their haunches, out of energy and running out of time to regain their place in the top six.
But could this weekend be just what they need to put the spring back in their step?
Current sixth-place dwellers Wrexham lead by just a two-goal difference and do not face title-winners Coventry City until Sunday (12:00 BST) to give the Tigers the chance to bounce above them.
Sergej Jakirovic’s Hull, who have defied expectations this season, are slumping at the wrong time, having failed to win any of their past five matches but they face a side in increasing dire straits in Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks, winless across their past seven, are still one point away from safety but could save themselves and condemn Oxford United to relegation should they earn result against Hull on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST).
Though neither the Tigers nor the Red Dragons can ignore those lurking just behind them.
Where many have fell away, Derby County continue to linger around the play-offs but a four-point deficit means they will need a result against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday (15:00 BST) for the possibility of staying in contention.
Meanwhile, Norwich City have soared under Philippe Clement but they remain six points away and even if they win Swansea at the weekend, they still need to rely on those above wobbling to keep their hopes alive.
Image source, Opta/Getty ImagesNone of the teams currently in League One’s play-off spots have secured their place in May’s knock-out rounds yet
Both Luton Town’s Jack Wilshere and Plymouth Argyle’s Tom Cleverley were featuring for England in the early 2010s but these days the two have more domestic goals in mind.
With two games to go before the League One season ends, either could lead their respective club into the top six to be in with a chance to join Cardiff City and make an immediate return to the Championship.
Luton host Barnsley on Saturday (15:00 BST) in an effort to rise into the play-off positions at the expense of either Stevenage or Stockport County.
The Hatters are in fine form, undefeated across their past 10 games including lifting silverware at Wembley in the EFL Trophy.
As for Plymouth, well they cannot quite close the gap this time around, but their agreeable end-to-the-season schedule is against relegated Port Vale and Northampton Town.
It might require some luck for the Pilgrims to get into May’s knockout rounds but Cleverley has no intention of letting that disrupt his ambitions.
“This can’t be the climax and then the rest tails off,” Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.
“No, until it is mathematically impossible for us to get in there that’ll be our focus rather than reflecting on what could have been.”
Image source, Opta/Getty ImagesNorthampton Town, Port Vale and Rotherham United have already been relegated to League Two to leave just one remaining relegation spot to be decided
There is perhaps no tighter situation across the EFL than League One’s relegation scrap.
Six points separate six teams all looking to avoid dropping into the final relegation place but Saturday could see at least two go a long way to safety.
Current 21st-place holders Exeter City make the trip to Burton Albion hoping to extend their three-match unbeaten run after goalkeeper Jack Bycroft scored a 96th minute equaliser at Stockport County last time out.
The Brewers are on their own undefeated streak of four games, however, and as little as a draw could ensure them safety.
If the Grecians do lose, they will need at least one of two results elsewhere to go their way to avoid being relegated at the full time whistle.
The first being AFC Wimbledon to do no better than a draw against Wigan Athletic – though the Dons have not won in nine games and have lost their past six.
The second would be 16th-placed Blackpool, who have won four of their past five matches, secure another year in League One with a victory over Leyton Orient in another huge six-pointer.
Oh, but don’t think that’s the only close-knit affair.
League Two’s relegation royale will likely go down to the final day with just two points dividing the bottom four.
Should Crawley and Newport both win their games against Accrington Stanley and Oldham Athletic, a loss for either Barrow or Harrogate would doom the club to non-league.
Harrogate visit Walsall (15:00 BST) in order to make sure that doesn’t happen but it is Barrow who face the toughest test of all.
Their trip is to a Cambridge United side (15:00 BST) still in the midst of fighting for an automatic promotion spot – a tough prospect, indeed.
Image source, Opta/ShutterstockSalford City sailed into third place in League Two after a huge 2-0 victory over table toppers Bromley on Thursday, leaving Cambridge with work to do.
But while their match with Barrow will decide if they are the front-runner or chaser come the final day of the season, there’s another colossal match-up that could have an even bigger ripple effect.
Either Grimsby or Swindon Town can seal their spot in the League Two play-offs on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST) but to do so, they have to beat the other.
The Robins have their fate in their hands, with both the match against the Mariners and their final day game against Chesterfield offering up opportunities to book more matches in May.
But Grimsby will no doubt be eager to extend their season at the possible expense of former boss Ian Holloway.
After joining in 2019, the Bristolian experienced a bitter and argumentative end to his time in Lincolnshire, leading up to his resignation in December 2020.
Though while Holloway is a not particularly loved by fans of Saturday’s hosts, Mariners boss David Artell still knows to respect his veteran counterpart.
“I appreciate he’s a bit of villain around these parts but he is obviously vastly experienced, he knows how to set up a team and get the best out of the players, that’s why he’s lasted so long,” Artell told BBC Radio Humberside.
“If we play well again, we will give anyone a game and that’s the challenge.”
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BBC Sport will have live text coverage of the EFL across the weekend starting with Leicester City v Millwall at 20:00 BST on Friday.
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