5 things to watch for in the EFL – Matchday 40

There’s lower than 10 video games remaining throughout all three divisions of the EFL as we head in direction of the Easter weekend. Make no mistake: it’s crunch time at each ends of each league desk.

The Championship’s elite face off within the battle for promotion, whereas League One has been blown extensive open in current weeks with three groups separated by simply two factors on the high. On the different finish of the pyramid, who might be sliding out of the EFL altogether come the ultimate day?

Right here’s 5 key match-ups to look at for within the EFL this Good Friday.

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Hatters heading to the highest?

Luton have been one of many tales of the season within the EFL Championship, constructing on final season’s play-off run with one other robust marketing campaign. The Hatters look possible for an additional run at Wembley this yr, or are they setting their sights even larger? A win at Millwall within the 12:30 kick-off on Friday would elevate Luton to 3rd, simply three factors off an computerized promotion spot.

The Hatters might be examined by a Millwall aspect that’s discovered its chunk in current weeks and are eyeing up a play-off run of their very own. Nonetheless, no aspect within the Championship has saved extra clear sheets than Luton this season, together with 5 shut-outs of their final seven video games. Luton are additionally unbeaten of their final eight on the street, their longest run since 1981. The Hatters are 2/1 to maintain that run going by successful at Millwall on Friday, with the draw now additionally 2/1.

Millwall misplaced to Luton at The Den final season, however that was their solely defeat to the Hatters of their final 10 league conferences. Gary Rowett’s aspect will fancy placing one over on a fellow play-off chaser, and are 6/4 to get the three factors. Tom Bradshaw and Zian Flemming have scored 27 objectives between them for Millwall this season and we’ve 3/1 that the Lions’ pair mix for over 3 photographs on track.

McCarthy out for revenge in relegation six-pointer

Mick McCarthy was sacked by Cardiff in 2021; now, he leads a battling Blackpool aspect in opposition to the Bluebirds in an important match on the foot of the Championship.

Each side are determined for the factors: a loss may very well be catastrophic for the Seasiders and depart them floundering within the drop zone. Cardiff have misplaced 5 of their final six away video games and we’ve 9/5 that Blackpool get the win at Bloomfield Street.

A exceptional 12 objectives have been scored in Blackpool’s final two house league video games – a 5-1 win adopted by a 4-1 loss. You may get 7/1 on there to be 5 or extra whole objectives on this one.

Boro to spoil Burnley’s promotion celebration?

Vincent Kompany’s Burnley will clinch a swift return again to the Premier League if Luton fail to win at Millwall earlier within the day and the Clarets get a win of their very own. Nonetheless, Kompany’s high-fliers face a stiff take a look at in opposition to Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough within the 20:00 kick-off.

Burnley have solely misplaced twice all season and are 8/5 to beat a Boro aspect nonetheless smarting from final week’s thrashing at Huddersfield. Carrick, although, will know {that a} house win is significant to shut the hole on the highest two, and we’ve 17/10 that Boro spoil Burnley’s promotion celebration – a minimum of for a number of extra days. Chuba Akpom might be key for Boro, with the Championship’s top-scorer 13/2 to attain assisted by both Cameron Archer or Marcus Forss.

Pilgrims returning to the Championship?

In League One, the promotion race is reaching a dramatic conclusion. Sheffield Wednesday’s current stumbles have opened the door for Plymouth, Ipswich and Barnsley to all seize an computerized spot – and Plymouth themselves will fancy displacing the Owls on the high of the desk.

The Pilgrims voyage to struggling Morecambe at 15:00, and are favourites to get the win that might push them into high spot. Solely Burton and Forest Inexperienced have conceded greater than the Shrimps, so Plymouth could fancy boosting their objective distinction on this one: we’ve 3/1 on a Plymouth win with 4 or extra whole objectives within the match.

Hartlepool trying to keep afloat

On the foot of League Two, Rochdale look doomed however Twenty third-place Hartlepool have discovered kind at simply the appropriate time. Their win in opposition to Swindon final week made it six league video games unbeaten for Swimming pools, and they’ll fancy themselves in opposition to a mid-table Grimsby who could already be on the seashore at Cleethorpes.

Hartlepool may climb out of the drop zone with a win, and are 7/2 to get three factors on the street. A sixth attract seven video games would nonetheless be priceless, and that result’s 12/5.

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