5 things to watch for in the EFL – Matchday 42

Burnley clinched promotion from the Championship and then took another step closer to winning the title – but with just a handful of weeks to go, that’s the only thing that’s decided in the entire EFL.

Vincent Kompany’s Clarets clinched an automatic return to the Premier League with seven games to spare, and now have their sights on a record-breaking points total. The Championship play-off race has burst into life with five teams separated by just three points in the pursuit for a top-six finish.

Meanwhile in League One, promotion-chasing Plymouth and Ipswich both dropped points on Monday. But it could be all over for Duncan Ferguson’s Forest Green Rovers this weekend, who need a win and other results to go their way to give them a stay of execution for another week.

Leyton Orient and Northampton are now on the cusp of replacing them in the third tier, with the O’s hoping to maintain or even extend their eight-point lead at the top.

For every team apart from Burnley, it could all change again once that referee’s whistle blows and the next 90 minutes get underway. Here are five key things to watch for in the EFL this weekend.

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Play-off preview at the Riverside?

The automatic promotion dream isn’t over for Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, but it’s looking more like a play-off place for the Teesiders. That would still be a fantastic achievement for Boro, who were 20th when Carrick took over, and they have an opportunity to lay a marker down this Friday night when they host a Norwich side that they could well meet in the post-season.

Boro are going for their first league double over the Canaries since 2014-15, and Carrick will have his men fired up after going winless in three for the first time since October. Middlesbrough are 10/11 to win, with Norwich – who have won on their last three league visits to the Riverside Stadium – now 14/5.

Chuba Akpom was recently shortlisted for the EFL Player of the Year award, and the Boro striker has relished playing in front of his own fans this season. Akpom has 15 goals in his last 11 home games, including in the last seven in a row. Get 4/1 (was 10/3) Enhanced Odds on Akpom to open the scoring.

Blades need to stay sharp against battling Bluebirds

Sheffield Utd lost to Burnley on Easter Monday and will be keen to prove that it was little more than a speed bump on the road to promotion when they kick-off at 12:30 on Saturday. Three points against Cardiff would push United closer to clinching a top-two spot, and they are 4/7 to get the win against the 21st-placed Bluebirds.

Four of the Blades’ last five league wins have been by a 1-0 scoreline, and they face a Cardiff side who are the lowest scorers in the Championship. Another 1-0 is 4/1 on Saturday, and a 2-0 home win is 11/2.

Cardiff have plenty to play for themselves in their battle to avoid relegation. Sabri Lamouchi’s side are 24/5 to win consecutive away games for the first time in a year, following Good Friday’s 3-1 victory at Blackpool.

Clarets closing in on record points haul

Burnley are gunning for a new record points total in the Championship, and will need to win all their remaining games to get there. In a twist of fate, the next obstacle to overcome is Reading: the club that set that record of 106 points back in 2005/06.

The Clarets are the only side in the division yet to lose in 2023 and are the league’s top-scorers, and are 13/8 to win with three or more goals in the match. You can also get 7/4 on Burnley to score in both halves.

Reading are desperate for points to stave off relegation, and will look to the past for encouragement: the Royals are unbeaten in their last 16 home league games against Burnley (W8 D8).

This game is also Noel Hunt’s first as manager following the departure of Paul Ince this week – each of the last three managers for Reading have won their first league game in charge. Can the Royals save their season and preserve their 106-point record in the process? It’s 11/2 for a home win, and 14/5 for a draw.

A decisive Devonshire derby in League One

A shock home defeat to Lincoln on Easter Monday has thrown a spanner in the works of Plymouth’s title charge, with the Pilgrims slipping back to second behind Sheffield Wednesday in League One. On paper, Plymouth shouldn’t be too worried about the trip to 12th-place Exeter that’s next on the fixture list – but this is a Devonshire derby, where anything can happen.

Exeter’s season is done and dusted, but the Grecians will relish the chance to derail their high-flying local rivals in this noon Saturday kick-off. It’s rare that both sides leave this fixture satisfied, with none of the last 11 Football League meetings between the two finishing as a draw.

The Grecians have only lost two of their last seven home league games against Plymouth and are 19/10 to beat the Pilgrims. Ryan Lowe will be desperate for his side to bounce back – Plymouth haven’t lost consecutive league games since February last year – and it’s 13/10 for an away win here.

Tight at the top of League Two as promotion rivals clash

It’s 4th vs 2nd in League Two this weekend, as Northampton make the trip to Carlisle for a huge game in the promotion race. Leyton Orient are on the brink of success but below them just five points separate 2nd-place Northampton from 6th-place Bradford. With only three automatic promotion spots up for grabs, it’s about to get very tasty in England’s fourth tier.

Carlisle are hoping for a big crowd for this one to cheer the Blues to victory, and are 5/4 to get the points. The home side have kept four straight clean sheets at home – they last recorded five in a row in May 2001.

Northampton were grateful for a late Will Hondermarck winner against Gillingham on Easter Monday after being comprehensively beaten by Newport on Good Friday. The Cobblers will hope for a better performance on the road and are 23/10 to get a win that strengthens their grip on an automatic promotion place.

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