EFL preview: Easter crunch time at top and bottom

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Forget hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, the real treat to kick off Easter weekend is a full programme of EFL fixtures on Friday.

Incredibly with just four games remaining, mathematically every one of the 24 Championship teams can still be either promoted or relegated.

There are some seismic fixtures set to have a huge influence on both the promotion races and the relegation scraps across a nine-and-a-half hour window.

Good Friday? That might be underselling it. Let's take a look at what's in store on Great Friday...

Can Clarets and Whites edge closer to Champagne moment?​


Burnley could be three points clear at the top of the pile hours before Leeds kick off at Oxford United (20:00 BST).

The Clarets head to Vicarage Road trying to move 90 minutes closer to an instant Premier League return and all-but end any lingering play-off ambitions for the Hornets.

Scott Parker's men are unbeaten in 29 league games and could equal their club record of 30, set when they won the Division One title in 1921.

"This is about staying very level, very focused, not getting involved in the emotions of this time of year," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"My message is to stay calm, there's four games left, let's keep chalking them off."

After a wobble which saw Daniel Farke's men claim six points from five matches in March, Leeds have rebounded with back-to-back victories to keep the destiny of the title in their own hands.

Manor Solomon, who scored in the 2-1 win over Preston last Saturday, told BBC Radio Leeds: "We are really happy but we know we need to stay humble. One month ago, we were seven points clear.

"We are not done yet, there are still four games to go and we want to win every single game until we secure our promotion."

The Whites beat Oxford 4-0 at Elland Road in December, although three wins in their past five games have hauled Gary Rowett's side to the brink of survival and a home win under the lights here would all but confirm another season in the Championship.

After a run of three straight defeats, Sheffield United go into the weekend effectively six points adrift of the top-two given their inferior goal difference, but have the chance to halve that deficit as they welcome third-bottom Cardiff to Bramall Lane at 17:30.

"Everyone wants to sensationalise things but we haven't been good enough, it's as simple as that," boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We've not created enough and we've not been clinical enough in our finishing. We've not done enough at both ends of the pitch.

"We have to accept the criticism that comes from losing three games when we should have won two of them. And I am happy to do that.

"We've got four games to go and we need to adjust it quickly, we understand that."

You can read all about the permutations in the relegation scrap here.

Play-off rivals & relegation battlers meet​


Sunderland have looked nailed-on for fourth since before the Christmas decorations went up, but face a fascinating 15:00 BST fixture at Bristol City, 12 points adrift in fifth and seeking to tighten their own grip on a play-off place in what might be a dress rehearsal for a potential semi-final showdown.

The Robins have won five of their past six at Ashton Gate and lost just one of their past 11 overall to hold a four-point advantage over the play-off chasing pack.

"We've given ourselves something to play for, and credit to the lads because they've done that," boss Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.

"It's the end of the season, there's going to be lots of twists and turns - it's about controlling what we can, turning up and taking confidence from remaining unbeaten."

After returning to winning ways last week following a five-match skid, seventh-placed West Bromwich Albion are leading the pack and would jump back above the dotted line with a win at Coventry, who occupy the final slot in the top-six but would fall out on goal difference should they lose to the Baggies.

Middlesbrough, in eighth, could also overhaul the Sky Blues should Albion prevail and they beat bottom club Plymouth at the Riverside.

Millwall, in ninth, could go level on points with Coventry if they win at Blackburn, who are not quite out the play-off race themselves.

The weekend begins with all eyes on the relegation battle as fourth-bottom Derby host second-bottom Luton at 12:30 in possibly the biggest game of the season for both sides.

The Rams, in 21st place, are three points above the Hatters, but have a far superior goal difference and a victory at Pride Park could all but secure their safety.

Wrexham aim to step on the gas in race for Championship​


Birmingham were crowned League One champions without even playing last weekend, as nearest challengers Wrexham played out a stalemate at Wigan.

Blues host Crawley, seeking to continue their quest to break the EFL points record of 106, set 19 years ago in the Championship by Reading.

Chris Davies' side, who are looking to bounce back from their Vertu Trophy defeat by Peterborough on Sunday, need 12 points from their final six games to better that.

Wrexham return to the Racecourse Ground, seeking to at least maintain their one-point advantage over third-placed Wycombe in the race for the other automatic promotion place.

While the Red Dragons face a Bristol Rovers side who slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference last weekend on the back of a sixth straight defeat, the Chairboys have a different challenge.

They head to eighth-placed Bolton, who need a win to ignite their play-off hopes.

Stockport, five points behind Wrexham with four to play, will be assured of a top-six spot if they beat Peterborough or if Leyton Orient and Bolton both fail to win at home to Barnsley and Wycombe respectively.

Charlton, a point back in fifth, will book their play-off place on Friday if they beat Northampton, 19th, and still not safe, though the Addicks could clinch it even if they lose, depending on results involving Orient, Bolton and Huddersfield at home to Cambridge United.

Bottom club Shrewsbury are 12 points from safety with four games left, so will be relegated on Friday unless they beat Wigan, and Burton and Bristol Rovers both lose at Exeter and Wrexham respectively.

Cambridge United will be down too if they lose at Huddersfield and either Burton or Bristol Rovers win. If the Us avoid defeat, they can't go down before Monday.

Crawley, a point ahead of Cambridge, can't go down on Friday – but defeat at Birmingham, coupled with a win for either Burton or Bristol Rovers, would leave the Reds nine points adrift with three games left.

Time running out at top and bottom of League Two​


Things might be even more tense in League Two.

Leaders Port Vale face a crucial trip to Carlisle, who are battling to stay in the EFL with just four games remaining.

Mark Hughes' second-bottom Cumbrians, six points behind Accrington and with an inferior goal difference, could find themselves needing snookers if they lose to the Valiants and Accrington win at Salford.

Vale will be assured of at least a play-off place if they win, although could cement a spot even in defeat if Colchester fail to win at home to Crewe or if Grimsby lose at home to Swindon, managed by former boss Ian Holloway.

Bottom club Morecambe, a point behind Carlisle, would be relegated to the National League if they lose at Bromley, Accrington win and fourth-bottom Tranmere beat Doncaster.

Along with Bradford, who host Notts County on Thursday, and Walsall, who will seek to end a 10-match winless streak at home to lowly Harrogate, Doncaster can book a play-off place if they win at Prenton Park and Colchester lose to the Railwaymen.

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