Get ready for a Championship Easter feast
IT’S Easter, the best weekend of the year for English Football League fixtures. With two games in four days so close to the end of the season, teams have a chance to make or break a promotion push or survival scrap. Let’s answer the big questions…
WHO WINS FOUR-TEAM PROMOTION FIGHT?
LEICESTER came out of the blocks flying, with 13 wins in the first 14 games back in the second tier. But the Championship is a marathon, not a sprint — and the Foxes have faltered.
Pep Guardiola’s former righthand man Enzo Maresca looks a shrewd operator but the next two games will define just how good the Italian boss is, with just one win in their last five.
Before that tricky spell, the Foxes asserted themselves as one of the best teams this division has seen with a patient, possession-based game.
Jamie Vardy is still the main source of goals with 13, but Leicester look different to the team that came down, with Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi dangerous out wide. Wilfried Ndidi, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harry Winks are a midfield trio far too good for this level.
But LEEDS, as tipped in this column before a ball was kicked, have everything at their disposal to romp to the title. They are top — although Leicester have a game in hand — and manager Daniel Farke has been there and done it twice with Norwich.
A drive to sign young, uncut gems was a reason for relegation last year, but many of those are thriving now, such as Georginio Rutter and Willy Gnonto. In Archie Gray, 18, Leeds have the best youngster in the division.
Leeds had an inconsistent start to the season but have blown away nearly all in their wake since Christmas, taking 37 points from 39 in 2024. Wales internationals Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon have been exceptional.
But Easter weekend has haunted Leeds before. In 2019, they were in a similar position of authority but had back-to-back defeats by Wigan and Brentford, then fell apart in the play-offs against Frank Lampard’s Derby.
IPSWICH have been the story of the season, after amassing 98 points and scoring 101 goals in League One last term. The early surge of Kieran McKenna’s side is no surprise to anyone that watched them in the third tier but their staying power is remarkable.
Losing to Cardiff after goals in the 95th and 100th minute earlier this month could have derailed their push, as could a run over Christmas in which they won once from December 12 to February 14, but the Tractor Boys won’t go away. They are a point adrift of Leeds and Leicester. An Ipswich win over SOUTHAMPTON on Monday would surely rule Russell Martin’s
Saints out of the automatic promotion race. They went unbeaten in a staggering 25 games but have faltered since.
They are nine points behind Leeds, but they have played two fewer matches. So, hope is not all gone on the south coast but Martin might need to conjure up another formidable run.
Adam Armstrong is stating a case for the league’s player of the season gong, with his 18 goals only topped by Blackburn and Ireland’s Sammie Szmodics, while Armstrong has 11 assists to Szmodics’ three. If Saints don’t make the top two, they would be a strong bet in the play-offs.
WHO MAKES PLAY-OFFS?
WEST BROM manager Carlos Corberan looks destined to manage in the Premier League and will hope to do it with the Baggies. They have lost just one of their last 10 and can put one hand on a play-off spot this weekend.
They have a strong defensive foundation and January signing Mikey Johnston has injected energy and flair to their attack. It seems baffling that Celtic let him leave on loan.
Just below are NORWICH, who recovered from a terrible run from September to December that saw David Wagner’s job under serious scrutiny, especially after a 6-2 hammering at Plymouth. Credit to new director of football Ben Knapper for sticking by him. They have an exciting team. HULL go into this weekend on the back of four straight draws but Liam Rosenior’s youthful side have realistic topsix hopes. Jaden Philogene, a £5million signing from Aston Villa has been a game-changer.
Last season’s play-off runnersup COVENTRY will hope their magical run to the FA Cup semifinals does not distract them from another top-six push. The Sky Blues have lost just three times since December 2.
Behind them, Michael Carrick and MIDDLESBROUGH have had an inconsistent season but could finish with a flourish, while Ryan Lowe’s PRESTON could gain ground with two winnable fixtures, and Turkish boss Erol Bulut is going well at CARDIFF.
WHO IS GOING DOWN?
TAKE your pick. Just 10 points separate SUNDERLAND in 12th and SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY in 23rd. ROTHERHAM have been abysmal, winning just three times all season and shipping 77 goals, and their relegation could be confirmed this weekend. Wednesday went winless in their first 13 games and sacked Xisco Munoz, but new man Danny Rohl has given them a chance.
Before defeats by Leeds and Ipswich, the Owls had won five of their previous six and a similar run will be needed as they take on Luke Williams’ SWANSEA, who are in good form but, along with WATFORD and BRISTOL CITY, are not quite safe just yet.
The decision to sack John Eustace and hire Wayne Rooney is haunting BIRMINGHAM, who have recently appointed Gary Rowett on an interim basis after Tony Mowbray needed to step away with illness. They play fellow strugglers QPR today. Rangers have lost just two of the last 11, plunging HUDDERSFIELD into the bottom three. Former Hoffenheim boss Andre Breitenreiter is their third boss of the season.
Steven Schumacher switched PLYMOUTH for STOKE and it looks like a bad move for both parties, with Argyle fans not sold on new boss Ian Foster. Both are in trouble.
Eustace is yet to win in nine games as BLACKBURN boss, though they have managed to turn losses into draws with six points in their last seven. MILLWALL have picked up since rehiring Neil Harris but are still looking over their shoulders.