There are just a handful of games left across the Football League and with so much at stake through promotion and relegation, the next few weeks promise to be thrilling. Here at InterBet we take a look at all three divisions of the EFL from the Championship down to League Two, offering odds, tips and previews of the final month of the season.
Championship
The sheer unpredictability of the Championship makes the English second tier as exciting as any other league in world football. We are now just five or six games away from the end of the season yet more than half of the Championship’s 24 clubs will still have ambitions of earning promotion to the Premier League.
Last season, Wolves started the campaign at a huge price of 10/1 to win the league, duly obliging at a canter. Whilst this season’s pre-season favourites were Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, neither of which have ever looked like winning the title.
Norwich City are closing in on a return to the Premier League and it seems like a straight fight between Leeds United and Sheffield United for the second automatic promotion spot.
Either Leeds or Sheffield United are set to drop into the play-offs, yet predicting the other three play-off contestants is anybody’s guess at this stage. West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Bristol City currently occupy the last remaining three places. However, every team as far down as Swansea City in thirteenth will still have realistic play-off aspirations.
Aston Villa are the division’s most in-form team and currently enjoying a run of eight successive wins in the league.
At the bottom end of the Championship table, Ipswich Town were the first side in the Football League to be relegated after they were consigned to the third tier for the first time in 62 years.
Bolton Wanderers are likely to join Ipswich in League One next season. A turbulent season on and off the pitch has meant survival was almost impossible. The Bolton staff and players have regularly been paid late and ongoing financial problems mean that they could yet start next season with a points deduction. A return of just 29 goals in 42 games so far has been Bolton’s downfall.
With Ipswich and Bolton set to limp out of the Championship, there are a whole host of clubs not yet safe from the dreaded drop. Rotherham United currently occupy the final relegation place on 40 points but they are just two points adrift of Wigan Athletic and Millwall. Reading are a further two points clear of the drop on 44 whilst 46 points and a superior goal difference means that Birmingham City are probably safe.
League One
Luton Town lead the way in League One and look set to return to the second tier for the first time since 2006/07. The Hatters finished second in League Two last season and despite the mid-season blow of manager, Nathan Jones, leaving for Stoke City, they look set for a second successive promotion.
Below Luton Town, there are just three points separating the next four sides. Barnsley currently sit second with 82 points from 42 games. However, both Sunderland and Portsmouth are two points behind with a game in hand. Charlton Athletic also have automatic promotion aspirations still with 79 points from 42 games.
Behind the breakaway group of five teams there is just one more play-off place available. With 69 points from 42 games and four wins on the bounce, Doncaster Rovers, look set to claim that final play-off spot. Meanwhile, Peterborough United are not without a chance after claiming 64 points from just 41 games.
At the bottom of League One, Bradford City are all-but-relegated. The Bantams are nine points from safety with just twelve left to play for. After that, it is anyone’s guess on predicting the three sides who will join them. Six consecutive losses have dragged Walsall right into the relegation mire; a run that cost manager, Dean Keates, his job. Southend United and AFC Wimbledon occupy the final two relegation spots. Walsall host Southend on Good Friday in a huge relegation six-pointer. The loser of which is almost certain to be consigned to the fourth tier.
League Two
Lincoln City have confirmed their place in League One for the 2019/20 season whilst a recent dip in form threatens to derail MK Dons own promotion aspirations. After dropping from second to fourth, the two other automatic promotion spots are now occupied by Bury and Mansfield Town.
In the play-off race, MK Dons are joined by Tranmere Rovers, Forest Green Rovers and Exeter City currently but, just like the Championship you could make a case for numerous sides to claim a top-seven place and a spot in the end of season play-offs.
Just one point separates Carlisle United in eighth and Newport County in twelfth. However, thanks to Newport County’s incredible run to the FA Cup fifth round, the Welsh side have a game in hand over all the teams above them and look best placed to capitalise on any slip-ups from their play-off rivals.
At the foot of the Football League, any two from three sides are set to drop into the National League. Sol Campbell has completely transformed Macclesfield Town since arriving as manager. The Silkmen looked dead and buried when the former England international took charge but they are now outside of the relegation spots. With 39 points from 42 games, Macclesfield are two points better off than both Yeovil Town and Notts County.
With so much at stake at the top and bottom of all three Football League tables are forever changing. Visit InterBet.com for all the latest match and outright odds across all three divisions. All new customers can also benefit from a £10 welcome bonus when they sign up and start betting with InterBet.