Another weekend of missed opportunities in the Championship and League 1, but Stockport County and Wrexham secured promotion from League 2.
As is customary at this time of the season there is little rest time and we go again!!
Champions League
Barca host PSG with a 3-2 lead, while Atletico Madrid go to Dortmund 2-1 up. All to play for in both, kicking off at 8pm.
Tomorrow it is City vs Real (3-3) and Bayern vs Arsenal (2-2) with winner takes all in both.
Championship
Southampton's 99th minute winner on Saturday keeps them just about in the automatic promotion race (7 behind Leicester with a game in hand, 8 points behind Ipswich with 2 games in hand), but it is vital they beat Preston tonight. PNE are in a similar position in their bid for a play-off place, 8 points behind Norwich but this game in hand. Must win for both.
League 1
Portsmouth were denied promotion at the weekend, but have another go tonight with a home clash against Barnsley. A win secures the title, a draw confirms promotion. 3rd placed Bolton can go to within a point of Derby if they beat Shrewsbury with 2 games to go after tonight.
The relegation scrap is still intense for the 4 teams in the thick of it and Burton vs Cheltenham is a real 6 pointer tonight. Burton currently sit 3 points outside the relegation zone but their opponents tonight can go within 2 points of them with a game in hand. Port Vale sit between them and host Wycombe, while Fleetwood would be down if they lose to Peterborough and Burton get a point.
League 2
Only one auto place left and Mansfield can seal it if they beat Accrington Stanley tonight.
Stockport can win the title away to Notts County.
Colchester host Grimsby, with Grimsby ensuring survival with a win or Colchester inching closer to safety if they win. The bottom 2, FGR and Sutton don't play but Forest Green will be relegated if Colchester win.
Scottish Premiership
The faltering Rangers title bid took a massive hit at the weekend with defeat to Ross County, and they go to Dundee knowing 3 points is a must. Dundee have secured their place in the top half ahead of the split after tomorrows game.
Scottish League One
An 18 match winless run meant Edinburgh City were relegated a long time ago, with the added insult of a 6 point deduction. They face a Montrose side hoping to strengthen their play-off chances.
Primeira Liga
Sporting can go 7 points clear of Benfica with a win tonight with just 5 games left. They are at Famalicao for their game in hand fixture.
Midweek business
posted on 16/4/24
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
I wonder if any of them have any chance of staying up next season whoever goes up. Burnley ran away with the title last season and have struggled massively in the PL. Will Leicester have points deducted next season?
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I think the points deduction thing won't last long. There are so many obvious problems with it. For example if you're relegated because of a deduction, and appeal, and win the appeal the next season wtf happens?
What does strike me is how often teams who rely heavily on loan players struggle when they come up. They wind up having to get half a squad with limited funds and no time.
posted on 16/4/24
Luckily Ipswich haven't had to rely on Williams much because he's been too busy off his t-ts on balloons.
posted on 16/4/24
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 23 minutes ago
Luckily Ipswich haven't had to rely on Williams much because he's been too busy off his t-ts on balloons.
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This! In his loan spell, I thought Williams looked too good for a struggling PL team like Norwich but not good enough for United. Now he doesn't look great in the Championship.
posted on 16/4/24
Good write up DJ.
Leicester are in full on bottle mode I think they might end up in the playoffs.
Ipswich I think will get the job done alongside Leeds. It’s too much for Southampton to do and they Leeds and Leicester away, I reckon 1 point from those 2 which won’t be enough.
Barca and Atletico to both finish the job tonight. Bayern and City to finish the job tomorrow.
posted on 16/4/24
Dortmund and PSG into the CL Semis
posted on 16/4/24
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 46 minutes ago
Dortmund and PSG into the CL Semis
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Great start to my predictions
PSG should beat Dortmund in the semis
posted on 17/4/24
Southampton looked very good last night by all accounts.
I wouldn't rule them out of winning their last 4 and taking an automatic spot.
posted on 17/4/24
Portsmouth were promoted so congratulations to them. Derby look to be all but up with +5 Gd and 6 points lead with 2 to go. 1 point does it.
extra incentive to the southampton fans now. they have a lot to do still.
theres a lot of nervous clubs at the bottom of the championship too.
posted on 17/4/24
Derby are only 3 clear.
Peterborough are back in it, 6 points behind Derby and 3 off Bolton but a game in hand on both.
That shocking defeat to Carlisle will live long on their minds.
posted on 17/4/24
The "Kings of sustainability" haven't been able to sustain their league place. Forest Green relegated from league 2 years after winning league 2. Duncan Ferguson and Troy Deeney among the many who have managed them since that title.