Permutations for the EFL and National League ahead of the weekend – 21st April 2023

Time to check out permutations for the EFL and National League ahead of the weekend and it’s far to say there is plenty still at stake.

We could see new champions, some playoff places sealed along with promotions and relegations.

The amount of games left to play are decreasing very quickly and it could turn out be very busy few days of presentations, celebrations and no doubt many drowning their sorrows.

Recent confirmed promotions, relegations, titles & qualifications
18 April – Leyton Orient promoted to League One
18 April – Yeovil relegated to National League South
15 April – Forest Green relegated to League Two
10 April – Scunthorpe relegated to National League North
7 April – Burnley promoted to Premier League
7 April – Ebbsfleet promoted to National League

Championship – Automatic promotion

Burnley has secured an immediate return into the Premier League, and can win the Championship title on Saturday if they defeat Queens Park Rangers at home.

Sheffield United will secure second place in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday against Manchester City thanks to a seven-point lead and game-in-hand over Luton Town, who are in third.

Championship – Playoffs

Middlesbrough are also all but there. Luton Town has secured at least a playoff place. Both teams could mathematically still catch Sheffield United, but that is unlikely.

The fight below Luton is much closer. Millwall is currently fifth (65pts), and Blackburn is sixth (64pts), just ahead of West Brom (63pts), Coventry (63pts), Sunderland (62pts), Norwich (62pts) and Preston (62pts). Both Blackburn and West Brom have a game in hand over their playoff rivals.

Watford and Swansea (both 59pts) could still make the playoffs. But they’d have to do more to surpass the clubs above them, and to overturn Blackburn’s five-point deficit.

Championship – relegation

Wigan and Blackpool are both six points behind safety with three games left, so they could both be relegated at the weekend. Reading are 22nd, and occupies the final relegation position, only one point behind QPR, Huddersfield and Cardiff City. Rotherham United and Cardiff City are also not safe.

League One – Automatic promotion

In a thrilling four-way race, there are only seven points separating the first and fourth place teams. However, Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle have an advantage heading into final weeks.

Plymouth are first with 89, Ipswich sit second with 88, and both have a game in hand – four matches to play – over Sheffield Wednesday who are third with only 87. Barnsley has a game in hand over from Wednesday, and still hopes to make one of two automatic promotion places.

League One – Playoffs

Wednesday and Barnsley have already mathematically secured a place in the playoffs. Below them, Peterborough, Bolton and Derby are fighting for two remaining play-off spots.

Bolton (72pts), who are above and have a game in hand ver Peterborough (73pts), and Derby (72pts), below them. Wycombe and Portsmouth are unlikely to trouble this trio, but they can still reach the play-offs.

League One – Relegation battle

Forest Green Rovers have been relegated to League Two after falling 14 points short of safety.

Port Vale, who are currently 18th in the table, are hoping that their 46 points will be enough to keep them out of the scrap. MK Dons (43) and Oxford United (41) are both currently above the drop zone. Cambridge United (40pts), Morecambe (38) and Accrington Stanley (38) are at threat at relegation, potentially joining Forest Green if their fortunes do not change.

League Two – Automatic promotion

Leyton Orient won promotion in midweek despite losing to Gillingham. Leyton Orient have a seven point lead at the top over Northampton, and also a game to spare. Stevenage also could go up this weekend if they win and Stockport, Carlisle and Bradford do not.

League Two – Playoff spots

Stockport, Carlisle and Bradford are set for play-off spots with Salford and Mansfield currently battling it out for the fourth and final place. However, with just three points separating Stockport in fourth and Mansfield who are in eighth, the race could go to the very end. Barrow are mathematically in contention but unlikely to trouble those above them.

League Two – Relegation battle

Rochdale are eight points from safety and with only three games left, they could be relegated as early as this weekend. Hartlepool are 23rd, three points behind Saturday’s opponents Crawley Town. Harrogate Town are three points further ahead.

National League title

Wrexham win the title if their result matches or beat that of Notts County. Wrexham will also be champions if they beat Boreham Wood.

National League top three

Chesterfield can avoid the Eliminators if they win against Bromley, Woking draw or lose to Gateshead at home.

National League playoffs

Boreham Wood can confirm their play-off spot if they beat Wrexham. A point would be enough for them to confirm top seven if Eastleigh lose to Solihull Moors. Bromley can seal their place if they beat Chesterfield and Eastleigh don’t get victory against Solihull Moors.

National League relegation

Torquay United will be relegated to the second tier of non league if they lose against Altrincham and if Maidenhead United or York City avoid defeat. Aldershot Town will be all but safe if they avoid defeat to York City.

National League North title

AFC Fylde and King’s Lynn are separated by just one point, but the game on Tuesday for the Coasters means that it is not possible to win this weekend.

National League North top three

The top three is sorted, with Chester joining either AFC Fylde and King’s Lynn Town in the playoff semi finals.

National League North playoffs

Brackley will be confirmed if they beat Buxton. Scarborough need a few things to go their way but will do the same if they defeat Telford and Darlington, Buxton, Chorley and Kidderminster don’t see victory.

National League North relegation

Bradford PA will be relegated if they lose to Hereford and Blyth Spartans beat Alfreton. Leamington will also go down if AFC Fylde drop points and Farsley or Blyth Spartans both win. Farsley can’t be relegated at this weekend.

National League South title

Already sorted, Ebbsfleet United are this season’s champions.

National League South top three

Dartford will seal a top three place if they win against St Albans City and Oxford City and Chelmsford drop points. Oxford can’t mathematically secure theirs, but if they get a win and Chelmsford fall to defeat it will need a huge final day swing to deny them.

National League South playoffs

St Albans and Worthing will seal their places if they win this weekend. Braintree will also confirm their playoff spot if they beat Eastbourne Borough, and Havant & Waterlooville fail to win against Oxford City.

National League South relegation

Weymouth will go down if they lose to Slough Town. A draw isn’t enough if Dulwich pick up a point at Hungerford – even a victory could see them relegated should Dulwich get a win. Hungerford are down if they don’t win that game. Cheshunt will also be relegated if they lose to Bath City and Dulwich don’t lose.