Championship, Round 42

Millwall-Leicester (09/04/24, 19:45 CET)
A tough time for Millwall, with 3 losses in the last 4 and the specter of relegation suddenly looming large. Especially after the heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield in the 94th minute, with manager Harris' post-match words stinging: "I see a group of players, many of them care, some of them need to do more." Not the best atmosphere to face the league leaders at home. Leicester, on the other hand, snatched victory against Birmingham in stoppage time (2-1), reclaiming the top spot and Premier League momentum. "We struggle to find the goal, but we never stopped looking for it: victories like this are very special," satisfaction radiates from Enzo Maresca on the bench. The Foxes head to The Den aiming for a third consecutive win, with a significantly favorable trend - 5 wins in the last 6 absolute encounters. So, it's a nod to either a draw or Leicester's victory.

Plymouth-QPR (09/04/24, 19:45 CET)
A goal from Mumba in the half-hour mark was enough for Plymouth to regain three points at Rotherham and break a dry spell of 6 games. A promising start for manager Dewsnip, with Argyle taking a significant step towards safety at a time when many competitors have stepped up. This resurgence puts even QPR, just 2 points above, at risk. They were surprised at home by Sheffield (0-2) in a heated match. "Our opponents played like their lives depended on it, but we didn't: evidently, I didn't instill the necessary intensity in my boys," admits Martí Cifuentes. Prepare for another high-tension direct clash, with QPR's trend before the last match favoring them - 17 points against 4 in the previous 8. But at this stage of the season, every single game can shuffle the deck. Signs point to a medium-low-scoring game: in the last 10 overall matches, at least one of the two teams failed to score.

Preston-Huddersfield (09/04/24, 19:45 CET)
The dream of playoffs is slipping away for Preston after a goalless draw at Watford. "A good point, but we need more in this final rush, and we're not clinical enough," manager Lowe points out after his team's second consecutive goalless game. Now back at Deepdale, where the hosts will face a Huddersfield team with a knife between their teeth. Especially after the heavy last-minute win against Millwall: "Dirty victory," admits André Breitenreiter, convinced that his team hasn't healed, but at this point, every little bit helps. The travelers, just one point above the third-from-bottom, must maintain their nerve to keep up with the opponents. Expect a scrappy game, tight on entertainment and with medium to low scoring prospects: if Preston's attack has stalled, Huddersfield's defense away from home is stepping up - just 3 goals conceded in the last 4 matches.

Sheffield-Norwich (09/04/24, 19:45 CET)
A scolding from Danny Rohl, highly critical after the loss to Middlesbrough, was enough to get Sheffield back on track: a show of strength against QPR's tough ground (0-2) and the safety quota in sight again - just one point above. Another tactical masterpiece from the German coach, who, despite facing a newly-promoted team with modest technical values, is keeping them clinging to a remarkable comeback. "Winning the Champions League with Bayern or securing survival with my Wednesday? There's no doubt: the latter would certainly be my greatest professional achievement," the coach's determination, who had been Hansi Flick's assistant at Bayern. However, a tough challenge looms ahead this week, against a Norwich in great form - 4 wins in the last 5 - capable of defeating former league leaders Ipswich in the last match (1-0). It's a crucial sprint towards the playoffs to repel the attacks from competitors. "The important thing is to have awareness, all together, that we can achieve something extraordinary," smiles Mister Wagner. It's true that the Canaries away from home have a different demeanor - just one win in the last 7 - but the technical gap between the two teams is significant, and Sheffield, despite their efforts, has recently shown that they can't withstand the pressure - 0 goals scored and 10 conceded in the most recent clashes against Leeds, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough. So, it's a nod to either a draw or an away victory.

Southampton-Coventry (09/04/24, 19:45 CET)
Just 2 points in the last 3 for Southampton, who, at Blackburn, showed signs of losing momentum in attack (0-0), also revealing a certain lack of motivation: the near-certainty of fourth place pushes them to conserve energy for the playoffs. "Yet we don't deserve, neither us nor our fans, to end the season on a sour note," Mister Martin tries to keep the focus high. The next test will say a lot in this regard, especially since Coventry, on the contrary, is playing their last cards for a top-six spot: the momentum is there (5 wins in the last 6), the recent triumph over Leeds (2-1) feels like a show of strength, but Robins' boys are under the pressure of pursuit. "We're coming off a top-club performance," dictates the coach. "Our two goals came from two brilliant moves, we defended well, and managed the game with mentality: that's how you go far." The challenge against Southampton is set, with the visitors called to attack in the standings. Despite the trap from the last game, we insist on both teams scoring when Southampton is involved. Especially against Coventry.

Leeds-Sunderland (09/04/24, 20:00 CET)
There's regret among the ranks of Leeds after the 2-1 defeat at Coventry. It's the first loss for Leeds in 2024 in the Championship, knocking them out of the top two spots. Daniel Farke isn't making a big deal out of it, but his team feels the pressure now. "We're still in touch with the objective; we need to be smart and not let this affect us," says the coach. Adding to the pressure is a dreadful schedule, with Leeds' next five matches compressed due to Sky Sport's broadcast package: Ipswich and Leicester could take advantage of this for direct promotion. However, excuses won't be enough for Tuesday's match at home against a mid-table Sunderland, now off course - just one win in the last 10: the Black Cats settled for a draw last time against Bristol (0-0), unlikely to play with all-out intensity at Ellan Road. Unless there are psychological breakdowns, we can expect a home win.

Birmingham-Cardiff (10/04/24, 19:45 CET)
No points, but a performance to be proud of: Birmingham put up a fight at the King's Power Stadium, almost stopping Leicester but ultimately falling (2-1) and finding themselves back in the

third-to-last place. A make-or-break week is coming: Cardiff at home, then an away trip to relegated Rotherham. Mister Rowett keeps the bar high and emphasizes "the fighting spirit" of his players. The last home game smiled at the Blues (1-0 against Preston) but there needs to be an improvement in attack: too few goals for salvation, just 3 scored in the last 5 matches. On the Welsh side, Erol Bulut wasn't pleased with Cardiff's laid-back attitude in their home defeat to Hull (1-3). "Losing can happen, but we can't lose our focus: from now on, I expect five-star performances in every match." We'll see if that's the case, for a team with dwindling ambitions. An unstable game is on the horizon, between two wounded sides (7 losses combined in the last 10): given the stakes for Birmingham, don't expect a flurry of goals.

Bristol-Blackburn (10/04/24, 19:45 CET)
Bristol's good form continues, with 4 positive results in the last 5, including a respectable 0-0 draw away at Sunderland. Mister Manning applauds "the spirit and resilience of his boys," preparing for a peaceful return to their home ground. With 54 points, sitting 12th in the table, there's nothing to lose on Wednesday against Blackburn: the visitors still need to secure their safety (+4 from the relegation zone), but recent signs (just one loss in the last 6) are encouraging. Especially after another goalless draw, this time against the much-fancied Southampton. "A real challenge, an important clean sheet, and the game plan executed: I'm proud of my boys," says Mister Eustace. The match between the two Rovers promises to be a high-uncertainty affair, with the result ready to swing in any direction. However, statistics suggest that Ashton Gate Stadium has seen few goals lately: no more than 2 goals in 9 of the last 10 occasions.

Hull-Middlesbrough (10/04/24, 19:45 CET)
The Tigers are back on their feet, with a convincing 3-1 win at home against Cardiff - after 7 winless games - and sixth place back in sight. "Excellent performance under pressure," analyzes Mister Rosenior. "If we maintain these levels, we'll still have a chance." Currently, the gap from Norwich is six points - but Hull has a game in hand - making Wednesday's match feel like a playoff: Middlesbrough is coming, tied on points at 61 and on a positive streak of 7 games. For Carrick's boys, there were no problems last weekend against Swansea (a comfortable 2-0). The coach was able to rest two key players like Hackney and van den Berg, who will be available on Wednesday, admitting that their inclusion represents "a huge injection of quality" for a team that has long endured with a depleted squad. Ready for a do-or-die match: for both teams, not winning would feel like a definitive condemnation. Hull tends to play at a higher tempo, while Boro defends better (just one goal conceded in the last five): a prediction that's hard to interpret.

Ipswich-Watford (10/04/24, 19:45 CET)
A great free-kick by Nunez just before halftime, and Ipswich loses the derby and the top spot to Norwich: a potentially painless stumble, given Leeds' simultaneous stumble, but McKenna's boys need to get back on track quickly for the final promotion push.

"We didn't play with our usual intensity: perhaps we're feeling the effects of fatigue," sounds the alarm from the coach. So, it will take all the energy from Portman Road, where Town has won five games in a row, to regain three points in a slippery match. Watford has nothing more to ask of their season - 14th place, 51 points - but they're on a positive streak of 4 games and are among the teams currently offering little or nothing. "We're disappointed not to have secured our first home win of 2024," Tom Cleverley looks at the glass half-empty after the decent 0-0 against Preston. The Hornets will go to Ipswich to surprise: there's a significant technical and motivational gap to consider, even if Chaplin and company could face more difficulties than expected. For those seeking a gamble, consider the possibility of Watford scoring.

Swansea-Stoke (10/04/24, 20:00 CET)
All signs were there, the dismal defeat at Middlesbrough (2-0) forced Luke Williams to raise his voice. "My Swansea can't be like this: we need to complete the task well and quickly, hitting the 50-point mark." The Welsh side has only garnered one point in the last 3, giving the impression of putting the oars in too soon: returning to the attention of the home crowd could be useful to face an ascending competitor like Stoke. Schumacher's team has collected 11 points in the last 7 games and the comeback from 0-2 to 2-2 against the higher-ranked WBA has earned the coach's enthusiasm. "I'm proud of my players' concentration," he applauds post-match. With just one point between them (47 to 46), opposing forms and the anxiety of a direct clash: winning on Wednesday, on both fronts, would mean a huge leap towards safety. An open and slippery game, a goal fest in any direction would be surprising.

WBA-Rotherham (10/04/24, 20:00 CET)
Albion is kicking themselves, holding the game in their hands at Stoke on Trent but throwing it away in the end (from 0-2 to 2-2), risking even a bitter defeat. For Corberan's men, it's the ninth positive result but also the third consecutive draw (the second at 2-2): a mini-brake that doesn't yet provide any guarantees for the

playoffs. "We suffered much more than expected, we didn't deserve the win, and we need to learn from this match," the coach doesn't hide. It's forbidden to fail in the late game: with the 0-1 loss to Plymouth, Rotherham has mathematically relegated to League One with 5 games to go. A disastrous journey for the white-and-reds, who never showed competitiveness throughout the season. Especially away from home, where Rotherham lost 16 out of 20 matches without a single win. Confidence, therefore, in a WBA victory, despite a recently shaky defense (12 goals conceded in the last 10), even by more than one goal.