Summary

  • Watford beat Millwall to seal instant return to the Premier League

  • Derby lose at home to Birmingham, Rams remain in relegation trouble

  • Derby result means Wycombe & Sheff Wed still not down despite defeats

  • Hull beat Lincoln to win promotion back to the Championship

  • Swindon & Bristol Rovers both relegated from League One after defeats

  • Mbeumo gives 10-man Brentford win at Bournemouth after Jansson is sent off - Bees guarantee play-off spot

  1. KICK-OFFpublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    We're off and running in our 15:00 BST games on what stands to be a massive afternoon in the EFL.

    Here. We. Go.

  2. U's look to secure long-awaited third tier returnpublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    League Two fixtures

    It's been a great season for Cambridge United and they'll be promoted back to the third tier for the first time since 2001-02 if they beat Stevenage today.

    Almost certainly going the other way out of the division are coastline-based Southend and Grimsby

    The Shrimpers HAVE to beat Leyton Orient today or it's all over and the Marriners realistically need to do the same against Oldham although their game in hand means a draw could be enough to keep their survival hopes alive even if only mathematically speaking.

    Here's all of today's League Two games, with all starting at 15:00 BST:

    • Cambridge United v Stevenage
    • Carlisle United v Harrogate
    • Cheltenham v Colchester United
    • Crawley v Forest Green
    • Exeter City v Newport
    • Morecambe v Bolton Wanderers
    • Oldham v Grimsby
    • Port Vale v Bradford City
    • Salford v Mansfield
    • Scunthorpe v Walsall
    • Southend United v Leyton Orient
    • Tranmere Rovers v Barrow
  3. Day of ups and downs in the third tier?published at 14:56 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    League One fixtures

    It could be a day of considerable change in League One with one possible promotion and as many as three relegations confirmed.

    A victory for Hull City over play-off chasing Lincoln today will see them promoted straight back to the Championship after just one season in the third tier.

    Down at the other end it's all over for Joey Barton's Bristol Rovers who needed a win at Portsmouth to keep their incredibly slim survival hopes alive but lost 1-0.

    Northampton and Swindon seem almost certain to be joining them in League Two next season but wins Gillingham and MK Dons respectively should be enough to keep them alive for another week at least.

    Here's today's League One games, with all of them kicking off at 15:00 BST apart from the game at Pompey which has just finished:

    • Portsmouth 1-0 Bristol Rovers
    • Blackpool v Shrewsbury
    • Charlton v Peterborough
    • Crewe v Rochdale
    • Doncaster v Fleetwood
    • Gillingham v Northampton
    • Ipswich v AFC Wimbledon
    • Lincoln v Hull City
    • MK Dons v Swindon Town
    • Oxford v Plymouth
    • Sunderland v Accrington Stanley
    • Wigan v Burton
  4. Bristol Rovers relegatedpublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 24 April 2021
    Breaking

    FT: Portsmouth 1-0 Bristol Rovers

    Confirmation of what we've known for a few days, Bristol Rovers will be playing League Two football next season.

    The Pirates had to beat Portsmouth today to keep their remote survival hopes alive but they've fallen to a 1-0 defeat.

    Boss Joey Barton had some strong things to say midweek when their relegation was all-but confirmed, I wonder if he'll be as strong again now it's definitely all over.

  5. Elsewhere in the Championshippublished at 14:51 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Blackburn v Huddersfield; Coventry v Preston; Nottingham Forest v Stoke (all 15:00 BST)

    Blackburn's form suggests they can't wait for this season to come to an end. Rovers have fallen off badly since the turn of the year and host a Huddersfield side still needing a point or two to guarantee another season in the second tier.

    From two teams who just want this campaign boxed off to one who probably wish it would keep going. Coventry have won four of their past five games to climb to the lofty heights of 15th and a victory over managerless Preston today will see them leapfrog the Deepdale side to 14th. Not bad considering that they'd have been in the relegation zone if they'd lost to Rotherham two weeks ago.

    Nottingham Forest are another side whose fans will look to quickly forget this campaign. The midweek point at Birmingham should be enough to see them safe but it's been a tough old season down by the Trent. They host 13th-placed Stoke, who boast just about the most midtable set of results you could wish for. They've won 14, drawn 14 and lost 15.

  6. More than bragging rights at stake at Oakwellpublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Barnsley v Rotherham (15:00 BST)

    You'd have probably got long odds at the start of the season that this South Yorkshire derby would include a team looking to nail down a place in the Championship play-offs.

    The Tykes have been in unbelievable form under Valerien Ismael to storm into the top six and a win today would go a long way to ensuring they're involved in the post-season shenanigans.

    Rotherham's need for the points is arguably greater though as they look to avoid a second relegation from the Championship in the past three seasons.

    The Millers have two games in hand on 21st-placed Derby but games in hand are no use if you're not winning matches.

    Make no mistake, Paul Warne's side need to get a positive result today.

  7. Tough times for Rooney's Ramspublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Derby v Birmingham (15:00 BST)

    It's been something of a baptism of fire for Wayne Rooney's first managerial appointment.

    Derby have struggled for points and goals all season but a run of just one win in 12 has seen them slump back down to 21st position.

    A victory today would go a long way towards ensuring another season of Championship football, although Rotherham do have two games in hand on the Rams.

    They host an in-form Birmingham who are all-but guaranteed another season in the second tier after a great run of results under new boss Lee Bowyer.

  8. Old foe stands in the way of struggling Owlspublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Middlesbrough v Sheff Wed (15:00 BST)

    It's been a very arduous season for Sheffield Wednesday.

    The Owls started off with a 12-point deduction (later reduced to six) and have had three managers in a campaign where they've never been higher in the table than 20th.

    Their nine-season stay in the Championship will come to an end today if they lose on Teesside and Derby beat Birmingham.

    Boro might not have anything left to play for this season but you can bet Sheffield United-supporting gaffer Neil Warnock will have his side up for this one

  9. Wanderers look to keep miracle goingpublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Cardiff v Wycombe (15:00 BST)

    Wycombe's first ever season in the second tier was always likely to be a tough one and their relegation back to League One could be confirmed today.

    If they lose and Derby avoid defeat by Birmingham City then the Chairboys will be playing third tier football again next season.

    The Bluebirds are probably their ideal opponent given they don't have anything to play for and are without a win in their past five games.

    Can Gareth Ainsworth's men keep the dream alive?

  10. Canaries target capital coronationpublished at 14:36 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    QPR v Norwich (15:00 BST)

    Norwich City are looking to secure their second Championship title in the past three seasons.

    The Canaries' promotion back to the Premier League was secured before their home games against in-form Bournemouth and Watford so perhaps not a massive surprise they've lost both of those games.

    It'll be back to business today for Daniel Farke's men and a win at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium coupled with Watford failing to overcome Millwall will see them secure the title once more.

    QPR might only have pride left to play for but they've been in excellent form themselves of late so the Canaries will need to be on song if they're to take three points today.

  11. Premier League return awaits happy Hornetspublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Watford v Millwall (15:00 BST)

    Much like Norwich before them, Watford's spell back in the Championship looks likely to be a very brief one.

    The Hornets have been in superb form over the past few months under Xisco Munoz and a win today will guarantee them promotion back to the Premier League with two games to spare.

    Standing in their way are a Millwall side who will be looking for a strong end to their season and, well, if anyone would enjoy being a party pooper you'd have to say it would be the Lions...

  12. Postpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    #bbcefl

    Phew. Some game.

    Plenty to come. Here's the irrepressible Ian Woodcock to take you through to kick-off at 15:00 BST.

  13. Moving on...published at 14:29 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Now that the action is wrapped up down on the south coast we're going to turn our attention to the 15:00 kick offs on what could prove to be a huge day for a few teams.

  14. FULL-TIMEpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 24 April 2021

    Bournemouth 0-1 Brentford

    Brentford celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    Big win for Brentford in the south coast sun as they leapfrog their hosts into third place and secure that play-off spot.

    Not even the sending-off of Pontus Jansson was enough to put them off their stride, as they remained upbeat and positive, got their reward when Bryan Mbeumo came off the bench to score the winner.

    Bournemouth came into this on the back of seven straight wins, but that record is blown away in the Boscombe breeze. Disappointing for them but maybe a timely remainder that they need to be at their best throughout.

  15. Postpublished at 90+6 mins

    Bournemouth 0-1 Brentford

    David Brooks shoots from the edge of the box for Bournemouth... blocked.

    Pinball. Cleared.

  16. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    Bournemouth 0-1 Brentford

    Barring some bright moments for Dominic Solanke and Junior Stanislas, it's been lacklustre from Bournemouth this afternoon.

    How different it might have been had Stanislas not lost his footing in the box? He was one-on-one.

    David Raya showing he's still alert despite the quiet afternoon to gather in a cross from the right. Good reflexes.

  17. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Bournemouth 0-1 Brentford

    Audible groan from Christian Norgaard as Brentford seek to push forward but his pass is cut out.

    Brentford do break then and Ivan Toney gets into the box and only Cameron Carter-Vickers' flick header to turn the ball away denies Bryan Mbeumo the chance of a second.

  18. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 90+2 mins

    Bournemouth 0-1 Brentford

    Mads Roerslev does make way and Saman Ghoddos is on. Brentford make their switch.

  19. Postpublished at 90+1 mins

    Bournemouth 0-1 Brentford

    Ivan Toney heads the Bournemouth cross away with all the enthusiasm of a man meeting a teasing centre to score in a cup final.

    Does the hard yards at the back.

    Into added time now. SIX MINUTES.

  20. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Bournemouth 0-1 Brentford

    Vitaly Janelt just nods the free-kick away. He was booked before.

    Ivan Toney looks like he will be withdrawn shortly, probably so he doesn't immerse himself in more trouble.

    Saman Ghoddos is the man being prepared. Mind you, Mads Roerslev is down injured. Might spare Toney the hook.