Summary

  • Leeds win 2-0 at 10-man Preston to go second in the Championship

  • West Brom fight back from three down after 19 minutes but lose 3-2 at Bristol City

  • Sheff Wed and Middlesbrough win to boost play-off hopes

  • Derby lose at Blackburn; Swansea beat nine-man Stoke

  • Sunderland go second in League One after 1-1 draw with Burton

  • Macclesfield beat Exeter to climb out of the League Two relegation zone

  1. Watch 5 Live Final Scorepublished at 19:44 BST 9 April 2019

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    5 live Final Score

    Away from the EFL, it's a big night of Champions League action as Tottenham face Manchester City and Liverpool host Porto in the first leg of their respective quarter-finals. You can follow those games here.

    What that does mean is that we have the added bonus of being able to bring you a 5 Live Final Score, allowing you to listen to our colleagues' radio coverage alongside a vidiprinter service as the goals go in.

    Simply click the play button at the top of the page to follow it.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:43 BST 9 April 2019

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    BeachImage source, Getty Images

    Now we're in April, I think it's fair to say we're into what Sir Alex Ferguson called "squeaky bum time".

    So how are your nerves? Shot to pieces with your team embroiled in the action at the top or bottom of a table?

    Or, like your mid-table team, are you on the beach already?

    Whoever you support, get in touch at #bbcefl on Twitter. Think of it as therapy.

  3. Fight to the finish...published at 19:42 BST 9 April 2019

    Championship

    Frank LampardImage source, Getty Images

    Elsewhere... Derby County will be looking to make a return to the top six when they travel to Blackburn Rovers having spent a month or so on the fringes.

    Middlesbrough's spiralling form has sent the Teessiders tumbling out of the top six, so a win tonight at Bolton is a must - just as a result for Wanderers is equally key given their issues at the other end of the table.

    Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest are pretty much involved in a shoot-out tonight to see who remains in the play-off mix. The atmosphere at Hillsborough could be a bit tense.

  4. Scouting mission for Giggspublished at 19:41 BST 9 April 2019

    Swansea v Stoke

    Gareth Vincent
    BBC Sport Wales at the Liberty Stadium

    Dan JamesImage source, Getty Images

    Ryan Giggs is at the Liberty Stadium tonight for the first time since becoming Wales manager - and there is plenty for him to see.

    Swansea include man-of-the-moment Dan James and fellow Wales international Connor Roberts, while highly promising centre-back Joe Rodon is on the bench.

    Stoke have three Welshmen in their starting line-up - striker Sam Vokes plus Swansea old boys Joe Allen and Ashley Williams.

  5. 'The chance to finish first is a really high motivation'published at 19:38 BST 9 April 2019

    Preston v Leeds (19:45 BST)

    Pablo HernandezImage source, Getty Images

    Normally the appointment of a new manager is accompanied by buzz-phrases such as 'five-year plan'.

    There was no need for that kind of jargon when Marcelo Bielsa was brought into Leeds United. The master coach has been an instant hit at Elland Road, turning the fallen giants into a genuine promotion hopeful.

    Here they find themselves on the cusp of a return to the top flight for the first time since 2004, and can leapfrog Sheffield United into second place with a win at Deepdale.

    "The chance to finish in the first or second position is a really high motivation," Bielsa told BBC Radio Leeds.

    "It's the aim, the objective, of one year's work.

    "In the last part of the season we are going to solve this situation, and our motivation is higher."

  6. 'They've performed remarkably well this season'published at 19:35 BST 9 April 2019

    Preston v Leeds (19:45 BST)

    Alex Neil and Ben PearsonImage source, Getty Images

    Alex Neil knows a thing or two about taking teams out of the Championship, having steered Norwich impressively toward the big time in 2015.

    He is trying to follow up that achievement with a North End squad that is just five points off sixth, but facing the formidable task of stopping Leeds United tonight.

    "This will be the youngest Preston squad in decades," Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire.

    "They've performed remarkably well this season and the only disappointment is we'd liked to have had our key players fit.

    "If we did we'd be in with a right shout - we still are - but it certainly helps if everyone's available."

  7. No dwelling for the Baggiespublished at 19:31 BST 9 April 2019

    Bristol City v West Brom (19:45 BST)

    James ShanImage source, Getty Images

    West Bromwich Albion's three-match winning run was brought to a shuddering halt against Millwall in their last outing, as the Baggies went down 2-0 in south east London.

    But with games coming thick and fast - notably tonight's game against Bristol City - caretaker boss James Shan is not dwelling on the result.

    "Losing a game is a dent," Shan told BBC WM. "We're judged on winning games which brings a nice momentum and feeling around the training ground.

    "There was disappointment on Saturday and into Sunday but we have to park that, be professional and move on.

    "It's a different task against Bristol City, we'll move on and I'm sure the players will have a professional mindset, put that to one side we'll look forward."

  8. "The boys are in a good place"published at 19:29 BST 9 April 2019

    Bristol City v West Brom (19:45 BST)

    Bristol City celebrate a goalImage source, Getty Images

    The Championship play-off race looks a bit like a cycling peloton at the moment, given how concertinaed it's all getting in the top half.

    One of the riders fully ensconced in the pack is Bristol City, back to form after a mini-blip in late February-early March.

    Their last win at Ashton Gate was against QPR in February, not that assistant boss Jamie McAllister is bothered.

    "We've got to keep winning games, whether it be home or away, we are unbeaten in the last three," McAllister told BBC Radio Bristol.

    "We go in to the game full of confidence, the boys are in a good place.

    "It's fourth versus sixth, we want to close the gap in front of the TV cameras, under the floodlights, there's nothing better."

  9. Welcomepublished at 19:25 BST 9 April 2019

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    Right, plenty to get through as we guide you through to kick-off.

    Six games, all tasty match-ups in the Championship plus a smattering of League One and Two action.

    Let's get started.

  10. Can Sol Macc a difference?published at 19:22 BST 9 April 2019

    League Two

    Sol CampbellImage source, Getty Images

    Twice in his career, Sol Campbell was the proud recipient of a Premier League winners' medal, finishing top of a football pyramid comprising of 92 professional clubs. Impressive.

    So, it is no doubt something of a culture shock for the former England international to be mixing it at the other end, bottom of the entire professional league system.

    Yep, the Silkmen continue to prop up the rest and their quest to avoid relegation back to the National League after just one season sees them host play-off hopefuls Exeter.

    Swindon travel to Newport in the fourth tier's other game.

  11. Good night for red and white?published at 19:20 BST 9 April 2019

    League One

    Charlie Wyke celebrates for SunderlandImage source, Getty Images

    Two sides in the thick of the promotion mix-up in the third tier - both of whom have moved in the elite circles of the Premier League in recent memory - continue their push for the Championship tonight.

    Sunderland brushed off their Checkatrade Trophy final disappointment to move level on points with second-placed Barnsley after Saturday's win at Rochdale. With games in hand, including tonight's visit of Burton, they can leapfrog them.

    Charlton, in fifth, take on a Wycombe side keen to ease their lingering relegation worries.

    Meanwhile, Dale get back on the proverbial horse in their bid to avoid the drop, away to fellow strugglers Accrington Stanley.

  12. Automatic for the peoplepublished at 19:18 BST 9 April 2019

    Championship

    Marcelo Bielsa pointsImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    "The Premier League is that way, lads..."

    Leeds United have plenty to gain tonight, as with their automatic promotion rivals playing tomorrow, they can strike an early blow.

    Victory, against a Preston North End side still in the shake-up for the top six, would put them into the top two, albeit temporarily if currently second-placed Sheffield United win on Wednesday.

    The race for the play-offs remains a real open book, with even Sheffield Wednesday down in 12th just six points off Bristol City in sixth. Both are in action tonight, as are fellow hopefuls Villa, Derby, Forest and West Brom.

    Middlesbrough, whose promotion bid is unravelling after SIX straight defeats, travel to one side possibly even more desperate than they in Bolton - who are bidding to avoid relegation amid a tumultuous campaign.

    Top of the ChampionshipImage source, .
  13. Countdownpublished at 19:15 BST 9 April 2019

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    Blackburn fan looking at his phoneImage source, Getty Images

    The fact we now know the identity of the FA Cup finalists tells you, quite soberingly, that we're almost at the season's end.

    Just six games remain for the majority of the EFL clubs, and yet there is still plenty to be decided throughout the three divisions.

    Whether you're planning a promotion party, feigning indifference at a season of consolidation or praying for the nightmare to end... there's bound to be something to pique your interest in tonight's live text.