The second instalment of the Championship's Easter programme sees Southampton hoping to reassert their position at the top.
Saints aim to reassert authority as relegation rivals clash
The second instalment of the Championship's Easter programme sees Southampton hoping to reassert their position at the top and a big game in the relegation battle.
There is also a tasty meeting between third and fourth and, given the congested nature of the table, there is no surprise that a couple of play-off rivals lock horns.
Southampton are only leading the table on goal difference after being held to a last-gasp draw by local rivals Portsmouth at the weekend and will be keen to pick up three points at
Crystal Palace.
With second-placed Reading not in action until Tuesday,
West Ham can close the gap to just one point when hosting
Birmingham City at Upton Park in the late kick-off.
Down at the bottom end of the table,
Coventry City could climb out of the bottom three, and dump
Bristol City in the drop zone, with victory at Ashton Gate.
Bottom club
Doncaster Rovers are eight points from safety with five games to play and welcome
Burnley to the Keepmoat Stadium.
Hull City and
Middlesbrough have seen their play-off hopes dented in recent weeks following a dip in form and the two clubs clash at the KC Stadium.
Blackpool are up to fifth spot after back-to-back victories and will be confident of another three points at home to
Barnsley.
Cardiff City have climbed back into the top six after a five-match unbeaten run and manager Malky Mackay welcomes his former club
Watford to South Wales.
Leicester City are not yet out of the play-off picture and will aim to follow up a weekend thrashing of Doncaster with success at
Ipswich Town.
Nottingham Forest are not out of the relegation woods and head to
Peterborough United, who can pass the 50-point mark with victory at London Road.
Leeds United and
Derby County are both on 57 points and face each other at Elland Road, but look to have left it too late to make the play-offs.
