The downhill stretch to the end of the season has well and truly begun with all leagues now taking shape and time running out for teams to stave off relegation and reach promotion. This weekend’s football has helped to shape the football pyramid with many teams considering themselves a winner and loser this week.
WINNERS
1) LEICESTER CITY
Ever since the sacking of Claudio Ranieri, which divided opinion at the very least, Leicester have been performing very well under Craig Shakespeare, winning four in a row in all competitions. Their victory this weekend was a very good away victory at the Olympic Stadium. Scoring all three goals inside 38 minutes allowed Leicester to blow away West Ham and concluded a very good week for the Foxes who had came through a tricky tie against Sevilla last Tuesday. Leicester are now six points off the relegation zone and look too have their Premier League position secured for next year.
2) STEVENAGE
Stevenage Vs Portsmouth may not appear as the most glamorous tie, yet in League 2, it pitted two of the most form teams against each other. Stevenage in fourth hosted Portsmouth in third as their bids for promotion gained speed. It was Stevenage who’s promotion hopes increased dramatically as they defeated their opponents 3-0. The home side’s victory never looked in doubt as Matt Godden increased his great goal-scoring form and Stevenage closed the gap to Portsmouth to just four points.
3) BRENTFORD
Brentford have often sailed under the radar this season as their very uninspiring season has left fans without too much to shout about. However, this week saw an eight-goal thriller involving the Bees and Burton Albion where Brentford came from 3-1 down to win 5-3, courtesy of goals in the 85th and 86th minute. Hosts Burton also played their part in the highest-scoring game of the day and, despite this result meaning very little for Brentford’s position in the league, it will undoubtedly excite fans and give them hope for a few more thrills this season.
LOSERS
1) ARSENAL
A match away to any Tony Pulis side is a difficult match for anyone, but for an out-of-form and confidence stricken Arsenal side, this was potentially the worst fixture to play. West Brom were physically stronger than Arsenal who lacked the quality to battle West Brom’s physicality. Arsene Wenger is facing huge pressure as Arsenal’s poor form continues and they currently lie in sixth position, out of the top-four by six points.
2) ROTHERHAM UNITED
The most forgettable season in Rotherham’s recent history hit a new low this weekend after a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers. After falling behind just five minutes into the game, Rotherham levelled after 13 minutes and things appeared to look up for the Millers. However, they were level for just two minutes as QPR regained the lead through Luke Freeman and then scored three further unanswered goals as Rotherham’s relegation to League 1 looks all but confirmed.
3) SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Just two months ago, Scunthorpe looked destined to be a feature in the Championship next season as they sat pretty at the top of the table, ahead of Sheffield United. But a dire run, winning just one game since the 28th January, has seen them slip to fifth in the table, potentially losing their position in the play-off places itself if Millwall can take full points from their games in hand. Oxford United were the most recent beneficiaries of Scunthorpe’s poor form as they defeated the Iron 2-1. A very poor few weeks for Scunthorpe has been compounded by this weekend’s results and they look like staying a League 1 team next year.
