Tight Championship Race and Foden's Crucial Moment Ahead of FA Cup Showdown

Today marks a packed day in the EFL, kicking off with Middlesbrough facing Millwall and Doncaster taking on Walsall at 12:30 PM. The matchup between Boro and Millwall stands out, as the competition for the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship intensifies. Fifth-placed Hull visits Oxford Third-placed Ipswich enjoys a bye week, originally scheduled to play against Southampton, who are instead focused on the FA Cup. In international news, Phil Foden had a challenging spell during the international break, starting two matches for England under coach Thomas Tuchel. Despite being tested in various positions, Foden's performances fell short, contributing to a disappointing total of one assist and no goals across his last 22 appearances for club and country. This underwhelming form has seen him slip behind Rayan Cherki in Pep Guardiola's lineup, with Foden not completing a full 90 minutes since January. With crucial trophies still on the horizon, including the FA Cup, Foden faces a pivotal moment in his career. A strong performance against Liverpool could be vital, especially given the Reds' historical struggles against intelligent No 10s. The next six weeks are critical for Foden to reclaim his status as a world-class player and make his mark as the season approaches its climax.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-03