Gabriel Sutton's EFL Weekend Picks

Derby will rubber-stamp promotion on Saturday lunchtime, if they avoid defeat, or if Bolton fail to beat Peterborough.

Technically, the Rams would secure their top two berth in the unlikely event that neither of those things happen, if a four-goal swing between themselves and Ian Evatt’s side is avoided.

Those specific details should fade into insignificance, though, because Paul Warne’s men are facing a Carlisle side who have long since seen relegation confirmed, with 16 defeats in their previous 20 league games.

Conversely, Derby were as low as ninth after a 3-1 loss at Stevenage at the end of October but have since won a whopping 21 in 36 to ascend to this position, thanks to the form of centre-backs Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin, plus strong wide ball-carrier Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

It’s common for the longest winning run in a League Two season to be as low as five, so to have two this season in double-figures is quite remarkable.

Stockport’s Autumn 12 won’t be topped, but Doncaster now have 10 victories in a row, thanks to their midweek 4-1 triumph at Colchester which, more importantly, leaves Grant McCann’s side needing just a point to finish in the top seven.

Donny began the previous month as low as 20th, believe it or not, but inconsistency elsewhere has paved the way for the South Yorkshire outfit too storm into Play-Off spots, thanks to smart January additions and key men returning from injury.

Gillingham, meanwhile, are out of the equation – having scored one fewer goal than the number of games played, the Kent outfit require pace and firepower to contend next season.

After signing from Atalanta, following a prolific loan spell in the Swiss Super League with St Gallen, Emmanuel Latte Lath was always likely to require time to acclimatize to the intensity of the Championship – and that adjustment period highlighted by five league goals before March.

The Ivorian has scored a whopping nine goals in his last 10, though, delivering against the top sides as well, displaying intelligent movement with powerful running – knowing when not to make the run as well - strong aerial ability and bringing his clinical instincts more to the table.

Strong on either foot, Latte Lath provides a varied threat and that’s something Cardiff must be wary of, despite Monday’s 4-3 defeat to Leeds confirming Middlesbrough’s place in the Championship next season.

Birmingham’s goalless draw at Rotherham, and Huddersfield’s 4-0 home defeat to Swansea, represent damaging results for the relegation-threatened outfits last Saturday, especially considering Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-1 victory at Blackburn the following day.

Had the Owls failed to win, the projected points tally required for survival would have been lower for Blues and Town, and either of them could have drawn Saturday’s game and still been in a reasonable position – instead it seems a draw won’t do for either.

The goalscoring numbers for either side – 47 for the hosts and one more for the visitors from 45 games apiece – might suggest a low-scoring encounter, but the permutations imply the complete opposite.

Gary Rowett’s side have a striker in Jay Stansfield who should thrive in transitions, while an end-to-end game might suit the likes of Sorba Thomas, Josh Koroma and Jaheim Headley.

Blackburn’s 3-1 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday means John Eustace’s side go into the penultimate weekend with a three-point cushion to safety rather than four: too close for comfort for the Lancashire outfit.

Rovers travel on the final day to champions elect Leicester, who have rediscovered their ruthless streak, so victory over Play-Off outsiders Coventry is a must.

The Sky Blues are left with a fixture pile-up after their gallant FA Cup heroics against Manchester United in the Semi-Final, and it could be difficult for Mark Robins’ side to maintain standards.

Blackburn are capable on their day, too – mixed in with a couple of poor showings in April, they’ve also won 5-1 at Sunderland, held Southampton to a goalless draw and been victorious at Elland Road this month too.