Asmir Begović and AFC Bournemouth will compete in the Championship playoffs. Although they suffered a narrow loss to promotion rivals Brentford this weekend, the Cherries had their play-off place confirmed with the 2-2 draw between Reading and Swansea City. With two matches left to play, Bournemouth are currently fourth, eight points ahead of the Royals.
In League One, Blackpool suffered their first home defeat in 2021, losing 1-0 to Shrewsbury. Chris Maxwell and the Seasiders are still in contention for the play-off places, being sixth with four matches left to play. Jay Lynch and his Rochdale side won a point at Crewe Alexandra (1-1).
Joe Murphy was a man of the match for Tranmere Rovers in a crucial 1-0 win against Barrow at Prenton Park. Rovers claimed their second win of the week, and a third clean sheet inside seven days, keeping alive their hopes of direct promotion to League One.
Marko Marić and his Houston Dynamo suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to the Portland Timbers this weekend at Providence Park. In the Australian A-League, Macarthur FC, with Adam Federici on goal, have secured a well-earned point with a 1-1 draw against Melbourne City.
In Sweden, Marko Johansson’s Malmo FF dropped two points at home to Ostersund (1-1), while Budimir Janošević kept the clean sheet and was one of the best players for his AIK in their huge win over city rivals Hammarby (2-0). August Stromberg was on the goal for his Varbergs BoIS this weekend when they lost to league leaders Djurgarden 3-1.