After a full week off for cup competitions, the action and drama of the EFL returns this weekend with the sixth round of fixtures.
Sheffield United moved top of the Championship table with an emphatic 3-0 win over early frontrunners Blackburn Rovers in round five, making their intentions clear to the rest of the division. Reading continued their surprising start with a win over Middlesbrough, whilst Coventry return to action this weekend after postponing their fixture against Huddersfield last time out.
In League One, Ipswich and Portsmouth continued their unbeaten starts, whilst Leyton Orient and Stevenage lead the way in League Two. Here is your weekend preview to get you ready for week six.
The Championship
Luton Town vs Sheffield United
We’ll start with the league leaders, who after last weekend’s statement result, make the trip to Bedfordshire to take on Luton at Kenilworth Road. Paul Heckingbottom’s side were tipped as one of the favourites for promotion this year and are starting to show why. The Blades have scored nine goals so far this season, the most out of anyone in the division, and are undefeated since the opening weekend. Young midfielder Iliman Ndiaye came off the bench to score a late brace against Rovers, taking his tally for the season to three goals in his opening five matches.
Luton, however, are in a slightly different run of form, sitting 18th in the table after just one win from their opening five games - which came last weekend in a 2-0 victory away at Swansea City. Manager Nathan Jones was left delighted with his side’s performance in South Wales and it’s safe to assume he’ll be feeling the same should they get a result here.
Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke City
Stoke shocked the EFL landscape this week by parting company with manager Michael O’Neill, following just one win from their opening five league games. The Northern Irishman had been in the Potteries for just over two years, after replacing former boss Nathan Jones in 2019. Assistant boss Dean Holden will take charge on an interim basis, with his first test a trip to Ewood Park this weekend. The Potters were beaten 1-0 by newly-promoted Sunderland last time out and will be looking to make a good start to the post-O’Neill era here.
The hosts, however, have for the most part excelled under new boss Jon Dahl Tomasson. Last weekend’s defeat to Sheffield United was a disappointment, but three wins from their opening five have placed them as a side who could be firmly in contention for a promotion challenge. That is, of course, dependent on the future of forward Ben Brereton Diaz, who has been linked with a move away from the club before the end of the summer transfer window.
What are your weekend EFL predictions? Let us know in the comments below.
Hull City vs Coventry City
It’s not been an easy start for Coventry this season, and that’s just off the pitch. Issues with the playing surface at the CBS Arena meant the Sky Blues are yet to play a home game this campaign, with the latest postponement coming last weekend for their fixture against Huddersfield. They return to action this time out, however, travelling up to East Yorkshire to take on Hull City.
The Tigers have made a decent start to life in their first full season under Turkish ownership, sitting sixth with two wins, two draws and just one defeat. That defeat last weekend at West Bromwich Albion might be seen as a bit of a wake up call, though, as Shota Arveladze’s side let in five at the Hawthorns. A win today would put things back on track, and continue their surprisingly impressive start.
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League One
Cambridge United vs Burton Albion
Is it nearly time up for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink? The Brewers have made a disastrous start to the new League One campaign, taking just one point from the opening five league games.
They were beaten 2-0 on home soil by newly-promoted Port Vale last time out, with the Dutchman admitting after the game that his future could be in doubt should his side’s form continue. They take on Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium this weekend and could do with a result if they’re going to start turning things around.
League Two
Rochdale vs Crawley Town
A battle at the bottom of League Two this weekend sees 24th-placed Rochdale face 23rd-placed Crawley at Spotland. Both sides are two of three sides left in the division without a win, with the hosts having lost their opening five consecutive fixtures and are still managerless following the sacking of Robbie Stockdale.
Crawley saw a monumental victory in midweek, beating Premier League side Fulham in the Carabao Cup, but now need improvement when it comes to the league.
