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Five things: What to look out for this weekend

24 August 2017

Another full EFL schedule is here, and it follows a thrilling round of Carabao Cup action. We'll see first-hand how some of Round Two's triumphant teams fare on their EFL return, and that's not all there is to look forward to.

Here are five things to keep an eye out for this weekend...

Paul Cook v Portsmouth

Paul Cook has led Wigan Athletic to the top of Sky Bet League One after three games, following a perfect start to the new campaign. Standing in his way of extending that winning streak is a club he is more than familiar with.

Portsmouth are the visitors to the Latics this weekend, where Cook was manager for two years, successfully guiding them to promotion as Sky Bet League Two champions last year.

The two clubs haven't met since 2010, when the pair battled out a goalless draw in the Premier League, and it's a first EFL clash since 1983 – another 0-0. Will there be goals this time around?

Carabao Cup heroes on Sky Sports

There were a number of upsets in the Carabao Cup in midweek, with Nottingham Forest and Bristol City among those sinking higher tier opposition.

The latter of those get started at home to Aston Villa in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Friday night, following their 3-2 success over Watford, and it's then off to the City Ground on Saturday evening.

TV Games: Click here for televised matches domestically and overseas

Forest, who ousted Newcastle United on Wednesday night – also via a 3-2 scoreline – welcome Leeds United, who thrashed Newport County at Elland Road. Speaking of whom...

There's no place like home

After three straight away matches in Sky Bet League Two, and two in the Carabao Cup, it's time for Newport County's homecoming.

After suffering from problems with their pitch in recent times, the club have been re-laying the surface at Rodney Parade, and they return to South Wales undefeated in the EFL with one win and two draws from a potentially sticky start.

Chesterfield are the visitors this time around, and they'll be hoping there's not too much for the home fans to shout about – unlike the last time the Exiles played a fixture at home!

The Great Escape: Click here to see Newport heroes relive last year's survival

Breaking the duck

Following the most recent round of EFL fixtures, just one of the 72 clubs are still to find the net this season, and that's Gillingham. Josh Wright had the perfect opportunity to get off the mark last week at Milton Keynes Dons, but he blasted his penalty kick over the crossbar as the Gills fell to a 1-0 defeat.

However, they do have a point to their name, which is more than can be said for three clubs. Northampton Town and Oldham Athletic are yet to get off the mark – the Latics travel to Blackpool, while the Cobblers host rivals Peterborough United.

Preview: Click here for a look ahead to the EFL weekend

The other club without a point are Crawley Town, and Harry Kewell's men visit Sky Bet League Two leaders Swindon Town this weekend.

Rovers' return

We've mentioned two clubs who toppled top-flight opponents in midweek, but two Sky Bet League One teams showed their quality too, knocking out clubs from the second tier in the Carabao Cup.

Carabao Cup: Click here for the Round Two review

Doncaster Rovers were impressive 2-0 winners over Hull City, and in-form Alfie May has scored in four straight games ahead of this weekend's visit to AFC Wimbledon.

The other team in question are Bristol Rovers, who kept Fulham quiet to come away from Craven Cottage with a fine 1-0 win. They were 3-2 winners at Bury last week, and on Saturday they play host to Fleetwood Town, who have made a perfect start to the campaign.


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