It’s a bumper weekend of EFL action that includes plenty of eye-catching fixtures to watch out for.
Here’s five things we’ve picked out for you to watch out for across the two days of action.New managers at the helm
Dave Jones is back in the EFL with Hartlepool United, and it's his first ever spell in Sky Bet League Two. He won't be in the dugout for Saturday's fixture against Stevenage though – caretaker Sam Collins remains in charge for that match.
Jones has been out of management since he left Sheffield Wednesday in 2013 and takes over at Pools with them sat in 19th spot.
In Sky Bet League One, two new managers take to the dugout. Gary Caldwell steps out at Chesterfield for the first time and Justin Edinburgh is in charge of his maiden game as Northampton Town boss after watching from the stands last weekend.If you've not watched Dave Jones' first interview as boss then check it out on Pools PlayerHD here: https://t.co/FDpv8RH3y6#WelcomeDavepic.twitter.com/pOb4iwwvDL
— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) January 19, 2017
The three new faces will be hoping to fare better in charge of their new clubs than Gianfranco Zola has with Birmingham City. The Blues boss is without a win from his first seven fixtures.
There’s no place like home
Four sides across the EFL still boast unbeaten home records, with three of them playing on their own turf this Saturday.
In the Championship, Aston Villa are the only side to have achieved the feat in the division. They've played 12 fixtures at Villa Park and have won six and drawn six, scoring 19 and conceding 10 in the process.
In Sky Bet League One there are still two sides yet to taste defeat in their home surroundings – second-placed Scunthorpe and fourth-placed Bradford.
The Bantams face Millwall at Valley Parade this weekend, looking to extend the run to 15 games after drawing eight and winning six so far.
Scunthorpe are away to Charlton this weekend but their home record is well worth a mention. They went throughout the whole of 2016 without a loss at Glanford Park, and have won eight and drawn five there so far this season, amassing an impressive 30 goals in the process.
Sky Bet League Two's representatives are leaders Doncaster Rovers. Their unbeaten home run in the league is made up of 10 wins and three draws.
Lowly Crewe Alexandra visit the Keepmoat this weekend and the Railwaymen are without a win on the road since October, so Rovers will be confident of keeping their fine form up.
Instant impacts?
The January transfer window has already thrown up plenty of eyebrow-raising moves, but how many of them can hit the ground running this weekend?
Sam Winnall made his Sheffield Wednesday debut from the bench on Matchday 26 and could be in line for his first start against Brighton & Hove Albion. He has already notched 11 goals this season in the colours of Yorkshire rivals Barnsley and is likely to add to that tally as part of the Owls’ potent front line.
Justin Edinburgh’s first signing as Northampton Town boss was Crystal Palace starlet Keshi Anderson. He’s previously been on loan with Bolton Wanderers and Doncaster Rovers and now has the chance to make his mark at Sixfields.
Grimsby Town's Marcus Bignot has reunited himself with two familiar faces in the week as he made a double signing from former club Solihull Moors.
Akwasi Asante and Jamey Osbourne are the two new men in the door at Blundell Park and Bignot will be hoping they can prove as successful as the other former Moors man in the line-up, Omar Bogle.
Battle of the form sidesAkwasi Asante will wear shirt number 29, with Jamey Osborne wearing the number 32 shirt. #GTFC#UTMpic.twitter.com/1I4sEQfVR8
— Grimsby Town FC (@officialgtfc) January 19, 2017
Exeter City and Colchester United are two of the form sides in Sky Bet League Two ahead of their meeting this weekend.
Paul Tisdale’s men struggled through much of the season, but a 1-0 victory away to Leyton Orient on 22nd November seems to have been a turning point. They’re unbeaten since that date with six wins and two draws.
Colchester's upturn also started on 22nd November when they beat Cheltenham Town 3-0 for what was, at the time, a first victory in 11 games.
They've notched seven wins in nine since then and sit in the Play-Off places.
On the box
If you’re not heading out to watch your team this weekend, put your feet up in front of the television as there is plenty of live EFL action on Sky Sports to enjoy.
It begins on Friday evening with a brilliant tie from the top end of the Sky Bet Championship as second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion host Sheffield Wednesday at the AMEX Stadium.
The Seagulls are unbeaten since September on home soil, but that won’t faze the Owls who have already been to leaders Newcastle United this season and come away with three points.
Then, on Saturday, it’s derby day!
The live action begins in West London where Fulham make the short trip to Loftus Road to face Queens Park Rangers.
The Cottagers have only lost two games in their previous 11 outings, while Ian Holloway's side have won their last three.
The TV action is capped off on Saturday evening with a Yorkshire derby as Barnsley welcome Leeds United to Oakwell.
Paul Heckingbottom’s men haven’t lost at home in the league since November whilst Garry Monk’s Leeds have won seven of their last nine Championship fixtures to sit third.
TV Games: What’s coming up on Sky Sports
Follow, follow, follow...
>> Twitter.com/EFL
>> Facebook.com/TheEFL
>> Instagram.com/efl