After an entertaining weekend of football, the EFL returns, with fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Here’s the preview…
Coleman begins Black Cats tenure
Chris Coleman’s first match in charge of Sunderland comes at Villa Park, as he takes his new club to face Aston Villa.
The men from the Stadium of Light currently sit bottom of the Sky Bet Championship, but the Welshman will be looking to kick things off with three points.
Their opponents come into the game on the back off an impressive comeback victory against Queens Park Rangers, with Albert Adomah scoring both goals in a 2-1 win.
Five unbeaten for the Owls?
There’s action on Wednesday night also, with three fixtures taking place and, one of these comes from Portman Road, as Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday do battle.
Should the visitors avoid defeat, it would extend their unbeaten run to five matches, but a win could see them rise into the play-off places, depending on Tuesday’s results.
The match is live on Sky Sports, and given the close proximity with which the two sides sit in the table it should be an intriguing encounter to watch.
Around the grounds
Leeds United travel to the league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers after getting the better of Middlesbrough on Sunday, while second-placed Sheffield United host Fulham at Bramall Lane.
Cardiff City are keeping pace at the top though, and they’ll be searching for three points against Barnsley.
It’s now six matches without defeat for Bolton Wanderers, and a triumph over Reading could lift them out of the relegation zone.
Another side who are within touching distance of climbing out of the bottom three are Burton Albion, and next up for them is a trip to Brentford.
Sky Bet Championship: Matchday 18 fixtures (7:45pm kick-off unless stated)
Tuesday 21st November
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Barnsley v Cardiff City
Brentford v Burton Albion
Bristol City v Preston North End
Derby County v Queens Park Rangers
Millwall v Hull City
Nottingham Forest v Norwich City
Sheffield United v Fulham
Bolton Wanderers v Reading (8pm)
Wednesday 22nd November
Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday (live on Sky Sports)
Middlesbrough v Birmingham City
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United
APPOINTMENTS: Match officials on midweek duty
Play-off occupants clash
It’s third against fourth at the Northern Commercials Stadium, with Bradford City entertaining Scunthorpe United.
Just one place and point separates the two clubs at present, but the Iron are on a four-game winning streak.
Their last meeting in West Yorkshire ended 0-0, however, after there was nothing to choose between them on Boxing Day of 2016.
More points for Pompey?
Kenny Jacket’s Portsmouth side have a hat-trick of victories in their sights, following respective triumphs against Blackpool and Southend United.
They visit Peterborough United on Tuesday, who themselves sit directly below Pompey in the Sky Bet League One standings.
It’ll be their first clash in league competition for over three years, with the men from Fratton Park winning out 3-0 away from home on that occasion.
Around the grounds
Shrewsbury Town’s lead at the summit of the table was extended to four points following a late winner at Rotherham United — Paul Hurst takes his team to Bury.
Second-placed Wigan Athletic will be looking for a return to winning ways on home soil when Doncaster Rovers visit the DW Stadium.
In terms of the play-off picture, Charlton Athletic and Blackburn Rovers take on Rochdale and Oxford United respectively. The U’s and Rovers last met in the league back in 1992.
Success over Walsall lifted Gillingham out of the bottom four on Saturday, ahead of their upcoming encounter at Blackpool — a ground where they haven’t won at since 1987.
Sky Bet League One: Matchday 19 fixtures (all 7:45pm kick-off)
Tuesday 21st November
Blackpool v Gillingham
Bradford City v Scunthorpe United
Bury v Shrewsbury Town
Charlton Athletic v Rochdale
Milton Keynes Dons v Southend United
Oldham Athletic v AFC Wimbledon
Oxford United v Blackburn Rovers
Peterborough United v Portsmouth
Plymouth Argyle v Northampton Town
Walsall v Fleetwood Town
Wigan Athletic v Doncaster Rovers
APPOINTMENTS: Match officials on midweek duty
In-form Robins
It’s three wins out of their last four games for Swindon Town, who currently sit fifth ahead of a trip to Grimsby Town.
David Flitcroft witnessed his team come from behind to win at Yeovil Town last time out, to close the gap to the automatic promotion spots to just two points.
The Mariners haven’t found the back of the net in their previous four league matches, and would welcome a return to goalscoring ways against the Robins.
Goals galore?
Two of the division’s highest scorers go toe-to-toe at Kenilworth Road, as Luton Town take on Carlisle United.
The Hatters have struck 43 times in Sky Bet League Two thus far this season, making them the prolific side in the division, while the Cumbrians have registered 27 strikes, which subsequently leaves them sixth in terms of goals.
Both come into the game following wins at the weekend, in what promises to be an entertaining match-up.
Around the grounds
At Huish Park, Yeovil Town host the League Two pacesetters Notts County, who at present have a two-point cushion over second-placed Luton.
Accrington Stanley have a testing challenge against Wycombe Wanderers at the Wham Stadium, with Exeter City also travelling to Crawley Town.
Victory for Mansfield at Port Vale could lift them into a play-off spot, with the same scenario on the cards for Newport County and Lincoln City, who take on Barnet and Colchester United respectively.
At the bottom, Chesterfield will go into their clash with an in-form Forest Green Rovers full of confidence after seeing off Exeter City last time out.
Sky Bet League Two: Matchday 19 fixtures (all 7:45pm kick-off)
Tuesday 21st November
Accrington Stanley v Wycombe Wanderers
Cheltenham Town v Cambridge United
Chesterfield v Forest Green Rovers
Colchester United v Lincoln City
Crawley Town v Exeter City
Grimsby Town v Swindon Town
Luton Town v Carlisle United
Morecambe v Crewe Alexandra
Newport County AFC v Barnet
Port Vale v Mansfield Town