Skip to main content Skip to site footer
General

Preview: the big games coming up in midweek

23 November 2020

The EFL fixtures continue to come thick and fast, and there's more action on the way in midweek across all three divisions.

Below, we've picked out three upcoming matches to look out for in the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two respectively...

EFLSB_CH_L_DM_REG_ST_RGB.png

Stoke City v Norwich City

Norwich City lead the way in the Sky Bet Championship following the weekend's action, and the Canaries face a tough task in trying to remain there on Tuesday evening, as they travel to in-form Stoke City. Free-scoring Stoke are seventh in the standings but just three points behind Daniel Farke's men, making this a match not to be missed. Both of these sides have won three of their last four league games.

Preston North End v Blackburn Rovers

Tuesday evening also brings a highly anticipated Lancashire derby, with Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers preparing to go head-to-head at Deepdale. These two are separated by just one point going into the game and, if last season's meeting - a 3-2 win for North End - is anything to go by, we're in for a treat. Who will take the points, and the bragging rights in midweek?

Bristol City v Watford

Two more sides separated by just a point will face off on Wednesday night, as third-placed Bristol City and fifth-placed Watford meet at Ashton Gate. There's an added incentive beyond three points here, with both teams knowing they could go top of the table with a win, if other results go their way. City are the form side at the moment, having won each of their last three league matches. 

EFLSB_LO_L_DM_REG_ST_RGB.png

Ipswich Town v Hull City

There's a huge game coming up at the top of Sky Bet League One in midweek, as top-of-the-table Hull City travel south to face Ipswich Town, who sit two points and two places below them in the standings. Both sides have won three of their last four league games, including respective victories at the weekend, with Ipswich buoyed by a 97th-minute winner against Shrewsbury Town. The Tractor Boys haven't beaten Hull in any competition since May 2008.

Portsmouth v Oxford United

One point and one place below Ipswich are Portsmouth, who also picked up a win at the weekend by breezing past Crewe Alexandra at Fratton Park. They're back on home soil in midweek, with a resurgent Oxford United their latest visitors. Pompey could go top with a win dependent on other results, but the U's have won two of their last three games and are now looking up after getting out of the drop zone.

Wigan Athletic v Bristol Rovers

If Ipswich v Hull is the big game at the top of the table, Wigan Athletic v Bristol Rovers is the big game at the bottom, with the two sides sitting 23rd and 21st respectively after the weekend. Rovers' newly appointed boss Paul Tisdale will be looking for his first win since taking charge, while Wigan know that victory in midweek would close the gap between the teams to just two points.  

EFLSB_LT_L_DM_REG_ST_RGB.png

Cheltenham Town v Cambridge United

Second place meets third place in Sky Bet League Two on Tuesday evening, as Cheltenham Town take on Cambridge United, following a comfortable 3-0 win over Walsall at the weekend. Both sides will be keen to ensure they keep pace with league leaders Newport County, making this a crucial clash in the hunt for promotion in 2020/21. This will be the 15th competitive meeting between the teams. 

Salford City v Morecambe

Two teams on the fringes of the Play-Off places are Salford City and Morecambe, who each remain just a point off seventh spot going into midweek. Salford enjoyed a big win at the weekend, while Morecambe had to settle for a point at Scunthorpe United, and these two North West Clubs will be targeting maximum points here. Salford and Morecambe have met just once in league action before, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.

Tranmere Rovers v Carlisle United

Both Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle United won handsomely (5-0 and 0-3 respectively) at the weekend, making their midweek meeting a truly intriguing contest. The hosts will be seeking a fourth straight league win, one which could take them into the Play-Offs, while fourth-placed Carlisle know they could move into the automatic promotion spots with a victory here. Who will come out on top?

 


Advertisement block