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The big EFL weekend preview!

Don't miss a minute of the action, with some huge games on the way...

22 October 2020

There are some massive games on the way this weekend across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two!

Let's go through the divisions and have a look at a few of the standout fixtures...

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Nottingham Forest v Derby County

The Friday night football couldn't be much bigger. A rivalry will be renewed under the floodlights at the City Ground and in front of the Sky Sports cameras, as Nottingham Forest take on Derby County with just a point separating the sides ahead of kick-off. Each of the last three league meetings between these two have been settled by a single goal, but this is a fixture that's never short of entertainment. Can Chris Hughton get the better of Phillip Cocu, as these familiar foes look to kick-start their respective seasons?

Watford v AFC Bournemouth

Saturday brings the battle of the new boys, as third-placed Watford do battle with fourth-placed AFC Bournemouth at Vicarage Road, having beaten Blackburn Rovers on home soil in midweek. These two will be hoping for an immediate return to the Premier League this season and will view this match as a chance to really lay down an early marker, after what has been a positive start to the campaign for both sides. The last eight meetings between the teams have produced a total of 27 goals, making this an exciting match in prospect.

Bristol City v Swansea City

Also on the way this weekend is a clash between two sides with big ambitions in Bristol City and Swansea City, who currently sit second and sixth in the standings respectively. Ahead of their trip across the border, the Swans are without a win in two, while their opponents suffered a first defeat of the season last time out against Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough. The hosts will be hoping to get back to winning ways and reclaim top spot in the process, while victory for Swansea could lift them into the top two if other results go their way.

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Hull City v Peterborough United

Among a host of huge games in League One is this clash between table-topping Hull City and fourth-placed Peterborough United, who are looking for a fifth straight league victory. With six wins from their seven matches so far, Hull are the division's team to beat in 2020/21 and will face a tough test against Darren Ferguson's men, who won at Wigan Athletic last time out. This is the first league meeting between the two sides for more than seven years.

Lincoln City v Ipswich Town

In another battle between two high-flying teams, it's third versus second as Lincoln City welcome Ipswich Town to the LNER Stadium. Only goal difference separates the sides ahead of kick-off, with victory for either side potentially enough to see them take top spot, depending on results elsewhere. The last league meeting between these two in Lincoln came in December 2019, and ended in a 5-3 win for the hosts - so keep your eyes on this one. 

Oxford United v Swindon Town

It's derby day on Saturday as Oxford United welcome Swindon Town to the Kassam Stadium. "We understand what the Swindon game means to the fans and it’s really sad not to have them there and for the players to miss out on the experience of playing in that fixture," U's boss Karl Robinson said ahead of the game. With bragging rights and three points up for grabs, this is undoubtedly one of the games of the weekend.

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Exeter City v Scunthorpe United

Saturday's early-kick off in Sky Bet League Two will see Exeter City have a chance to move into the automatic promotion spots ahead of the 3pm kick-offs, as they face 23rd-placed Scunthorpe United on home turf. The Grecians currently sit ninth and three points below third-placed Cheltenham Town, having won their last match against Crawley Town. Scunthorpe, meanwhile, have lost each of their last four, and will be hoping for a more positive result here.

Cambridge United v Bolton Wanderers

This weekend also sees league leaders Cambridge United return to action, against a Bolton Wanderers side who have struggled to get going at the start of the 2020/21 campaign. A dramatic, late draw at Barrow last time out saw Ian Evatt's men display a fighting spirit which they'll look to carry into the weekend, while Cambridge form - and that of their striker Paul Mullin - cannot be denied, following his hat-trick last time out.

Colchester United v Harrogate Town

Last but certainly not least, last season's Play-Off Semi-Finalists Colchester United face new boys Harrogate Town, who are going well and looking for a fourth straight victory, one which could send them top of the table. Colchester come into this one on the back of a confidence-boosting win over Forest Green Rovers, but this game will take them into unfamiliar territory, as it's the first competitive meeting between the sides. Who will come out on top?

 


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