As the weekend beckons, here are five things you might want to look out for across the EFL...
Live television clashes
The Yorkshire derby between Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town will be televised live on Sky Sports tomorrow with the Millers going in search of their first win under new boss Matt Taylor. The Terriers, meanwhile, did just that last weekend when Mark Fotheringham’s side beat Hull City 2-0.
And on Saturday evening, Watford take on Norwich City in the Sky Bet Championship. The Canaries sit in second place in the standings, tied on points with Sheffield United, whilst the Hornets are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats.
In Sky Bet League One, Charlton Athletic host Portsmouth in Monday night’s football fix in front of the cameras as high-flying Pompey look to get their promotion hopes back on track in South London.
Blues boss sets his sights
Birmingham City boss John Eustace outlined his hopes for the Blues this season, joining this week’s edition of the Official EFL Podcast. The 42-year-old remained grounded, insisting that this term is all about consolidation for his team.
🎙️ @BCFC boss John Eustace joins us on this week's #OfficialEFLPodcast!
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) October 13, 2022
▶️ Listen now! 👇#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship
“I think that experience of being a manager already at Kidderminster Harriers, it made me realise how difficult the job is,” he said. “As soon as I stepped in the hotseat here, I knew my responsibility to my roles and it came from a good experience at Kidderminster.
“Coming in, we were favourites for relegation. Nobody is under any illusion that it’s going to be a very difficult season. For me, the most important thing is that we stay in the league and we build. I think everyone connected to the football will agree on that. We’re starting from the bottom again. It’s to be as competitive as we can and build a fantastic team.”
Evans’ reunion
In Sky Bet League Two, Steve Evans’ table topping Stevenage pay a visit to the Scotsman’s ex-employers Gillingham.
Boro have flown out of the blocks this season under Evans and will be looking to continue their rampant run – which has seen them enjoy a record-breaking start t the campaign – by taking points from the Gills, who the current Stevenage boss managed between 2019 and 2022, departing the Club earlier in January.
Top half clashes
The battle to make it into the top six in League One is tight as Bolton Wanderers welcome Barnsley to Greater Manchester this weekend when sixth takes on seventh.
Sixteen-year-old star and last season’s Academy Player of the Year Fabio Jalo struck a brace in midweek as Barnsley came out on top against Doncaster Rovers in the Papa Johns Trophy, but will he feature this weekend?
Prior to a 2-0 loss to Exeter City last time out, Barnsley were unbeaten in their last six, whilst Bolton are also looking to reverse their fortunes, suffering back-to-back defeats, having won their last four before that.
The updated #SkyBetLeagueOne standings!#EFL pic.twitter.com/0PZmuYeV0N
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) October 11, 2022
New recruits
Ahead of Saturday’s early kick-off in League Two against Harrogate Town, Hartlepool United have added forward Theo Robinson to their ranks.
The 33-year-old, who has spent the last four years at this level, hitting double figures for Colchester United during a loan spell in the 2019/20 season joins the Pools from fourth-tier rivals Bradford City.
Hartlepool travel to North Yorkshire in the lunchtime fixture, with the game available to stream in the UK.