It's almost time for the weekend to begin! Here are five things to look out for in the EFL...
Lewington to make milestone mark
Milton Keynes Dons veteran Dean Lewington is preparing to make his 900th career appearance when Liam Manning’s side take on Cheltenham Town away from home in Sky Bet League One.
The defender, who has been with the Club since 2004 and goes down as the Dons’ current long-serving player, is one of a select handful of players to make over 700 appearances for a single Club in EFL history, achieving that goal last season.
The 38-year-old signed a new deal in the summer to take him into his 19th season with MK Dons, extending his stay in Buckinghamshire for a further year, and this weekend could be a milestone fixture for the skipper.
Local rivalries
There are two local derbies coming up in League One this weekend as Peterborough United host Cambridge United on Saturday.
The hosts are looking to build on a positive start to the season which sees them occupying fourth place in the standings following back-to-back wins, whilst the U’s come into the fixture on the back of a hard-fought victory over Wycombe Wanderers in midweek.
And on Monday evening, Plymouth Argyle will take on Exeter City as the two Devon teams lock horns for three points. Argyle, the league leaders, turned it around against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening. As for the Grecians, Gary Caldwell is going in search of his first win as Exeter boss, settling for a stalemate against Derby County earlier in the week.
🔜 Two local derbies in #SkyBetLeagueOne!
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) October 28, 2022
Who will get the bragging rights? đź‘€#EFL
Friday night football
The weekend gets underway this evening when Queens Park Rangers pay a visit to Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship, as Michael Beale’s men look to seize on an opportunity to re-take the top spot.
The Hoops were overtaken by Burnley as the Clarets edged Norwich City in midweek but for QPR, it’s now just one defeat in their last eight. Meanwhile, the Blues sit in 15th, slipping to defeat against Blackburn Rovers last time out.
Ammies impress on the road
Salford City maintained their good fortune on the road as the Ammies ran out 2-0 winners over Hartlepool United in midweek, making it four wins on the bounce away from home this season for the first time ever in the Club's EFL history, with just one defeat in their last seven in Sky Bet League Two.
Goalscorers Ryan Leak and Ethan Galbraith made the divisional Team of the Week, alongside Elliot Watt, with Salford the most represented side in the line-up.
🔝🗑️ Some way to seal it! #EFL | @SalfordCityFC pic.twitter.com/Vjw0mggAqr
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) October 26, 2022
And a trip to Brisbane Road to take on high-flying Leyton Orient awaits this weekend, but will Salford keep up their streak?
Swansea boss taking it game-by-game
Swansea City boss Russell Martin is expecting his side to travel in good numbers when the Swans travel to Bristol City, on the back of a third consecutive South Wales derby win over Cardiff City last weekend.
The 36-year-old joined the Official EFL Podcast this week to talk about the Swans’ impressive run of form and why his team won’t read too much into their last victory.
“For us, once it’s done, the players handled the occasion brilliantly, but we have to treat it how it was,” he said. “We’re now looking forward Bristol City which is another important one for our supporters because it’s just up the M4. It’s the closest game apart from Cardiff and we’ll take a brilliant following so it’s going to be another really important game.”
