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Frank Lampard could hand Leeds United ironic promotion boost as rivals can come undone
The final international break of 2024 has run its course, which means a full set of EFL fixtures are back this weekend.
Ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, we take a look at some of the big talking points and what to look out for across the three divisions.
Tough trips for the top three
It is a weekend of away trips for the Championship’s current pacesetters, as Sunderland, Sheffield United and Leeds look to separate themselves from the rest.
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League leaders Sunderland head to the capital on Saturday to take on one of the division’s in-form sides. Millwall lead the way as the best of the rest over the last ten league games, losing just once and taking 19 points to sit just outside the play-off places in eighth ahead of this weekend.
Regis Le Bris’ side aren’t exactly in bad form either having been unbeaten in their last eight but a fixture like this can be seen as a real test as we head deeper into the campaign.
Closest challengers Sheffield United will be looking to capitalise on any potential slip-up and maintain their winning run following their Steel City derby win before the international break.
A win against managerless Coventry City in Saturday’s lunchtime game would take the Blades to five in a row and potentially the top of the table if they can do their bit at the CBS Arena.
This will be the first home fixture for the Sky Blues following the sacking of former boss Mark Robins, with former stars Callum O’Hare and Gustavo Hamer also set to make their first returns following their respective transfers to Chris Wilder’s side. For those Coventry players in action, the potential appointment of Frank Lampard should be enough to make them go all out to impress.
Given his history with Leeds, it's ironic that Lampard could have a positive effect on their fortunes. Should the Blades slip up, waiting in the shadows will be Daniel Farke's men, who don’t face Swansea until Sunday afternoon and, if results go their way, could end up top themselves.
Leeds had been picking up steam before the international break with just one defeat in their last ten and will want to pick up where they left off in South Wales.
Then there are a host of clubs, including Burnley, West Brom and Watford, who kickstart the weekend at Plymouth on Friday, hoping to make their own way towards the automatic spots should all three slip up.
Ainsworth aiming for 'fairytale' Shrewsbury start
It’s a tale of two opposite fortunes in League One this weekend, as title chasers Birmingham travel to bottom side Shrewsbury Town on Saturday. The hosts will have a new face in the dugout ahead of the fixture after it was confirmed that former Wycombe Wanderers and QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth had joined the club last week.
On paper, it couldn’t be a more difficult start for the 51-year-old, facing a Blues side who have their sights firmly set on promotion having lost just once so far this season.
It’s been a different story for Shrewsbury across this campaign, sitting bottom of the third tier after winning just two league games. However, despite the clear difference in fortunes so far this season, Ainsworth is refusing to rule anything out when it comes to this weekend.
“It’s 11 against 11,” he explained ahead of his first game in charge. “It’s Birmingham, yes they have spent a lot of money, yes they’re a big club with a Premier League history and all that, but we’ve all been in teams where you’ve beat somebody.
“It’s not impossible, no way. I’m very much a fairytale guy, and underdog guy, and there’s no reason we can’t win the game on Saturday. We’ll be going for it.”
League Two’s top two face off
A cut above the rest so far in League Two, league leaders Port Vale will round off the weekend’s action with a top-of-the-table clash with local rivals Crewe Alexandra.
Darren Moore’s side have been in impressive form in the fourth tier, sitting six points clear of the play-off spots and five in front of their next opponents.
Not many have challenged them so far but their rivals have been slowly building momentum, unbeaten in their last six and have lost just one of their last 10 to put Vale within their sights.
Crewe will go into this with a game in hand and, should they secure victory at Vale Park on Monday, could go within two points of top spot and start to pile some pressure on the hosts.
Not a ‘derby’ in the traditional sense but with a bumper crowd and plenty at stake, it should be an exciting end to another EFL gameweek.
