Exciting Matchups in the English Football League This Weekend
October has arrived, bringing with it a month filled with tricks, treats, and the thrill of Halloween.
This weekend’s English Football League (EFL) schedule promises excitement, featuring a competitive Championship and several key fixtures, beginning with the 'Hollywood derby' between Wrexham and Birmingham on Friday night.
In League One, many pre-season promotion favorites are struggling, while some unexpected teams are performing exceptionally well. The chaos from last season's League Two promotion race seems to be repeating itself this year.
Here are five highlights to watch for during this thrilling EFL weekend.
Game of the Season: East Anglian Derby
Sunday at noon marks a significant clash in the EFL as Norwich City travels to Ipswich Town for the East Anglian derby. The last time Ipswich triumphed over Norwich was in April 2009, a time when Gordon Brown was Prime Minister and Oasis was on the brink of a long hiatus. Could this weekend's reunion bring good fortune to Ipswich?
Norwich has claimed 26 points from their last twelve Championship encounters, including a memorable 4-2 aggregate victory in the 2015 play-off semi-finals. However, both teams are currently struggling: Ipswich sits 13th with two wins from seven matches, while Norwich is in 19th place with just eight points from eight games.
Norwich manager Liam Manning, who has ties to both clubs, may find solace in the fact that the match is at Portman Road, as Norwich has lost all five home games this season. They are unbeaten in seven away matches, winning three, although their last four encounters in Suffolk have ended in draws.
Adding intrigue is midfielder Marcelino Nunez, the first Norwich player to transfer to Ipswich in 24 years, who joined for £10 million in August. He has appeared off the bench after an ankle injury and made his first start in a 1-1 draw against Bristol City on Tuesday. Notably, he scored the winner the last time these teams faced each other.
Get your popcorn ready!
McBurnie in Form Ahead of Sheffield United Reunion
Oli McBurnie is currently in outstanding form. The 29-year-old Scotland international, who joined Hull City after leaving La Liga's Las Palmas, has scored seven goals in his first nine appearances across all competitions. His six goals and four assists in eight Championship games lead the division in goal contributions.
After netting two goals against Preston to secure a 2-2 draw at MKM Stadium on Tuesday, McBurnie is set to face Sheffield United, the club he played for for five seasons before his move to Spain. He scored only 13 goals in 66 Championship appearances for the Blades but would love to increase that tally against his former manager Chris Wilder, whose team is struggling at the bottom of the table.
Local Derby: Luton Town vs. Stevenage
Just 12 miles apart, Luton Town and Stevenage have not met in the league for over seven years, and this Saturday's match carries significant implications. Since their last encounter in February 2018, Luton has been promoted and relegated multiple times, while Stevenage has advanced to League One, setting the stage for an evenly matched local derby.
Both teams have garnered 11 points from their previous eight EFL fixtures, but Luton has only managed two points from their last three visits to the Lamex Stadium. Their last meeting, a League Cup tie in August 2021, ended in a 2-2 draw, with Stevenage winning 3-0 on penalties. The home fans will hope for a similar celebration this weekend.
Stevenage currently sits in the automatic promotion places with 22 points from nine games, while Luton finds themselves under scrutiny after collecting just 10 points from their last eight matches, including a recent 2-2 draw against Blackpool.
Ryan Lowe Returns to Plymouth with Wigan
This week, we witnessed Jose Mourinho's triumphant return to Stamford Bridge, but not all managers receive such a warm welcome. Former Plymouth Argyle manager Ryan Lowe will return to Home Park on Saturday with his new club, Wigan Athletic.
After leading Plymouth to promotion from League Two in 2019 and a strong performance in League One, Lowe left in December 2021 to join Preston. Since then, Argyle has seen five different permanent managers.
Lowe had a successful return to Devon with Preston in March 2024, securing a 1-0 victory over his former club. However, after a challenging stint at Deepdale, he took over at Wigan in March. Both teams currently have 12 points from their first ten games, with Wigan slightly ahead on goal difference.
League Two: A Thrilling Promotion Race
The League Two promotion race for the 2024-25 season resembles a competitive horse race. The early stages have shown signs of another thrilling contest, with the top 16 teams separated by just eight points and 14 of them boasting a positive goal difference. As we approach the quarter mark of the season, the excitement is building.