There is another packed weekend of football ahead for the 72 Football League teams, and a busy week for those who were lucky enough to be involved in the second round of the League Cup midweek.
The Football League teams did well, with 13 teams progressing through to the next round of the League Cup.
Preston were the only side to upset an English Premier League team, defeating Watford 1-0, but other EPL teams got pushed a long way by their less wealthy cousins.
League Cup results
QPR 1-2 Carlisle
Walsall 1-2 Brighton
Aston Villa 5-3 Notts County
Burton 1-2 Middlesbrough
Sunderland 6-3 Exeter
West Brom 5-3 Port Vale
Luton Town 1-1 Stoke City (8-9 penalties)
Barnsley 3-5 Everton
Third Round rewards for Football League clubs:
Liverpool versus Carlisle
Manchester United versus Ipswich Town
Walsall versus Chelsea
Aston Villa versus Birmingham
Enough of the League Cup, it’s time to get into the Football League weekend ahead. To catch up with last weekend, go here.
Championship
Ipswich Town head the Football League for the second consecutive round, while Brighton in second on 10 points are one of the seven teams yet to lose a game in the first four rounds. Two of those teams have yet to win however, and coincidentally they meet for the early Saturday game.
Down at the bottom of the league there’s a real EPL flavour about the team with three of the bottom six having been recent EPL mainstays (Fulham, Blackburn and Bolton). To add to that early season drama, two of those sides clash in a local derby, which could leave one or both former high flyers winless after five games.
In the middle there are teams with many draws to their name so far, in fact 23 of the 47 games thus far have ended in a stalemate.
Championship upcoming highlights
Blackburn versus Bolton
A real local derby with a lot to play for. Both of these sides sit in the bottom three, with just two draws and two losses to show for their efforts. Bolton scored their first goal of the season last weekend and Blackburn only have two more. It looks like a low scoring, tight local derby that neither team dares to lose, especially for Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer who is rumoured to be the first boss out the door this year. The last five clashes have gone to the home side.
Derby versus Leeds
This game looks a special for a draw. Both sides are four draws from four games thus far. Going back to last season it’s five in a row for Leeds and six out of seven from Derby. Plus every pre-3pm Saturday kick-off in the Championship this season has ended in a draw. So, what price a draw in this one? Well $3.75 says the bookies. A game of real value for draw enthusiasts. For the others we’re awaiting what these two fancied sides can do.
Ipswich versus Brighton
An early season top of the table clash between two sides on three wins and a draw thus far. Goals don’t seem a problem for Ipswich this year with two in every league match. Defence is the key for Brighton who have conceded just two in total. These games went with the home sides last year, and the prize for the win will be the top perch to themselves.
League One
Like the Championship there are two teams at the top of the table on 10 points, and even more so than the division above, the two teams aren’t the expected or fashionable teams to be doing as such. Gillingham and Walsall sit at the top and the Gills already have a positive-seven goal difference. Walsall underlined their league form with a win over Championship side Brighton in the League Cup on Tuesday. Whether these surprise packets can continue the good run is to be seen.
Circling is one of the pre-season favourites, Sheffield United, who have turned around their 4-0 opening day loss with three straight wins. Other big clubs Coventry and Swindon are in the top six alongside newcomers Burton.
There are two unbeaten sides not in the top six, Port Vale and Oldham, and there are eight teams yet to win a game. Bottom of the pile is Blackpool who only have the one point from their first game of the season. Back-to-back relegations look a real possibility if some of the off-field troubles aren’t sorted.
League One upcoming highlights
Swindon Town versus Sheffield United
Two of the top fancies for promotion and both are currently in the top six Expectations riding on the Blades more than anyone else in the league, and only a four win one loss start will ease some pressure on them to make this year the year. Swindon though, have yet to lose a game.
Shrewsbury versus Burton
Burton aren’t too far away from Shrewsbury geographically, and they certainly weren’t in League Two last year as they were promoted in first and second spots. There is a bit of difference this year as Burton have taken to their new home in League One well with three wins from four games and sit fifth. Shrewsbury have two points and sit 19th.
Bury versus Oldham
Two teams that surround the football giant that is Manchester, both would not get much exposure in the shadows of the two EPL clubs. So it can make our highlights of the week, with some points of interest. Both teams have drawn three games, with Oldham having a win and Bury a loss in addition. Also interesting is that Bury having the most goals scored in their games this season (19), Oldham the fewest (5).
League Two
Leyton Orient are flying the flag for the Football League as only the O’s and Manchester City remain on a 100 per cent record so far this season. Going well too are Wycombe Wanderers who are still unbeaten on 10 points and scored a very late equaliser to maintain their unbeaten start against bottom Dagenham and Redbridge last weekend. It also provided the moment of League with an enthusiastic celebration by the ball boy caught on film.
The Daggers remain at the bottom of the table despite getting their first point, and are one of four teams yet to register a win in League Two. One of the surprises at the bottom is Luton Town who were fancied to go up but have just two points to their name so far.
With just 12 draws from the 48 games so far, it is the division with the best chance of seeing a win in the Football League.
League Two upcoming highlights
Leyton Orient versus Bristol Rovers
These two teams were separated by League Two last season, and after four games are separated by just three points and three spots on the ladder. Bristol Rovers are unbeaten away, Leyton Orient are unbeaten everywhere.
Hartlepool versus Carlisle
Given the amount of travelling these teams have to do as the two most northern teams of the Football League, they will probably relish a trip of just under 100 miles. Carlisle will arrive on a high after defeating QPR in the League Cup and have a game at Anfield waiting for them in Round 3. Hartlepool had no such luck as they were well beaten by Bournemouth 4-0.
Championship Fixtures (Saturday, 3pm UK time unless stated)
Blackburn vs Bolton (Friday, 7:45pm)
Derby vs Leeds (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Brentford vs Reading
Bristol City vs Burnley
Huddersfield vs QPR
Hull vs Preston
Ipswich vs Brighton
Milton Keynes vs Birmingham
Nottingham Forest vs Cardiff
Rotherham vs Fulham
Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough
Wolves vs Charlton
League One fixtures
Blackpool vs Walsall
Bradford vs Port Vale
Bury vs Oldham
Colchester vs Scunthorpe
Doncaster vs Fleetwood
Millwall vs Chesterfield
Peterboro vs Gillingham
Rochdale vs Barnsley
Shrewsbry vs Burton
Swindon vs Sheffield United
Wigan vs Crewe
Coventry vs Southend (Mon 7:45pm UK)
League Two
Accrington vs Northampton
Wimbledon vs Exeter
Barnet vs Cambridge U
Crawley vs Wycombe
Dag and Red vs Stevenage
Hartlepool vs Carlisle
Ley Orient vs Bristol Rovers
Luton vs Portsmouth
Morecambe vs Notts Co.
Oxford vs Yeovil
Plymouth vs Newport
York vs Mansfield
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