We’ve picked out five things for you to look out for this weekend, and here they are:

1. The renewal of rivalries

While the Devon derby takes place next Saturday, on Matchday 8, there are a couple of rivalries set to be renewed this weekend.

Sky Bet Championship leaders Huddersfield Town travel to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United looking for just their second win from six against Garry Monk’s side.

In Sky Bet League One, Swindon Town and Oxford United lie just 30 miles apart and meet for the first time in the EFL since 2012. The U’s ran out 2-0 winners in their last league meeting and, since then, have also got the better of their rivals in the EFL Trophy on two occasions.

There won’t be an empty seat in the house on Saturday…

2. Unbeaten streaks

There are six unbeaten streaks at stake across the EFL’s three leagues on Saturday.

The Sky Bet Championship top two, Huddersfield and Fulham, both remain undefeated after five outings. While the Terriers take on Leeds, Fulham are up against Birmingham City.

Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City currently occupy the top two spots in Sky Bet League One and are also unbeaten. The Bantams face Gillingham, who have the leakiest defence in the division, and Bolton welcome MK Dons to the Macron.

Northampton are the other unbeaten side in Sky Bet League One, after making it 30 EFL games without loss last weekend with their win over MK Dons. This Saturday, they host Walsall.

Carlisle are the only unbeaten side in Sky Bet League Two, and sit ninth in the table after two wins and four draws. Their undefeated record goes on the line against Leyton Orient.

3. Nicklas ‘Lord’ Bendtner

 

One of the most infamous names in English football could make his first appearance in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend.

Nottingham Forest secured the signing of Denmark international, and former Arsenal front man, Nicklas Bendtner during the week and he is in line for his debut against Aston Villa on Sunday.

He’s one of only four players to have scored a Champions League hat-trick for the Gunners, and will face his former employers later this month when the two face off in the EFL Cup.

Draw: Click here to see the EFL Cup Round Three draw

But first, it’s Aston Villa away. Will he get off the mark at Villa Park?

4. Derby in drought

Five games, one goal – Derby County are the lowest scorers in the EFL.


 


An 87th-minute header from Craig Forsyth gave them an away win over Preston North End last time out, but that’s all they have to show for their efforts in front of goal so far.

The departure of Chris Martin to Fulham means Nigel Pearson’s men will be looking to new signing Matej Vydra to get them firing.


 


Coventry are the other EFL side that have struggled for goals so far this campaign. The Sky Blues have only found the back of the net twice.

5. Rickie Returns

His first start for Southampton produced a goal, as did his West Brom debut.

He also found the net on his international bow for England. Coming off the bench to replace Wayne Rooney at Wembley in a game against Scotland, he buried a header just two minutes later.

So, what will Rickie Lambert do on his Cardiff City debut this weekend?

The 17th-placed Bluebirds are up against Norwich City, and Lambert will be worth keeping an eye on given his past debut delights.


 

Read more: Click here for 10 facts about new Cardiff City striker Rickie Lambert 



Follow, follow, follow…

Follow the EFL’s social media channels to keep up-to-date with the weekend’s action:

– Twitter.com/EFL

– Facebook.com/TheEFL

– Instagram.com/EFL



Source link