MY ACCOUNT
We should be able to see some trends emerging after the third weekend of EFL action, but several clubs already stand out as being much better – or worse – than they were when the 2021-22 campaign drew to a close.
Jon Dahl Tomasson appears to have transformed Blackburn into a clean-sheet machine in the Championship – where Norwich have made a slow start and Huddersfield look like they are missing former boss Carlos Corberan.
So there are some clear angles to take into account as we make our predictions for Saturday afternoon’s games – of which there are 31 across the Championship, League One and League Two.
Huddersfield vs Stoke (Saturday, 3pm)
It feels like a bit of a pile-on to oppose Huddersfield at home to Stoke, but Danny Schofield’s side have been so bad that it would be a major surprise if they were able to avoid defeat this weekend.
The stats
Burnley completed over 500 passes and held 70% of possession in the opening Championship game of the season against Huddersfield, who failed to hit the target once.
The feeling that the Terriers have become too easy to play against was underlined when Preston completed over 700 passes in their midweek 4-1 Carabao Cup rout at John Smith’s Stadium.
Although they were beaten 2-0 at The Den on opening weekend, Stoke had won two of their three previous Championship away games while Millwall have the best home form in the division in 2022.
Michael O’Neill’s men have failed to score in only two of their last 13 away Championship matches, hitting multiple goals on five occasions.
Prediction
Huddersfield needed to bounce back following their away defeat to Birmingham – one of the pre-season relegation favourites – but Schofield’s side then turned in an abysmal display against Preston.
Schofield already looks out of his depth and Stoke have enough creativity and firepower to leave him with that sinking feeling again.
Millwall vs Coventry (Saturday, 3pm)
Two of last season’s Championship draw specialists face off in south London with another stalemate looking likely when Millwall entertain Coventry.
The stats
Millwall have lost only one of their last 12 home league matches while Coventry have lost only four of their last 17 Championship away games.
Fifteen of the Lions’ 46 Championship matches finished all square last season with only Preston (16) producing more draws.
Coventry drew eight of their 23 away league games – the joint-third highest amount – one of which earned them a point at the Den.
The Sky Blues have responded well to the intimidating atmosphere at Millwall’s ground, remaining undefeated in their last four visits there with two wins and two draws.
Prediction
A trip to Millwall will not scare Coventry as Mark Robins’ side have an in-form striker in Viktor Gyokeres that should probably frighten the Lions more.
The Sweden international scored nine goals in his first 11 Championship appearances last term and, already up and running this season, can fire the Sky Blues to at least a point at The Den.
Ipswich vs MK Dons (Saturday, 3pm)
Ipswich and MK Dons can provide some early-season promotion pointers at Portman Road with defences likely to be on top if previous matches between these are anything to go by.
The stats
Four of the last five meetings between Ipswich and MK Dons have featured fewer than three goals in total.
All three of the Dons’ matches this season have fallen under the 2.5 match goals mark.
The last four matches between these two clubs have resulted in draws with Ipswich leaving Stadium MK with a point from a goalless encounter last February.
Prediction
MK Dons lost some key players over the summer and Liam Manning’s side have yet to find the same groove as last term, when they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion.
A low-scoring affair seems likely with a draw also high on the list of possible outcomes when the final whistle blows.
Northampton vs Hartlepool (Saturday, 3pm)
Another club that just missed out on automatic promotion last season, Northampton, host struggling Hartlepool in League Two.
The stats
Northampton have won six of their last 11 League Two home games, including a 2-0 win over Pools in March.
Hartlepool have failed to win their last five away league games and have gone down 4-0 both times on the road this term.
Prediction
Northampton, who narrowly missed out on automatic promotion last spring, have begun the season brightly and should see off a dire Hartlepool with ease.
Paul Hartley’s side have yet to score this season and should fall by the wayside at PTS Academy Stadium.
