EFL WATCH: THIS WEEKENDS TOP 4 GAMES

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It has been another busy week across the EFL, and with another matchday on it’s way, we have four games that could steal the show this weekend…

The Championship – Wycombe Wanderers vs Sheffield Wednesday (31st October – KO 3:00pm)

Wycombe’s luck has not been in recently. After a dodgy free kick decision cost them a point at Norwich, they had a goal disallowed in the 92nd minute to stop them getting all three points against Watford. The Chairboys have started to adjust to life in the championship with performances certainly improving. Adebayo Akinfenwa proved to be a huge thorn in Watford’s side for the whole evening and will hope to build upon that. Conceding 16 in eight games is not ideal and will have to be worked on if Wycombe are going to stay in this league.

Sheffield Wednesday had a solid start to this season, as they tried to make up for their 12-point deduction which had them bottom of the league before a ball was kicked. Garry Monk’s side have managed to get that down to minus four but have lost their last three games. After the 3-0 midweek defeat to Rotherham, Monk was trending on twitter, with fans desperate for him to get the sack which makes this game very important to the Englishman’s job security.

This game is a very early ‘six pointer’, as the two bottom sides battle it out. Gareth Ainsworth will be hoping his Wycombe side play similarly to how they did against Watford, whereas a loss for Wednesday could see Monk out the door.

League One – Burton Albion vs Blackpool (31st October – KO 3:00pm)

It has not been an ideal start for Jake Buxton in his first ever managerial role, currently sitting bottom of the league, having played nine games. Burton have scored goals this season, with eleven to their name but a leaky backline has meant that the Brewers have not been able to take advantage of this. Having drawn their last two games, a win for Burton would round off a solid week for Buxton and maybe give a sign that things are on the up for the Albion.

Blackpool did a lot of impressive business over the summer, but it has not been a great start for Neil Critchley’s men. The main problem being their inability to find the net, and when they do score, they only score one. Only once in nine games have Blackpool scored more than one in a league game, and with a not so great defence, this has led to Blackpool being only one point above the relegation zone.

Another early relegation clash, both sides will be wanting to distance themselves from the relegation zone as soon as they can and with two leaky defences, this one could be goals galore.

League Two – Exeter City vs Carlisle United (31st October – KO 1:00pm)

Exeter City have been quietly putting together a strong start to this season. The perennial play-off contenders will be looking to go that one step further and have started accordingly.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, Exeter have had to look to their young players, and they have delivered so far, with the likes of Josh Key and Joel Randall making themselves certified starting players. The Grecians are unbeaten in seven and will be looking to make that step to the automatic promotion slots.

Carlisle have continued their impressive start, piling on the misery to Morecambe by beating them 3-1 during the week. Chris Beech is continuing to reap the benefits of Carlisle’s attacking style and they look set to make a real charge for the automatic promotion spots. Like Exeter, Carlisle have conceded a fair few but haven’t had to pay for that as they are ruthless in front of goal.

Whoever wins this game could make a real statement of their intentions to mount an automatic promotion charge. Both sides have been scoring goals and conceding goals at a similar rate so this game has all the potential to be a cracker.

WILDCARD – Cheltenham Town vs Forest Green Rovers (31st October – KO 3:00pm)

Another regular play-off contender, Cheltenham have seen a slight dip in form over the last week. After being held to a draw by a poor Mansfield side, Cheltenham were beaten 2-1 by Port Vale. Looking to get back to winning ways, Michael Duff will be hoping to have Andy Williams and Reuben Reid on top form as they take on their local rivals. Still in the play-off spots, Cheltenham have made a strong start to the season, but will be hoping to stop the dip in form and go one step further then they did last season.

Forest Green have also made a solid start to the season, currently sat in third place. They have recovered from their defeat away at Colchester, by beating Morecambe and Grimsby in the last seven days. With Jake Young and Jamille Matt firing on all cylinders so far this season, Mark Cooper will be hoping his strikers can cause Cheltenham’s back three all kinds of trouble. Forest Green have settled into a 3-5-2 shape this season and it seems to be paying dividends as they have been much stronger at the back this season.

This version of the ‘El Glosico’ could be one of the most exciting yet. Both sides play with a similar shape and it will certainly be interesting to see how this one goes.