Burton’s Rise, Bradford’s Manager Departure and THREE Other EFL Fixtures to Watch This Weekend | OneFootball

The extended international break has left the EFL with a rather unusual weekend, with no Championship action and just three League One fixtures surviving the disruption. League Two has a fuller programme, with eight matches going ahead after three postponements, ensuring there is still plenty of football to follow despite the break.

Meanwhile, Peterborough United have now appointed Robbie Savage as their new manager after the former Wales international left Forest Green Rovers to take charge at the Weston Homes Stadium. Savage replaces Luke Williams, who was sacked on 19 September following a poor start to the League One season, with Posh currently 23rd in the division.

There is also plenty of intrigue surrounding Bradford City, who travel to Reading for their first game since Graham Alexander’s departure to Preston North End. The Bantams remain top of League One, but the focus will inevitably be on how they respond to losing the manager who guided them to such an impressive start.

Elsewhere in the EFL, Burton Albion’s recent improvement provides another storyline to follow, while League Two offers several interesting fixtures despite the reduced programme.

Reading vs Bradford City

Bradford head into their first game since Graham Alexander’s departure knowing that the attention will inevitably fall on how the team responds to a change in the dugout.

The Bantams travel to Reading sitting top of League One, one point clear of Sheffield Wednesday, and have won their last five matches in all competitions. Those victories have come against Mansfield Town, Leyton Orient, Notts County, Luton Town and Newcastle United Under-21s.

Their defensive record has been a major part of that run. Bradford have conceded just five league goals so far and have kept five clean sheets from their opening seven matches, giving interim managers Mark Trueman and Colin Doyle an extremely strong platform to work from.

Reading, however, provide a difficult first test.

Leam Richardson’s side sit ninth and are unbeaten in their last two league games. They followed a 2-0 home victory over Notts County with a 2-2 draw away at Wycombe Wanderers, having taken the lead twice at Adams Park before being pegged back.

Richardson also provides an intriguing subplot to the fixture. The Reading boss has been among the names linked with the vacant position following Alexander’s departure, meaning Saturday’s meeting sees one of the reported candidates facing the club he had been linked with taking charge of.

Many other experienced names have been linked with the job. Michael Duff has been reported as one of the leading candidates after his recent departure from Wycombe, while Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley has also been mentioned.

Gary Rowett has emerged as another contender, with the former Burton Albion, Birmingham City, Derby County, Stoke City, Millwall, Oxford United and Leicester City manager also reported to be in the frame.

The managerial search remains a developing storyline, with the club understood to be taking its time over Alexander’s successor while Trueman and Doyle continue in interim charge.

There is also a clear threat at the other end of the pitch in the form of Jack Marriott.

The Reading striker has scored eight goals in seven league appearances, making him one of the division’s most prolific forwards so far. The Royals have also won their last three league matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Both sides will have to deal with absentees. They are without Andy Rinomhota, Jeriel Dorsett and Charlie Savage due to international duty, while Bradford are missing Jon McCracken and Ibou Touray for the same reason. Tyreik Wright and Josh Neufville are also unavailable through injury.

For Bradford, Saturday is therefore about more than simply maintaining their excellent start. It is their first match since Alexander’s departure, while their opponents’ manager is one of the figures who has recently been with filling the position.

Burton Albion’s rise takes centre stage

Of the two remaining League One fixtures, Burton meeting with Huddersfield Town carries an interesting wider storyline.

Burton began the campaign with concerns over whether they could avoid another relegation battle, but their fortunes have started to change.

Their latest victory came away at Argyle, where a 1-0 win ended a four-game winless run and prevented their opponents from moving to the top of the table.

Huddersfield arrive at the Pirelli Stadium looking to maintain their own challenge towards the upper end of the division, making this another useful test of how far Burton have progressed in recent weeks.

The other remaining fixture in the third tier sees Leyton Orient host Plymouth.

Plymouth are fourth in the table and will be determined to bounce back after suffering only their second failure to score in eight league matches. Tom Cleverley’s side have lost three of their opening eight league games, with two of those defeats coming at Home Park.

Their away form has been more encouraging, with victories over Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool already secured.

Orient sit seven places below The Pilgrims but could move above their opponents with a victory.

Richie Wellens’ side have struggled for consistency, having failed to record consecutive League One victories so far. Their 1-0 victory over Stevenage last time out ended a three-game losing streak, with Alex Gilbert scoring on his first start.

Jaze Kabia remains Orient’s leading scorer, and the hosts will be hoping their attacking options can cause problems for a defence that will be looking for a response.

The fixture therefore gives Plymouth an opportunity to put their latest setback behind them, while Orient have the chance to build some momentum of their own.

Crewe Alexandra vs Bristol Rovers

Crewe Alexandra are one of just three unbeaten teams remaining in League Two, although their impressive record has been built around an unusual run of six consecutive league draws.

Those stalemates have come against Port Vale, Walsall, York City, Colchester United, Shrewsbury Town and Rotherham United.

Crewe opened the campaign with two victories and their only defeat in all competitions came against Barnsley in the League Cup, leaving them well placed despite their tendency to share the points.

Bristol Rovers provide a difficult opponent.

Steve Evans’ side sit third in League Two but have lost two of their last three league matches. Their most recent outing did at least end in victory, with Fabrizio Cavegn scoring the only goal against Exeter City.

The Gas have also won their last 11 home matches, although their away form provides a different picture heading into the trip to Cheshire.

Jack Lankester could be in contention for a return, while Tom Booth remains a consideration. Jack Sparkes is unavailable through injury, with Bobby Kamwa among the options who could come into the side.

With both clubs occupying the upper reaches of the division, this could prove one of the weekend’s more competitive League Two fixtures.

Rochdale vs Swindon Town

Rochdale have made a strong return to the EFL following promotion from the National League and head into their meeting with Swindon Town having won three of their last five matches.

Victories over Shrewsbury Town, Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town have helped Dale establish themselves near the top of League Two, while a goalless draw against Walsall was the other result during that spell.

They are currently five points behind leaders Barnet, meaning another victory could keep the pressure on the teams above them.

Swindon, meanwhile, are 12th and have gone five matches without a victory, losing four of those games.

Their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw against Accrington Stanley after conceding inside the opening minute, while they have now gone nine matches without keeping a clean sheet.

Rochdale will be without Tobi Adebayo-Rowling through suspension, with Kaiden Wilson and Sam Sherring potential options to replace him.

Swindon could welcome Joe Snowdon back onto the bench, while Ben Middlemas and Joel McGregor remain unavailable. Matty Virtue, Daniel Butterworth and Antwoine Hackford are among those pushing for involvement.

Chesterfield vs Tranmere Rovers

Two sides level on 11 points from their opening eight League Two matches meet at the SMH Group Stadium as Chesterfield host Tranmere Rovers.

Chesterfield had gone six matches unbeaten before suffering a 2-1 defeat against Cheltenham Town last time out.

Paul Cook’s side have, however, remained difficult to beat at home and are unbeaten in their last five matches on their own ground across all competitions.

Tranmere have suffered just one defeat in their opening eight league games and were denied victory against Walsall by a late equaliser.

Ben Faulkner has been among the players making an impact, while Tranmere’s defensive record has also kept them competitive, with just eight goals conceded so far.

The two sides sit level in the table and there is little to separate them statistically, making this another fixture where the reduced weekend programme could add importance.

With the Championship taking a break and only three League One matches surviving after the wider postponements, the spotlight naturally falls on the games that are still being played.

From Bradford’s first match without Alexander and the unusual subplot surrounding Richardson, to Burton’s continued improvement and a collection of tightly matched League Two encounters, there remains plenty to keep an eye on across the EFL this weekend.