Five things in EFL: Fallen giants and ambitious upstarts | OneFootball

Ambition frames week two in the EFL, from fallen giants to rising upstarts. Here are five things to watch this weekend.

Per BBC UK, West Ham expect a quick return after relegation. They broke the EFL transfer record with £22m for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels and loaned Leeds striker Joel Piroe. A 62,500 sell-out greets Charlton at 15:00 BST, and patience may be thin without a win.

Lincoln’s 66-year wait for a home Championship match ends as Portsmouth visit at 12:30 BST.

Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn host Middlesbrough at 15:00 BST. The 62-year-old returned in June for a second stint after leading Rovers out of League One in 2017-18, opening with a 2-2 draw at Wolves. He said relegation predictions fuel his players.

Bromley’s rise under Andy Woodman, from National League South promotion to 14th in 2015-16, continues as they face Cambridge United at 15:00 BST.

Leicester’s fall from the Premier League, alongside financial issues and points deductions, has reset expectations. Now led by Russell Martin, they host Burton Albion at 15:00 BST, and Gary Bowyer’s visitors rarely defer to reputation.

Rotherham appointed Steve McClaren as head of football, later naming Alex Bruce as head coach. A 2-1 defeat by Cheltenham extended their slump before buoyant York, who are now led by Scott Lindsey and beat Bristol Rovers. Six years after National League North, York share a division with the Millers and could overtake them unless the hosts stop the slide.

Source: BBC UK

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”