EFL Preview for October: Championship derbies, Birmingham City's Trotters clash, Notts County test | OneFootball

We have your EFL preview for October, covering some big clashes that will take place in the second, third and fourth tiers of English football.

October is the month we can start to judge who’s likely to be competing for promotion and who’s likely to be battling relegation in the EFL.

Some sides that have endured rocky starts have managed to recover since then and some of those who looked to be on the rise, including Watford, have endured a few setbacks in recent weeks but responded well last weekend.

This month, teams’ paths for the 2024/25 campaign could become much clearer and October promises to be full of goals, incidents and potentially some managerial sackings too.

Linking up with Betway, we have your preview for what could be a very exciting month, with the Championship and Leagues One and Two all on the agenda.

Championship

Sunderland v Leeds United

Sunderland have established themselves as promotion competitors during the early stages of the campaign under new manager Regis Le Bris, despite Saturday's setback.

17-year-old Chris Rigg has been one of their key players this term, along with fellow youngster Eliezer Mayenda, with the pair helping their team to win their opening four league matches, conceding just once during that winning run. Both are ones to watch for this clash.

Opponents Leeds United have endured a fairly mixed start to the campaign, dropping points in a disappointing fashion but doing enough to keep themselves in the promotion mix at this stage.

They saw several key players leave the club during the summer window, but several top-quality players also arrived.

Largie Ramazani has been labelled a Crysencio Summerville replacement by some people - and it will be fascinating to see whether he can step up and be a sufficient replacement for the Dutchman.

His goal against Cardiff City would have given him plenty of confidence - and he needs to build on that in the coming weeks.

In terms of this game, the Whites will be confident of picking up a point or three, having secured a draw against top-of-the-table outfit West Bromwich Albion back in August.

Bristol City v Cardiff City

Bristol City have endured a fairly poor start to the season, with Liam Manning reportedly under pressure before their clash against Oxford United.

But after securing a 2-1 win against the U’s and creating plenty of chances in that game, that could give Manning and the Robins the opportunity to push on and enjoy a better season.

Sinclair Armstrong, who got himself on the scoresheet during the Oxford game, is a talent and should be able to make an impact in this clash.

Scott Twine will probably be the Robins’ key player though, with the ex-Burnley man having 51 touches against Des Buckingham’s side and executing 88% of his passes accurately.

He has the potential to kickstart his career at Ashton Gate - and a goal against Cardiff City would help his cause.

The Bluebirds have endured a dreadful start to the season, picking up just one point in their opening seven league games.

With that record in mind, it’s no surprise that Erol Bulut was dismissed, and it will be interesting to see how the Welsh side will adapt after a new manager is named.

They aren’t in an ideal situation at the moment, but the challenge they face is not insurmountable and a win against the Robins away from home would majorly boost their confidence.

However, online betting companies will surely be classing Manning’s side as the favourites in this clash.

Luton Town v Watford

This derby has the potential to be a cracker, but it’s hard to know what Watford side will turn up.

They made a great start to the campaign, winning their opening three league matches despite a torrid pre-season period.

However, their form has been mixed since and it will be interesting to see whether they can step up to the plate at a hostile Kenilworth Road.

With Yaser Asprilla leaving during the previous window, they will need to look elsewhere for creativity and firepower.

Luton Town have started the 2024/25 campaign poorly, but having the home advantage for this game, they may come into this derby clash as slight favourites.

Elijah Adebayo is a real threat at this level and could be crucial in this clash - and you have to wonder whether the experienced Angelo Ogbonna will retain his place in the starting lineup to try and keep the likes of Adebayo and Carlton Morris quiet.

League One

Charlton Athletic v Stockport County

Charlton Athletic have been underwhelming in recent years, but after climbing into the promotion mix during the early stages of this season, they will be hoping to compete for promotion, even with Saturday's setback in mind.

The Addicks’ current owners have invested a decent amount into the first-team squad in recent windows and have made some impressive additions, including Luke Berry, with those types of additions likely to persuade some people into sports betting to back them for promotion.

Berry has scored twice in eight league appearances this term - and could make the difference again in this clash.

The Addicks have only scored seven goals in their opening eight league games of the season though - and they will need to improve this scoring rate.

Stockport County also enjoyed a fairly decent start and had even climbed to the top of the table during the very early stages of the campaign, but they have faltered since then and now find themselves out of the play-off places, although they did well at Barnsley on Saturday night.

Oliver Norwood, who made the surprising decision to drop down to League One, is one to look out for in this game.

He has a superb passing range and his experience in the top two tiers of English football should allow him to help his current team.

Birmingham City v Bolton Wanderers

Chris Davies has made a very impressive start to life at Birmingham City.

It would have been easy for Blues to fold, considering the expectations on them.

But apart from an underwhelming opening day draw against Reading, they have been impressive and their recruitment has certainly helped them to thrive.

Pulling off the permanent signing of Jay Stansfield was quite an achievement and you feel he will be a cheat code in League One, after impressing in the second tier last season.

He could be the man to breach Bolton Wanderers’ defence - and it will be interesting to see him battle with the likes of Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal.

Those into football betting may be keen to back him to be the league’s top goalscorer at the end of the season, considering how well he has done during the early stages of his second spell.

Ian Evatt’s side, meanwhile, haven’t made the best start to the season, winning just two of their opening six league games of the campaign, but a recent 5-2 home victory could lift their spirits and be a turning point, as well as their 2-0 win at Crawley Town.

They were very poor in May’s play-off final and that heartbreak may have affected them during the early stages of this season, but they need to respond and climb up the table quickly if they are to give themselves the best chance of being in the top six at the end of this term.

League Two

Accrington Stanley v Morecambe

Accrington Stanley will be disappointed to be low down in the League Two table, considering they were a competitive third-tier team not so long ago.

In fairness, they haven’t had the easier run of fixtures to start the season with, but conceding three at home in a 3-3 home draw against Harrogate Town would have been frustrating for them.

That draw was a missed opportunity for Stanley, but they do have a bright spark who goes by the name of Shaun Whalley.

Registering two goals and two assists in seven league appearances this term, he could make all the difference in some of their upcoming games.

Morecambe are another team that are down the bottom end of the division - and that may not come as a surprise to some considering their previous ownership issues.

They also made quite a few signings during the summer - and they will need time to adapt.

One thing that will give them some belief was their late comeback against Fleetwood Town in front of the Sky Sports cameras, with a quickfire double rescuing a 2-2 draw in Lancashire.

Their situation isn’t ideal though - and they need to get points on the board as quickly as possible.

Barrow vs Notts County

Now we switch our attention to two sides who are currently at the top end of the fourth tier.

It was unclear how Barrow were going to get on after Pete Wild’s departure, but Stephen Clemence has proved to be a shrewd appointment thus far.

The promotion challengers can’t afford to get too carried away, but they can be pleased with their efforts so far and the fact there are three automatic promotion spots available could boost their chances of securing promotion to the third tier at the end of this term.

Their game against Notts County won’t be an easy one though, because quite a few of their players are near the top end of the top scorers chart.

Ex-Coventry City man Jodi Jones has four league goals to his name so far this season, along with David McGoldrick, whilst Dan Crowley and Alassana Jatta have three.