EFL preview for November: Crucial Sunderland clash, South Yorkshire derby, Ian Holloway’s Swindon Town | OneFootball

We have the lowdown on the month of November in the Championship, League One and League Two.

The EFL is continuing to entertain supporters across the country, with Sunderland currently standing tall as the best team outside of the Premier League.

The Black Cats have been exceptional, with some of their younger players coming to life, including Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.

However, there’s plenty of the season left to go in the Championship, League One and League Two, and it will be interesting to see what November brings.

Clubs in the third and fourth tier may be in FA Cup action this month, but there are still plenty of league games to be played.

This is an important period of the season for those at opposite ends of their respective leagues - and there are plenty of key games in the second, third and fourth tiers to keep an eye on this month.

We have taken a look at some of them below, courtesy of online betting company Betway.

Championship

Luton Town v Cardiff City

Luton Town have endured a woeful start to the 2024/25 campaign.

The Hatters may have been expected to have a bit of a hangover following their relegation from the Premier League, but the fact they haven’t been able to get themselves back on track is a major cause for concern.

They have had some injury issues this season, but they still had enough quality on the pitch to win more points than they have this term, and it will be interesting to see whether they can turn things around under Rob Edwards.

Elijah Adebayo is back in form though, having scored twice in his last two league games, so he could be a key figure against Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds, meanwhile, have been able to improve their form quite considerably under Omer Riza.

Having enjoyed a decent 2023/24 campaign under Erol Bulut, some Cardiff fans may have lost all hope when their team started this season poorly under him, but Riza has done well.

However, they need to build on this if they want to avoid the drop, and they could look to key players like Rubin Colwill to guide them to safety.

This clash could play a small part in deciding who goes down and who stays up.

West Bromwich Albion v Burnley

West Brom have made a fairly mixed start to the season.

They started exceptionally, but have dropped quite a few points in recent games. Turning draws into wins could be key for them in their quest to be involved in the promotion mix again at the end of the season.

Josh Maja has started the season very well and Karlan Grant is also establishing himself as a key player at The Hawthorns again, so both of those attackers could have a say against Burnley.

The Clarets, who are now led by Scott Parker, have some talented players at their disposal, despite losing some important former first-teamers during the latter stages of the summer transfer window.

Luca Koleosho has endured a fairly frustrating season so far and hasn’t always performed up to expectations during the 2024/25 campaign thus far, but he can make a real difference when he’s on top form.

This clash in the Midlands looks set to be a very entertaining one, with Carlos Corberan’s side enjoying a decent start to the season and the Clarets having a very good team on paper.

Sheffield United v Sunderland

The Steel City derby takes place this month, but this clash could be an even more fascinating tie.

Sheffield United have made a very good start to the season. Their two-point deduction could have been a psychological barrier for them, but they have done well, all in all.

They may have had a couple of setbacks in October, but they can be pleased with their work thus far, and their win against Stoke City shows that they haven’t been beaten down too much by recent losses.

The Black Cats have also been able to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the division, currently sitting top of the league table under Regis Le Bris, who has done an excellent job at the Stadium of Light thus far.

Wilson Isidor is one to watch, with the forward being what the Wearside outfit have needed all along. Already proving his worth in the north east, he could have a real impact at Bramall Lane too.

League One

Burton Albion v Shrewsbury Town

There are a number of interesting battles taking place at the lower end of the third tier in November, with this being one of the key games.

Burton Albion haven’t been able to succeed under Mark Robinson, who oversaw a miserable start to the season against the Brewers.

Back in the summer, they made some shrewd additions, and Danilo Orsi is already looking like a good signing.

Unfortunately, they haven’t got any league wins to show for it and are currently rock bottom of the table.

Shrewsbury Town have also made a poor start to the season, despite managing to secure their survival under Paul Hurt during the latter stages of last term.

With Cambridge United managing to secure some positive results recently, it’s so important that the Shropshire outfit can get some points on the board as quickly as possible.

Their game at the Pirelli Stadium will be seen as an opportunity for them.

Barnsley v Rotherham United

This South Yorkshire derby will be an important one for different reasons.

Barnsley are currently around the promotion mix, but they haven’t been able to establish themselves as one of the favourites to secure a place in the second tier.

Darrell Clarke isn’t doing a bad job at the moment, but he will be looking to improve his team’s league position.

Adam Phillips has been in good form so far this season and could make all the difference again, with his contributions in the final third helping the Tykes’ cause.

Rotherham United, meanwhile, have endured a fairly poor season.

They made an excellent start to the summer transfer window and looked to have strengthened enough to compete at the top end of the division.

But they haven’t been able to get going under Steve Evans, who could be in a bit of trouble at some point if results don’t improve.

Jonson Clarke-Harris has proved to be a vital asset for the Millers this term - and his experience and goalscoring record at this level could be extremely useful for them.

For this clash though, sports betting websites will surely be classing the Tykes as the favourites to win this game.

League Two

Doncaster Rovers v Notts County

Doncaster Rovers will be hoping to redeem themselves after their play-off heartbreak, with some dark arts during the semi-final penalty shootout arguably contributing to their loss.

Luke Molyneux has been one of their key assets this term and could play a part in guiding his team back to the third tier.

They certainly have the infrastructure and potential to win promotion, but it remains to be seen whether they can fulfil that aim under Grant McCann, who has won promotion as a manager in the past.

Notts County are another side who look like strong contenders for promotion and with this in mind, this November clash could prove to be very important in the promotion race.

They have plenty of players who can make a real difference in the final third - and Alassana Jatta has established himself as a real star following his move from Danish side Viborg earlier this year.

He is continuing to make a difference for County and he could have the final say in this match.

Even if he doesn’t, another County player could step up to the plate. Because of the calibre of players they have, many football betting sites will be tipping them for promotion.

Swindon Town v Morecambe

This may not be seen as the most glamorous tie, but this game could be a very important one down the bottom end of the fourth tier.

Swindon Town owner Clem Morfuni and Morecambe owner Jason Whittingham are both very unpopular at their respective clubs, though the latter are currently in the process of being sold.

The former, meanwhile, are now under the stewardship of Ian Holloway, who is very experienced but wasn’t a hit at Grimsby Town.

Relegation to the National League would be a disaster for both teams, with the Shrimps in a worse position at this stage.

For all the latest live odds, head to online betting site Betway.