5 things to watch for in the EFL – Matchday 2

The primary spherical of EFL fixtures is within the books, and there have been loads of surprises alongside the best way. Whether or not your staff gained, drew or misplaced, remember that no league is ever gained after one recreation – and that is the EFL, the place something can occur.

Right here’s what to search for in Matchday 2 of the Championship, League One and League Two.

Can the Canaries kickstart their promotion bid?

Norwich are among the many favourites for promotion again to the Premier League, however suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Cardiff final Saturday. To compound issues, centre-back Grant Hanley was despatched off late on and can now miss their subsequent recreation.

Norwich, although, haven’t misplaced their opening two video games of a second-tier marketing campaign since 1997 – and a house conflict in opposition to newly-promoted Wigan appears like a high quality alternative to get factors on the board. The Canaries kick-off at 12:30 on Saturday and are 13/20 to have an gratifying afternoon with a house win. We even have Enhanced Odds of 4/1 on Norwich to win each halves.

Cooper’s curse to strike once more for Millwall in opposition to the Blades?

Sheffield United have a poor current report in opposition to Millwall, profitable simply two of their final 11 in opposition to the Lions. The Blades have additionally misplaced their first residence league recreation in three of their final 4 seasons, and Millwall are 17/5 to win once more at Bramall Lane.

Millwall centre-back Jake Cooper has scored a outstanding 5 objectives in eight appearances in opposition to the Blades, together with profitable objectives in each conferences between the perimeters final season. For the reason that begin of final season, no Championship facet has scored extra set-piece objectives than the Lions, and Cooper is 14/1 to attain any time but once more on Saturday.

Promotion favourites go head-to-head on the Hawthorns

Within the Championship’s last recreation of the weekend, the Hornets go to the Hawthorns as West Brom host Watford on Monday evening. It’s the primary time the 2 have confronted one another outdoors of the Premier League in 12 years, and each will probably be feeling upbeat after the opening weekend.

West Brom battled again to attract away at Boro, whereas Watford eased to a 1-0 win over one other promotion favorite, Sheffield United. That end result means Watford have gained 15 of their final 19 Championship video games, and they’re 2/1 to make it six factors out of six. West Brom noticed two debutants mix at Middlesbrough within the type of John Swift and Jed Wallace – Swift is 13/5 to attain any time on his residence debut, whereas Wallace is 8/1 to get the primary objective.

Dons dreading the arrival of the Owls?

It’s a match-up between final season’s crushed play-off semi-finalists in League One this weekend, as MK Dons host Sheffield Wednesday at Stadium MK. The Dons have gained simply considered one of their 10 league conferences with Wednesday, and the Owls did the double over their hosts final season. Wednesday are 11/8 to win on Saturday, and a repeat of final season’s 3-2 scoreline right here is 33/1.

Cobblers to proceed their profitable begin?

Northampton are 15/2 to win League Two, and obtained off to a tidy begin when Ryan Haynes’ late winner gave them three factors on the opening day of the season. The Cobblers now journey to face a Grimsby City facet who they haven’t misplaced in opposition to in nearly 18 years. Northampton have gained every of their final three away league video games and are 7/5 to make it four-in-a-row in opposition to Grimsby. The Cobblers have additionally stored a clear sheet in every of their final three league conferences with the Mariners – it’s 7/4 that they preserve Grimsby off the scoresheet but once more on this one.