SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 6 hrs 35 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

EFL 2019-20 fixture release: Five major talking points

:Headline: EFL 2019-20 fixture release: Five major talking points: ID:362476: from db_amp
A look at the stories behind the fixtures.

The EFL fixtures for 2019-20 were announced on Thursday morning.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at some of the stories behind the
schedule.

Frankly, Rams look to have a tough start

Derby, currently managed by Frank Lampard, appear to have a tough start (Nick Potts/PA)

Whoever starts the season as Derby boss will have to hit the ground running as the Rams face five of the teams expected to finish above them in the Championship, according to the bookies, in their first eight outings. However, October may bring some respite and the festive fixture list also looks kind, meaning a possible slow start followed by a mid-season improvement.

End of the road may be a challenge for Blues

Birmingham fans may not like the look of their run-in (Nick Potts/PA)

Birmingham appear to have a tough finish to their campaign, with five of their final nine games coming against some of the division's strongest teams. The Blues are searching for a new manager following the sacking of Garry Monk earlier this week, so at least his replacement will have had some time to prepare for the challenge.

Owls can get off to a flyer

The calendar appears to be kind to Steve Bruce's Sheffield Wednesday early in the season (Martin Rickett/PA)

Sheffield Wednesday should start strongly as they face five of the Championship's apparent eight weakest teams in their first six matches. However, from mid-February onwards the Owls only have two such games and finish with three back-to-back fixtures against clubs expected to be in the shake-up for promotion.

Brewers' glass half empty, or half full?

Burton, managed by Nigel Clough, have a tricky start and finish (Martin Rickett/PA).

It would seem that Burton need to make the most of the middle of their season if they are to prosper. Nigel Clough's Brewers are the only side in League One to face five of the expected top eight teams in both their first 10 and last 10 fixtures.

EFL newcomers can hit the ground running

Salford celebrate their play-off win at Wembley (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Both the newly-promoted sides, Salford and Leyton Orient, seem to have been handed a gentle introduction to life in League Two. Each team's opening three games are against clubs tipped to finish in the lower third of the table and they only have to face two of the expected top eight before October.

amp_article__362476 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-06-20 09:54:30:
html db last update - 2021-02-20 03:23:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .