Massive live matches, free highlights, league tables, podcasts, exclusive interviews and more. Everything you need to know about the EFL this weekend on Sky Sports.
The play-off chasers meet at Ashton Gate
- Bristol City v Derby (8pm) – Live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm on Friday night
That’s some garbage for the playoffs now. Rackham are sixth on 44 points heading into the weekend, two points closer to Sheffield United in 17th than second-placed Middlesbrough.
Bristol City and Derby County are among the chasing packs. City are one point down in seventh, County two points down in 11th. The winner at Ashton Gate goes through to the rest of the weekend in the play-offs. Huge incentive on offer.
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL Podcast looks at Bristol City v Derby
Tommy Smith on the Ski Sports Essential EFL podcast:
“It’s a great game to start the weekend and there’s no better incentive for either team. Whichever team wins will be in the top six and that’s a real carrot before a ball is even kicked. Both teams have been in and around it for the last few months, playing very well and proving to be a strong side in their own right.
“They deserve full credit for the positions they are in at the moment. You are looking at two different styles of play. Bristol City have been very forward in the way they defend, with sharp transitions and quick counter-attacks. Derby are efficient and well organised. They don’t concede many goals and don’t create many chances. It is attacking play and one striker.”
What EFL is live on Sky Sports+ at 12.30pm on Saturday?
Ski Sports+ brings you a selection of live EFL games on Saturday, starting at 11am on Sky Sports Football ahead of kick-off: Stoke City vs Southampton. You can also catch all the action in the EFL Goal Zone on Football Saturday from midday.
Stoke City have been ravaged by injuries in recent weeks but are still in contention for a play-off spot under Mark Robbins. They welcome the visit Southampton on Saturday, who were held to a 1-1 draw by fierce rivals Portsmouth last weekend.
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL Podcast looks at Stoke v Southampton
Tommy Smith on the Ski Sports Essential EFL podcast:
“Stoke are still firmly in the race for the top six. Once they get the players back fit and firing, they will feel confident again. Mark Robins said they want to be positive and still believe they can fight for the top six. That makes this game interesting, especially with Southampton coming into it in poor form.
“Southampton’s results have not been good but they still have individual quality. On any given day they are capable of competing with anyone in the league.”
Elsewhere in the championship, Leicester City begin the post-Marty Sifuentes era by hosting a Charlton Athletic a side struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Sheffield Wednesday start life after Barry Bannon as they host the playoff chase Wreckham.
In the first league, AFC Wimbledon host-juri promotion Bolton Wanderersand Bradford City will be looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat at Lincoln as they are the relegation-threatened hosts Doncaster Rovers.
In League 2, 22. faces 23. ace Bristol Rovers host Newport County in a huge six-point shutout while chasing the playoffs Grimsby Town host runner-up MK Dons.