Everything you need to know about this weekend’s EFL action on Sky Sports: big live fixtures, free highlights, league tables, podcasts and exclusive interviews.
Friday night: an all-Yorkshire opener
Hull City vs Middlesbrough (kick-off 8pm) — live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm.
Hull arrive having produced a late comeback at Stoke, powered by Joe Gelhardt, who has seven goals in his last nine. If Gelhardt keeps this form and Oli McBurnie returns from injury so the two can play together, Hull have the attacking options to trouble anyone. They sit ninth now, but the table is so tight a Friday win would lift them as high as third before the weekend’s other results.
Middlesbrough start the weekend in second and a win at the MKM Stadium would cement that position. New boss Kim Hellberg, fresh from a debut victory over Derby, is wary of Hull’s energy. He praised their bravery, aggressive pressing and Gelhardt’s threat on the break, and said he’s looking forward to the away support.
Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast regular David Prutton thinks both teams are managing rising expectations and that Hull’s momentum makes them dangerous. His call: Hull to win 2-1.
Saturday on Sky Sports+
Sky Sports+ will show six live EFL matches on Saturday, with build-up from 11am on Sky Sports Football and EFL Goal Zone coverage on Soccer Saturday from 12.30pm.
Live fixtures on Saturday include:
– Championship: Charlton vs Portsmouth, Derby vs Leicester (feature), Watford vs Norwich
– League One: Cardiff vs Huddersfield, Plymouth vs Bradford
– League Two: Colchester vs Gillingham
Derby vs Leicester (feature game)
Derby’s season has slipped since the international break — two defeats in three matches after a five-game winning run — and they’ve also lost top scorer Carlton Morris to an injury that rules him out for a couple of months. Leicester arrive low on confidence after successive losses, including a heavy defeat at Southampton and a poor result at Sheffield United.
On-loan midfielder Jordan James has been one of Leicester’s brighter performers and says he’s used to pressure and expects his own form to help turn results around. Prutton’s view: Derby’s recent rhythm and home edge should be enough for a 2-1 win.
Other Championship action
Charlton host Portsmouth at The Valley in a meeting of two teams struggling for form — Charlton have lost four on the spin, shipping 12 and scoring just twice, while Portsmouth have one win in eight and have dropped into the relegation places.
Watford welcome Norwich to Vicarage Road. Watford remain unbeaten at home since Javi Gracia returned as manager. Norwich finally ended a long run without a victory by beating QPR last time out, snapping a 13-game winless streak.
How to follow
Catch live matches and extended build-up on Sky Sports channels and the Sky Sports app. If you don’t have Sky, some matches are available to stream without a contract. Highlights, updated tables and full fixture lists for the Championship, League One and League Two will be available on Sky’s EFL coverage throughout the weekend.
Tune in for live action, reaction, and the weekly Essential EFL podcast for predictions and analysis.