5 things to watch for in the EFL – Matchday 12

It may be an international break but in the EFL the action never stops: League One and League Two games take the spotlight this weekend and there are some tasty ties up and down the land. 

Here’s five things to watch for in the EFL over September 24th and 25th, starting with two of League One’s form sides going head-to-head.

Plymouth to puncture Ipswich’s unbeaten record?

League leaders Ipswich face a second tough away game in a row this weekend, travelling West to face Plymouth at Home Park. The Tractor Boys blew a two-goal lead at Sheffield Wednesday last week and will hope to bounce back with a win to continue their unbeaten run. Ipswich are 23/20 to win this Sunday lunchtime kick-off, with a draw 23/10. It would be only the third time in their history that the Tractor Boys have started a season with 10 games undefeated, last doing so in 2019.

Argyle, though, are flying under manager Steven Schumacher. Since he took charge in December 2021, only Sheffield Wednesday have won more League One matches than Plymouth. The home side have taken 13 points from their last five games and are 23/10 to become the first side to beat Ipswich in the league this season.

Peterborough stuttering after strong start

Peterborough were one of the teams up near the top with Ipswich in the season’s early games, but things have gone south in recent weeks. It’s been four league defeats in a row for the Posh who were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by Stevenage at the end of August.

On Saturday, they face a Port Vale side trending in the other direction with eight points from their last five games. Vale have won only two of their last 18 Football League visits to London Road, but may be sensing an opportunity here: they are 16/5 to put paid to Posh. Peterborough will be desperate to turn their poor form around and are 17/20 to get back to winning ways.

New manager bounce for Burton?

It’s been a few weeks since Burton confirmed that Dino Maamria would succeed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as the Brewers’ permanent boss, and Maamria snapped his new side’s 10-game winless run last time out with a 2-0 win over Exeter City.

The Brewers’ trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday could see them win consecutive league games for the first time since November. Burton are 27/10 to claim an away win against a side that has completed almost 100 fewer passes in the opposition half than any other team in League One this season.

Barrow hoping the wheels come off for Orient

The top two face off at Holker Street on Saturday, with Barrow looking to claw back some points on league leaders Leyton Orient. The home side have their work cut out, though: Barrow are winless in their last six Football League meetings with Orient. However, with Josh Gordon in fine goalscoring form – five goals in his last five league appearances – this could be the day that Orient’s unbeaten start comes to an end. Barrow are 17/10 to grab the win, while Leyton Orient are 13/8 to head back south with yet another three points.

Mariners riding crest of a wave in League Two

Grimsby Town have shot up the League Two table thanks to their impressive recent form, with the Mariners taking 14 points from their last six league games. They host Swindon on Saturday, a side that Grimsby boss Paul Hurst has never beaten in two previous meetings as manager. The Mariners are 5/4 to get a home win and continue to climb the table, with a draw 9/4.