Can Ipswich or Sheff Utd claim a first win on Friday night?
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast look ahead to Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United.
Ipswich vs Sheffield United (Fri 8pm) – Live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm
It has not been the start either would have wanted. Ipswich are yet to win, drawing three and losing one, while Sheffield United are rock bottom of the table having lost all four games.
Two pre-season promotion contenders need to get their campaigns up and running at Portman Road as the Championship returns after the international break.
Ipswich have the fewest league wins in the top four English leagues in this calendar year of 2025, with just one victory.
Sheffield United have failed to score in the Championship since the 14th minute of their opening-day defeat at home to Bristol City.
David Prutton’s prediction from the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast:
“Ipswich haven’t started well, but Sheffield United have been worse. They’ve shown glimpses of quality but far too inconsistently, and the change of manager hasn’t clicked. Those scenes of him in front of the away crowd at Middlesbrough were striking. Having spoken to him, I know how focused he’ll be on fixing things, but I hope those moments don’t come back to haunt him.
“The anger from fans is understandable given results, but right now players and supporters aren’t on the same page. Ipswich, by contrast, can rely on Kieran McKenna, who knows what it takes to get out of the Championship. Their progress may be slower, but they trust him to deliver. So there are similarities between the two clubs, but also key differences. Ipswich to win 2-0.”
What EFL is live on Sky Sports+ at 12.30pm on Saturday?
As always, Sky Sports+ brings you seven live EFL games on Saturday, with build-up starting from 11am on Sky Sports Football ahead of the feature game: Charlton vs Millwall
CH: Charlton vs Millwall, Oxford vs Leicester, Preston vs MiddlesbroughL1: Bradford vs Huddersfield, Northampton vs BlackpoolL2: Accrington vs Colchester, Crawley vs Cheltenham
A South London reunion at The Valley
It is five years since the two South London rivals Charlton and Millwall last met, and eight years since they last faced each other at The Valley in front of fans. Neither have had the perfect start, and both are looking to bounce back from defeats before the international break.
Elsewhere in the Championship…
Oxford got their first point of the season against Coventry before the international break, but they are still chasing a first win of the season. They host a Leicester City side who are ticking along well with three wins out of four.
Preston suffered their first defeat of the season before the international break, and will be hoping to bounce back against Championship leaders Middlesbrough – the only side remaining who have won four from four.
League One & Two
t is 18 years since Yorkshire clubs Bradford and Huddersfield met in a league game, and they have both started well in League One this season. Northampton and Blackpool find themselves a little further down the table as they prepare to face off at Sixfields.
Accrington are the only side in League Two without a win this season as they prepare to host Colchester, while Crawley and Cheltenham both also find themselves in the bottom five.
And a South Coast blockbuster on Sunday…
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast looks ahead to Southampton vs Portsmouth.
Southampton vs Portsmouth (Sun 12pm) – Live on Sky Sports Football from 11am
Now this should be good. A proper reunion, and it won’t be a fond one. It is six years since south-coast rivals Southampton and Portsmouth faced each other, and 13 long years since they last played a league game.
When they met in the League Cup in 2019, they were in the Premier League and League One. Now they meet on level terms, with Pompey above the Saints in the table. It is going to be fierce.
David Prutton’s prediction from the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast:
“This is one of the biggest fixtures we get the chance to cover in the EFL. If you have even a passing awareness of it, you know it is always a feisty affair. The two clubs absolutely hate each other, and that makes for a derby that is fiercely fought and often very hard and attritional.
“It is definitely one of the fiercest games I ever played in. Everyone talks about the biggest rivalries in England, and we all know what the famous ones are, but Southampton against Portsmouth is unique. Its location and historical significance make it stand out.
“It is a rivalry laced with venom, one of the most fiery you could hope for, and I think this match has all the ingredients to be a real spectacle. 2-2.”
Listen to the Essential EFL podcast – predictions, interviews and more
Sky Sports brings you the Essential EFL podcast, featuring all the best content from the Championship, League One and League Two.
Make sure you don’t miss an episode…
EFL Goal Zone on Soccer Saturday
Catch all of the goals from the 12.30pm kick-offs on Sky Sports News live on Soccer Saturday with a dedicated part of the studio set aside to showcase every ball hitting the back of the net.
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Your guide to Sky Sports+ and how to watch your EFL team
Here’s everything you need to know about Sky Sports+ including how to watch your EFL team this season…
Free-to-watch EFL highlights
Should you miss your team play, or just want to catch up, then remember we have free match highlights from all Sky Bet Championship fixtures available for you shortly after the full-time whistle blows. League One and League Two highlights will also be available soon after.
Every Saturday 3pm kick-off will be available from 5.15pm, while all other highlights will be available shortly after full-time.
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