The 3 Most Exciting Fixtures In The EFL This Weekend

The EFL returns this weekend with a line-up of thrilling matches across the Championship, League One and League Two that promise to set the tone for the 2025/2026 season. Here’s a look at the three most exciting fixtures you won’t want to miss.

1) Ipswich Town vs Southampton – EFL Championship

We start off strong with what promises to be a firecracker of a game. The two sides were both relegated from the Premier League last season, with the Saints close to breaking Derby County’s record low points tally.

The game is being played at Portman Road with a 12PM kick-off on Sunday. Southampton come in to the game off the back of two wins from two in all competitions. The Saints staged a late comeback on the opening day last Saturday at home to newly promoted Wrexham, winning 2-1. They then managed to avoid an upset in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday against League One Northampton, winning 1-0.

Ipswich have endured a slow start to the campaign, drawing both of their games 1-1 against Birmingham and Bromley. The Tractor Boys eventually lost on pens to the League Two outfit, exiting the cup at the first hurdle.  

Southampton come in to the game with more momentum. However, Ipswich will be looking to kickstart their season with a big performance. Especially, with it being the first game of the season at their home, Portman Road. The Tractor Boys made Portman Road a fortress in the 23/24 season, their last season in the Championship. Ipswich lost just the one game at home in the Championship that season and they will be looking to replicate that form again this season as they aim to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt. 

Matues Fernandes will be the player to watch. The 21 year old Portuguese midfielder has been the subject of serious interest from West Ham over the last few days. The Hammers had a £30 million pound bid rejected. It is unclear whether Fernandes will play in a starting role due to the uncertainty regarding his future. However, his ability is clear to see and he will light up Sunday’s game if called upon.

Will Ipswich kickstart their season or will Southampton maintain their 100% record?

2) Barnsley Vs Bolton Wanderers – EFL League One

Two early promotion challengers clash at Oakwell on Saturday, with a 3PM kick-off. If you’re feeling Deja vu with his fixture, then don’t worry. Both sides have played each other 11 times since October 2022. The Tykes have the upper hand in this fixture, winning the last three games against the Trotters. 

Barnsley come in to the game with a 100% record so far, with an impressive win away at Plymouth and a 3-2 comeback win at Oakwell against Burton last Saturday. Bolton lost on the opening day against Stockport 2-0, in a game that was lacking real quality from both sides. They then bounced back in their first home game with a dominant performance, winning 2-0 against Plymouth. 

Both sides are looking to be back near the top of the table, after last season’s dreadful showing led to mid table finishes after 2 seasons in the play-offs. It has been a summer of rebuild for the 2 clubs, with impressive summer business leading to optimism from both sets of fans. 

Davis Keillor Dunn and Amario Cozier-Duberry will be the players to watch. Keillor Dunn was nominated for the EFL League One player of the year award after his standout performances in a below-par Barnsley side last season and is looking to replicate that form again this season, in the hope of a promotion push. Cozier-Duberry joined Wanderers on loan from Brighton this summer and has hit the ground running, with his flair, speed and technical ability impressing the Bolton faithful. 

Will Barnsley continue their fine start to the season or will Bolton Wanderers upset the apple cart?

3) Tranmere Rovers vs Gillingham – EFL League Two

Two play-off hopefuls meet at Prenton Park on Saturday, as both sides look to continue their decent starts to the season. 

Both sides have gained four points from six to start the EFL League Two campaign off. Tranmere drew 1-1 on the opening day at Colchester, only being denied all three points by a last minute equaliser from Kyreece Lisbie. Rovers then picked up their first win of the season with an emphatic performance over Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, running out comfortable 4-0 winners against 10 men. Gillingham started off their season with a 1-1 draw away at relegation threatened Accrington Stanley. The Gills then also picked up their first win of the season on Saturday, as they ran out 1-0 winners over Walsall. 

Both sides will be looking to finish in and around the play-offs this season after last season’s disappointments. Tranmere finished 20th whilst Gillingham finished 17th, in what proved to be a very poor League Two. Andy Crosby and Gareth Ainsworth will be hoping to repay the faith shown in them by their respective clubs, in what will be their first full seasons in charge. 

Omari Patrick will be the man to watch. The 29 year old was on fire on Saturday against Shewsbury Town, with a goal and an assist. He eventually won man of the match. He endured a respectable season in 24/25, scoring 13 times and assisting 6 times in a side challenging near the bottom. Patrick will be looking to build on this as he aims to fire the Birkenhead-based side to promotion this season. 

Will Tranmere make it back to back home wins or will Gillingham get their first away win on the board?