Key occasions
Aston Villa are missing fluency. Tactically, they’ve actually struggled to come back to phrases with the problem posed by Daniel Farke and Leeds. Ollie Watkins has struggled for service and the midfield has regarded too congested for Villa’s playmakers to get on the ball. Still 1-0 to the Whites after 50 minutes
Southampton have solid forward at residence to Charlton courtesy of the in-form Ross Stewart. That simply leaves Boro v Oxford as the one second tier recreation with no objective …
Speaking of targets, Ipswich have bagged a 3rd at Wrexham, as Cedric Kipre makes it 3-2.
Two targets in League Two as Shrewsbury and Notts County double their leads over Accrington and Tranmere respectively.
Meanwhile Salford’s Luke Garbutt has been proven a crimson card of their recreation at Cheltenham. The Ammies are 1-0 in entrance there however may face a battle to carry onto the factors.
An early objective within the second half for Portsmouth at Millwall! It’s a rebound from Gustavo Caballero that has surprised the New Den. Millwall have been third earlier than kick-off …
Bayern 3-0 Eintracht Frankfurt. Harry Kane double. A procession auf dem Allianz.
Eesh I’ve simply observed the rugby rating. I believed England have been purported to be good this 12 months? What do I do know? (Nothing relating to rugger)
If you want targets and you determined to attend both the sport on the Racecourse Ground or Edgeley Park, congratulations, you’ve gained by way of pure EFL leisure up to now.
The whistle has gone for half-time at Brentford, the place Brighton are in line for a primary victory in six video games. Keith Andrews’ group, conversely, haven’t misplaced for almost a month, with two defeats of their previous 11 in reality, earlier than right now.
Selected half-time scores from across the grounds
Aston Villa 0-1 Leeds (PL).
Chelsea 1-0 Burnley (PL).
Hearts 1-0 Falkirk (SP).
Wrexham 2-2 Ipswich (Champ) – the guests levelled up in first-half stoppage time.
Watford 1-0 Derby (Champ).
Norwich 0-2 Birmingham (Champ).
Stockport 2-2 Wigan (L1).
Bristol Rovers 2-1 Grimsby (L2).
There’s been an prolonged interval of first half added time at Brentford, the place Brighton lead 2-0.
GOAL! Hearts 1-0 Falkirk (Chesnokov, 45)
On the brink of half-time, a toe-poke from Islam Chesnokov has clinched a valuable lead for Hearts at Tyencastle. They haven’t been too fluent, by all accounts, b ut three factors is just about all that issues right now.
GOAL! Brentford 0-2 Brighton (Welbeck, 45+1)
Danny Welbeck capitalises on some ropey Brentford defending to double the Seagulls’ lead. Where would they be with out that man Welbz?!
Looks like a mistake from Nathan Collins, who had simply come on for the Bees.
Who will topple James Milner’s look report? RS has some ideas.
Taking a tough take a look at Saka’s stats, he averages 31 video games per season so would want to remain at that degree for the subsequent 14 years (aged 38) to succeed in Milner. A greater shout could be Declan Rice who averages 33 video games per season, and can attain Milner in 10 years (aged 38). Added to that, Rice has a a lot better damage report and performs able that might enable for the years required.
Not a lot love for my Foden shout. Ah effectively.
Stockport 2-2 Wigan. That one’s been enjoyable up to now. Also in League One, Barnsley have scored at Huddersfield by means of the ageless David McGoldrick. Well, he’s 38, however continues to be bagging targets within the EFL.
Lincoln have scored at Mansfield, too by way of a Rob Street penalty. The Street gained’t overlook. (Sorry)
All the noise at Villa Park proper now could be being made by the Leeds followers. To be truthful, there’s by no means a quiet second after they’re concerned. But it displays the guests’ excellent show within the opening 39 minutes away on the league’s third-placed group.
Villa’s latest residence type has been patchy, successful two of their previous 5 in entrance of the Holte End.
Wrexham 2-1 Ipswich. Josh Windass restores the Welsh facet’s lead in a nip-and-tuck contest on the Racecourse.
Three Championship video games – at Boro, Millwall and Southampton – are nonetheless goalless.
Let’s swap to Serie A for a second, and recent off their 5-2 hammering by Galatasaray within the Champions League play-offs, Juventus are staring down the barrel of a 2-0 residence defeat by Como.
The Old Lady at the moment sit fifth; their complete season is hanging by a thread.
Finally we get some targets! And with the away groups scoring in each these video games, we are able to certainly anticipate a response of types …
Villa specifically have been quiet up to now, struggling to make inroads in opposition to Daniel Farke’s 3-5-2, which has labored wonders in latest weeks. Gruev comes shut to creating it 2-0. Unai Emery’s facet are actually rattled.
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Leeds (Stach, 31)
Anton Stach’s free-kick goes in direction of the close to publish and clinches the lead for Leeds at Villa Park! Emi Martinez was by no means stopping that, it’s a fantastic hit by Stach.
I believe Martinez was anticipating a cross.
GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Brighton (Gomez, 30)
Fabian Hürzeler wanted a objective and Diego Gomez has duly obliged on the Gtech Community Stadium! It had been a tepid begin from each groups till that second.
After having some difficulties in breaking Macclesfield down in the FA Cup on Monday night time, Brentford are in hassle once more.
At half-time within the Bundesliga, Bayern stay 2-0 up, Bayer Leverkusen are trailing 1-0 at Union Berlin whereas it’s locked at 1-1 between Köln and Hoffenheim and wolfsburg lead Augsburg 1-0.
There hasn’t been a objective in ANY of the video games within the prime 4 leagues in England since earlier than the 18th minute mark. We’re now on 27 minutes. Dry spell.
Re gamers who may break Milner’s look report, Matt Emerson chimes in. “I’d go for Saka. He’s a year younger than Foden and has more appearances.”
We haven’t thought-about the likelihood that there’s an unborn Gray who will make it professional aged 13 or one thing.
Ipswich are again on phrases at Wrexham! Kieran McKenna’s facet have a number of video games in hand on their rivals within the higher echelons of the Championship so might fancy themselves for a late automated promotion push. Anis Mehmeti, not too long ago signed from Bristol City, has received the objective.
Hearts 0-0 Falkirk is the rating after 17 minutes at Tynecastle and with each passing minute the strain will notch up for the Scottish Premiership leaders. They merely can not afford to slide up right now. The Old Firm duo are respiration down their necks.
I swear each time I believe I do know which membership Nakhi Wells performs for, he pops up at a special one. Anyway, he’s simply opened the scoring for Luton in opposition to Burton.
In the Championship, Birmingham are in dreamland at Norwich, two targets to the nice after 14 minutes.
12 minutes gone at Villa Park and not an enormous quantity has occurred. “Football in a library,” is the mantra from the Leeds away followers. Yes, that chant, certainly the worst within the trendy recreation.
Three targets in 11 minutes at Stockport now! Joe Taylor has a brace for Wigan already, with the guests main 2-1.
I’ve simply offered my home to a Wigan fan, so he’s having a great weekend up to now.
“Been wondering which player might go on to break Milner’s record one day,” wonders Edan Tal. “My guess is Archie Gray.”
That’s an honest shout, Edan. I’ll plump for Phil Foden; he’s nonetheless solely 25 and has performed a LOT of soccer.
There are targets flying in all over the place, in reality. Kieffer Moore has made it 1-0 to Wrexham in opposition to his (one in every of his many) former membership Ipswich.
Watford lead Derby 1-0 within the Championship, whereas Bristol Rovers have bagged two in seven minutes to storm forward at residence to Grimsby. The outdated Steve Evans impact is lastly taking maintain on the Gas.
Two targets within the first 5 minutes at Stockport v Wigan! Joel Taylor caught the hosts napping early on earlier than Brad Hills levelled up a few minutes later.
I used to be about to determine which Premier League recreation to make my major focus and that early Chelsea objective has swayed me within the course of Aston Villa v Leeds.
Although it seems like there’s a VAR verify occurring at Chelsea…
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Burnley (Pedro, 4)
Chelsea have been large favourites to win right now and it actually hasn’t taken them lengthy to breach Burnley’s defence. Joao Pedro with an easy end to open the scoring at Stamford Bridge.
The first objective of the afternoon has been scored by Shrewsbury at Accrington in League Two. Can the Shrews, beforehand beleaguered, make it 4 wins on the bounce?
It’s KICK OFF time across the varied grounds.
James Milner is beginning for Brighton at Brentford and formally turns into the Premier League’s report appearance-maker, now leaving Gareth Barry in his wake. It’s additionally his first begin of 2026.
Four video games are already below means within the Bundesliga, by the best way, having kicked off at 2.30pm GMT. And Bayern Munich have raced right into a 2-0 lead at residence to Eintracht Frankfurt, with Harry Kane inevitably among the many scorers.
The solely different objective scored in Germany up to now has been by Ragnar Ache of FC Köln and I’ve been informed it’s an absolute scorcher. And do use these phrases.
Right, I’m going to seize a fast cuppa and put together myself for the post-3pm insanity … be happy to do the identical.
I believe Plymouth are proof that you just don’t should sack your supervisor to show your fortunes round. Plenty have been calling for Tom Cleverley’s head after a run of 1 win in 9 video games throughout October and November noticed the Green Army sink in direction of the relegation locations, however Argyle caught by their man and they’ve risen dramatically up the League One desk since December, dropping simply three of their 16 matches in all competitions.
Fair play to TClevz and the gang. They at the moment are simply three factors off the playoffs.
A preview of right now’s motion north of the border comes by way of e-mail correspondent Simon McMahon:
Afternoon Dom! Heading to Tannadice right now to see Dundee United tackle Kilmarnock within the Scottish Premier. United have been wildly inconsistent all season however have gained their final two, a high-quality 3-2 league win at Falkirk final Saturday adopted by a 2-1 win at residence to Spartans within the Scottish Cup in midweek. Top six stays unlikely for United, however three factors right now would take Jim Goodwin’s males 11 factors away from their guests and, assuming Falkirk lose at leaders Hearts, inside eight of the Bairns in sixth, however with two video games in hand. So all to play for. Come on United!
Full time scores in early EFL video games
Championship
Hull 1-3 QPR
Stoke 2-2 Leicester
Swansea 1-0 Bristol City
West Brom 0-2 Coventry
League One
Plymouth 5-2 Cardiff
Rotherham 1-2 Doncaster
Wycombe 3-1 Stevenage
League Two
Fleetwood 3-2 Barrow
Swindon 1-2 Crewe
Scratch that Leicester winner… Ben Wilmot has bagged his second of the afternoon from centre-back to attract Stoke degree at 2-2.
Meanwhile, it’s Plymouth 5-2 Cardiff in League One. The league leaders have taken a beating from Tom Cleverley’s improved facet.
What a objective from teenage Aussie winger Daniel Bennie for QPR! A stunner from 20 yards or extra has stolen the lead for the Rs at Hull. You in all probability have to think about Julien Stéphan’s males among the many (many) playoff contenders in the event that they see that 201 scoreline by means of.
Looking again on that Premier League group information… there’s some severe power in depth within the division as of late isn’t there? You’ve received Tammy Abraham and Jadon Sancho – who’ve each been main objective scorers/makers in different prime European leagues – on the bench at Villa.
On the alternative bench at Villa Park sit Daniel James and Willy Gnonto, two livewire wingers who’ve been extremely rated of their time. And I personally assume Ao Tanaka is without doubt one of the most underrated midfielders within the league.
A giant objective for Leicester and Gary Rowett in his first recreation in cost! Harry Winks has made it 2-1 at Stoke. That means West Brom drop into the underside three…
At The Hawthorns, the house followers chant: “Eric Ramsay, your football is sh*t.”
“We’re top of the league,” is the response from the Coventry contingent.
Leicester, who have gotten themselves again on degree phrases at Stoke by way of Manchester City loaneee Divine Mukasa, might now be eyeing all three factors on the bet365 Stadium. 1-1 there.
There haven’t been a great deal of targets within the second half of those EFL video games, although Crewe main 2-1 at high-flying Swindon in League Two is a little bit of a shock.
Chelsea v Burnley group information
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernández, Neto; Pedro.
Subs: Slonina, Tosin, Delap, Sarr, Hato, Acheampong, Guiu, Lavia, Garnacho.
Burnley: Dubravka; Walker, Esteve, Worrall, Humphreys; Ugochukwu, Laurent, Hannibal; Edwards, Flemming, Anthony.
Subs: Weiss, Hartman, Bruun Larsen, Luis, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Ward-Prowse, Pires, Barnes.
Brentford v Brighton group information
Brentford: Kelleher; Hickey, Ajer, Van den Berg, Henry; Janelt, Henderson, Jensen; Ouattara, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Schade, Nelson, Yamoliuk, Collins, Damsgaard, Donovan, Furo.
Brighton: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Milner, Wieffer, Gross; Gomes, Mitoma, Welbeck.
Subs: Steele, Rutter, Minteh, Baleba, Kostoulas, Boscagli, De Cuyper, Veltman, Howell.
Aston Villa v Leeds group information
Aston Villa: Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Bailey, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins.
Subs: Wright, Lindelof, Barkley, Digne, Torres, Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Bogarde.
Leeds: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Gruev, Stach, Ampadu, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Perri, James, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bijol, Tanaka, Bornauw, Gnonto.
Hold onto your hats, right here comes the Premier League group information …
There are swathes of empty seats at The Hawthorns right now. Clearly the West Brom devoted are voting with their toes because the membership slides into the relegation mire. It hasn’t gone to plan below Eric Ramsay because the former Manchester United coach arrived from MLS … Coventry look snug for the time being.
Let’s take a look forward to the Premier League weekend. Team information for the 3pm video games might be dropping in quarter-hour or so.
Half-time scores within the EFL early video games
Championship
Hull 1-1 QPR
Stoke 1-0 Leicester
Swansea 1-0 Bristol City
West Brom 0-2 Coventry
League One
Plymouth 3-2 Cardiff
Rotherham 1-0 Doncaster
Wycombe 1-0 Stevenage
League Two
Fleetwood 0-2 Barrow
Swindon 0-1 Crewe
Plymouth v Cardiff in League One was goalless the final time I checked, simply earlier than the half hour mark. Then the next occurred:
28 minutes – Lorent Tolaj makes it 1-0 Plymouth
31 minutes – Aribim Pepple doubles the hosts’ lead
33 minutes – 2-1 as Omari Kellyman reduces the deficit
34 minutes – Pepple scores once more for 3-1
43 minutes – Kellyman scores once more, 3-2
Football!
Blackburn’s win over Preston final night time means they’ve now gone on a spurt of three wins in 4 video games, a much-needed new supervisor bounce below Michael O’Neill. It additionally means, with Portsmouth in first rate type themselves – they’ve solely misplaced two of their previous seven – that one in every of Leicester or West Brom seems prone to drop into League One.
Oxford are second backside however not fully out of the hunt for survival, although they’ve a tricky job right now away at Middlesbrough. Pompey even have their work lower away, away at Millwall.
As for Sheffield Wednesday, their destiny could possibly be sealed as early as tomorrow in opposition to their bitter metropolis rivals. It’s been an annus horribilis for the Owls.
Current scores within the Championship:
Hull 0-1 QPR
Stoke 1-0 Leicester
Swansea 1-0 Bristol City
West Brom 0-2 Coventry
Around 40 minutes or so have gone in these video games – a dream begin for Frank Lampard’s table-topping Cov! Goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni might be placing the Sky Blues 4 factors clear because it stands.
Preamble
Right, we’re beginning a bit early on right now’s clockwatch to cowl the intriguing EFL lunchtime video games, which embody leaders Coventry away at midlands rivals West Brom. It’s exhausting to consider the Baggies and Leicester at the moment are amongst this season’s relegation contenders; the Foxes are at the moment away at Stoke, by the best way.
The Premier League stuff begins in a while with a trio of matches – Aston Villa v Leeds is unquestionably the standout. Can Villa hold their feint title hopes alive, or a minimum of hold the chasing prime 4/5 pack at bay with a win? Or will Daniel Farke’s facet proceed their march away from hassle? There’s additionally Chelsea v Burnley and Brentford v Brighton. There’s additionally a full schedule of fixtures in League One, League Two and the National League. And in Scotland, Hearts should see off Falkirk to maintain their noses in entrance within the title race, with Rangers and Celtic lurking.
Let’s get cracking, lets? It ought to be an excellent day of soccer – bear in mind to drop me an email or a message on Bluesky to maintain the chat going by means of the day.
