Summary

  • Ipswich beat Hull to go top of Championship

  • Sheff Wed still winless after defeat by West Brom

  • Southampton win at Stoke

  • Victories for Birmingham, Middlesbrough & Millwall

  • Portsmouth score stoppage-time winner to stay top of League One

  • Cheltenham equal English record of 11 games without a goal

  • Play abandoned at Leyton Orient after medical emergency in crowd

  • League Two leaders Notts County beat Swindon

  1. goal

    GOAL: Birmingham 1-0 Huddersfieldpublished at 19:50 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Siriki Dembele (3 mins)

    It wasn't the cleanest of strikes from Birmingham's Siriki Dembele but they all count.

    His shot from 20 yards out is pretty much towards the centre of the goal but Huddersfield keeper Lee Nicholls palms it into the corner.

    Great start for the hosts.

    Birmingham celebrate scoring a goalImage source, Rex Features
  2. Potters and Saints looking for momentumpublished at 19:50 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Stoke v Southampton (20:00 BST)

    Southampton boss Russell Martin looking onImage source, Rex Features

    Stoke's last-minute comeback win over Bristol City on Saturday was the shot in the arm that they needed after losing four of their last five Championship matches.

    The Potters - who are only two points outside the bottom three - have a mixed record at home so far this season but they've shown they can secure points at the bet365 Stadium with two of their three wins coming in front of home fans.

    Their opponents Southampton managed to steady the ship at the weekend as well, securing their first win in four matches, to quieten frustrated fans.

    Another win for Saints could thrust them back into the Championship's top six, but can Russell Martin's men live up to their billing as one of the division's top teams?

    Whoever wins will take serious momentum into the weekend.

  3. Postpublished at 19:49 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Middlesbrough 0-0 Cardiff

    The last time Boro played at home they got their first win of the Championship season (beating Southampton) and they haven’t lost since.

    Beware the Bluebirds though who look sharp with four league wins on the bounce.

    Going to be good this one.

  4. Postpublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Birmingham 0-0 Huddersfield

    Well underway at St Andrews.

    Birmingham have the better record so far this season but Huddersfield have the better form.

    It’s going to be interesting to see who comes out on top in this one.

  5. Postpublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Ipswich 0-0 Hull

    Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna has made four changes for this one as captain Sam Morsy returns from suspension.

    Brandon Williams, George Edmundson and Marcus Harness also come into the XI.

    Hull manager Liam Rosenior brings in Lewie Coyle, Jacob Greaves and Liam Delap.

    Ipswich last won a home game against Hull in May 2008.

  6. KICK-OFFpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    #bbcefl

    The whistles are pinging up and down the country in four Championship games and a further 24 matches across League One and League Two.

    Will it prove to be a goal-filled evening?

  7. Listen to Squad Goalspublished at 19:43 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    #bbcefl

    If you want to hear about the goals going in alongside our text updates, then you can listen to Squad Goals.

    Just click the play button above to keep abreast of all the EFL action.

  8. Magpies entertain high-scoring and unbeaten Robinspublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    League Two preview

    Jake Young celebrates scoring a goal for SwindonImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Swindon are the top scorers in League Two with 26 goals - and Jake Young leads the charts with nine goals in as many games

    The goals have been flowing in the fourth tier this season, with Notts County remaining top on goal difference despite losing 5-4 at Colchester on Saturday.

    The Magpies host third-placed Swindon Town, who remain unbeaten after seeing a combined 40 goals scored in their nine league games this season.

    Crawley Town are ready to pounce on any slip-up by the leaders as the second-placed Reds, who continue to confound the pre-season predictions, travel to Doncaster Rovers.

    Mansfield Town are also yet to be defeated in the league and welcome promoted Wrexham.

    Bottom club Sutton United haven't won since beating Notts on the opening day, yet could move out of the relegation zone if the U's win against Salford City and other results go their way.

    • Crewe Alexandra v Gillingham
    • Doncaster Rovers v Crawley Town
    • Grimsby Town v Barrow
    • Harrogate Town v AFC Wimbledon
    • Mansfield Town v Wrexham
    • Morecambe v Accrington Stanley
    • Newport County v Colchester United
    • Notts County v Swindon Town
    • Stockport County v Forest Green Rovers
    • Sutton United v Salford City
    • Tranmere Rovers v Bradford City
    • Walsall v Milton Keynes Dons

    All games kick off at 19:45 BST.

  9. Clarke in as Robins seek first goalpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    League One preview

    Darrell ClarkeImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Former Bristol Rovers, Walsall and Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke will be hoping for an immediate impact at goalless and winless Cheltenham

    In League One, Portsmouth will be looking to extend their unbeaten start as the leaders host ninth-placed Wycombe Wanderers.

    But most eyes will be on bottom club Cheltenham Town, who will be looking to avoid two unwanted records as Darrell Clarke takes charge of the side for the first time.

    The Robins have failed to score in their opening 10 league games - the worst such start to a campaign in EFL history - and could equal the longest barren run at any point of a season if they fail to find the net against Fleetwood Town.

    Cheltenham could also become the first club to lose five home games at a start of a season without scoring.

    Elsewhere, second-placed Oxford United host Shrewsbury and third-placed Stevenage go to Bolton Wanderers, who start the evening in fourth.

    • Blackpool v Derby County
    • Bolton Wanderers v Stevenage
    • Bristol Rovers v Port Vale
    • Burton Albion v Wigan Athletic
    • Cambridge United v Barnsley
    • Carlisle United v Peterborough United
    • Charlton Athletic v Exeter City
    • Cheltenham Town v Fleetwood Town
    • Leyton Orient v Lincoln City
    • Northampton Town v Reading
    • Oxford United v Shrewsbury Town
    • Portsmouth v Wycombe Wanderers

    All games kick off at 19:45 BST.

  10. Plymouth seek home comforts against goal-shy Lionspublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Plymouth Argyle v Millwall (19:45 BST)

    Plymouth pair Ryan Hardie and Margan Whittaker celebrate a goal against Norwich CityImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Plymouth pair Ryan Hardie and Morgan Whittaker have nine Championship goals between them this season - almost double the total of Millwall's players combined

    Plymouth Argyle have adapted well to life back in the second tier, sitting 12th after nine games of the season.

    Their form at Home Park could be crucial to their hopes of Championship survival, as no EFL club has won more home games than Plymouth's 23 since the start of last season.

    Southampton may have triumphed in Devon back in August but Plymouth's last home outing saw Steven Schumacher's side thump Norwich 6-2.

    Millwall make the trip to the south west looking for a first win in three games, and having failed to score in three of their past four outings.

    The Lions are the second-lowest scorers in the Championship this season, with seven goals. Only struggling Sheffield Wednesday have netted fewer.

  11. Can Blues stop decline against in-form Terriers?published at 19:31 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Birmingham v Huddersfield (19:45 BST)

    General view of St Andrew'sImage source, Rex Features

    After an impressive start to the Championship season Birmingham have started to unravel in recent weeks.

    They are holding on to 12th place in the table but John Eustace's men are on a disappointing five game skid and haven't won since the end of August.

    Meanwhile, opponents Huddersfield are trending in the right direction and could leapfrog the Blues with a win.

    The Terriers have been steadily improving and are on a five-game unbeaten run that includes a hard fought draw against high-flying Ipswich on Saturday under new boss Darren Moore.

    Birmingham have a decent home record so far this season and Huddersfield have looked equally strong on the road, so expect a competitive back-and-forth at St Andrew's tonight.

  12. Boro look to take advantage of Cardiff away formpublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Middlesbrough v Cardiff (19:45 BST)

    Middlesbrough players celebrate goalImage source, Rex Features

    Middlesbrough's Championship season got off to a shaky start, with no wins from their opening seven games, but they have managed to turn it around in recent weeks.

    Michael Carrick's men are on their best form yet and they've been able to claw themselves away from the clutches of the division's bottom three with a pair of wins and a draw from their last three outings.

    Tonight's in-form opponents Cardiff are enjoying an excellent run themselves and have four wins on the bounce and they've only conceded two goals from those four fixtures.

    But the Bluebirds have struggled slightly away from home with just one win from four.

    A clash between two in-form teams at opposite ends of the Championship, but this should be closer than the league table suggests.

  13. Tigers travel to high-flying Ipswichpublished at 19:25 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Ipswich Town v Hull City (19:45 BST)

    Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna salutes the crowd after a matchImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Could Kieran McKenna lead Ipswich Town to successive promotions and end what would be a 22-year absence from the Premier League?

    Ipswich Town's return to the Championship has been pretty dreamy so far and, with leaders Leicester City not in action until tomorrow, will go top of the table if they beat Hull City tonight.

    The Tractor Boys are unbeaten in five and in a rich scoring vein at Portman Road.

    Kieran McKenna's side have scored at least two goals in their past 14 home games, averaging 3.5 goals a game during that period.

    But Hull visit Suffolk in strong form themselves.

    The Tigers are looking to go nine games without defeat and have picked up a joint-Championship high of eight points from losing positions this season.

    The Humberside outfit have also won on their past six trips to Ipswich, with the most recent of those coming in November 2020.

  14. Tonight's Championship fixturespublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    Here's what's coming up in the second tier this evening:

    • Birmingham City v Huddersfield Town (19:45 BST)
    • Ipswich Town v Hull City (19:45 BST)
    • Middlesbrough v Cardiff City (19:45 BST)
    • Plymouth Argyle v Millwall (19:45 BST)
    • Stoke City v Southampton (20:00 BST)
    • West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday (20:00 BST)
  15. Back once againpublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 3 October 2023

    #bbcefl

    Notts County mascotsImage source, Rex Features

    The English Football League action keeps on coming, with six Championship games and a full programme in League One and League Two this evening.

    The second international break is almost upon us, with tables starting to take shape across the three divisions.

    We could have new leaders in the second tier come full-time, while three clubs are still unbeaten in the league.

    Cheltenham Town, meanwhile, are still seeking their first goal in what will be their 11th game in League One this season.

    Fail to net and lose tonight, and the Robins will set a new unwanted EFL record for the worst scoreless start to a campaign at home.

    Kick-off in most of our games is just 15 minutes away, and we'll keep you up to date with all the action.