Summary

  • Get involved #bbcefl

  • Ipswich come from two goals down to draw 2-2 and deny Wayne Rooney his first win as Birmingham manager

  • Southampton score last minute winner to defeat managerless Millwall

  • Plymouth and Middlesbrough share the spoils in six-goal 3-3 thriller

  • Marti Cifuentes’ first game in charge of QPR ends in a 1-1 draw with Rotherham

  • Bottom of the table 10-man Sheffield Wednesday lose 1-0 at managerless Bristol City

  1. Horsham stun Tykes as Saddlers subdue Sheppeypublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    Media caption,

    FA Cup highlights: Barnsley 3-3 Horsham

    The FA Cup first round got under way last night with two cracking ties.

    Seventh-tier Horsham twice battled back from behind to draw 3-3 with League One Barnsley and earn themselves a replay.

    Eighth-tier Sheppey also looked like they might pull off a shock result when they took the lead against League Two Walsall but the Saddlers fought back to claim a 4-1 win.

    We've got live text action of today's 33 ties over here if that's your bag.

  2. Elsewhere in the Championshippublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    Sunderland boss Tony MowbrayImage source, Rex Features

    Huddersfield are looking to bounce back after shipping four goals in both of their past two games. The Terriers start the day five points above the relegation zone but have won just one of their past eight matches. Upwardly mobile Watford have taken eight points from their past four games to move away from trouble.

    Middlesbrough make their second trip to Devon this week after beating Exeter 3-2 in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Boro's surge up the table was halted by a home reverse by Stoke last week but they'll hope to get back on track today at a ground they haven't lost at since 1964. That said, 12 of Plymouth's 15 points so far this season have come at home.

    Preston's good start to the campaign feels like a long time ago now as they're without a win since 19 September. Remarkably they're still ninth in a congested Championship table. Last season's beaten play-off finalists Coventry have not got going at all yet this season and have NEVER won at Deepdale in 21 attempts.

    Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe... not so good for Sunderland. The Black Cats have won seven of their 14 matches so far this season but they've also lost six. They travel to a Swansea side who claimed a decent 1-0 win at Blackburn last time out.

  3. Battle at the bottom as beleaguered R's visit Rotherhampublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    Rotherham v QPR (15:00 GMT)

    It's been QUITE the week for struggling QPR.

    Club legend Gareth Ainsworth was sacked as manager last Saturday evening after their 2-1 home defeat by league leaders Leicester.

    The R's appointed Spanish boss Marti Cifuentes to try and get them out of trouble on Monday and on Wednesday chairman Amit Bhatia stepped down.

    On the pitch, the west London side are looking to halt a run of six straight losses.

    They face a trip to fellow bottom three dwellers Rotherham, who will be hurting after their 2-0 defeat at bottom side Sheffield Wednesday last Sunday.

    Boss Matt Taylor described his players as "fragile" after that loss and he'll want to see more steel from them today.

  4. Managerless Robins look to stop Rohl getting Owls rockingpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    Bristol City v Sheff Wed (15:00 GMT)

    Inside Ashton Gate before kick-offImage source, Rex Features

    You feel like both sets of fans here are just happy to have a game to concentrate on.

    Bristol City sacked boss Nigel Pearson last Saturday after a 2-0 defeat against rivals Cardiff.

    Chief executive Steve Lansdown said the decision, which was not widely supported by fans, was because the team were not "doing as well as hoped".

    Former assistant Curtis Fleming is in caretaker charge today.

    As for Sheffield Wednesday, well, it's hard to know where to begin.

    The Owls got their belated first win of the season against South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham on Sunday to give them hope of at least mounting some sort of survival fight under new boss Danny Rohl.

    However, chairman Dejphon Chansiri then derailed things somewhat by saying a "cashflow" problem meant they might require financial support from fans to pay wages and an outstanding HMRC bill.

    This was sorted 24 hours later but will have done nothing to allay fans' fear about the state of the club behind the scenes.

  5. Two resurgent teams looking to keep momentumpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    Stoke v Cardiff (15:00 GMT)

    How about those Potters, they are on a sneaky good run of three games unbeaten in the Championship after struggling for consistency and results through September.

    The Stoke City captain Josh Laurent said midweek how their recent form was “huge” for their belief that they could get promoted this season.

    His side will be the underdogs today but a win could move within an inch of the play-off spots.

    Meanwhile, Cardiff City have been equally impressive and launched themselves into the top six with back-to-back wins and a pair of clean sheets.

    The Bluebirds are a bit of a surprise package so far this season and have been quietly going about their business under boss Erol Bulut and three points today could send them up to fourth.

    We’re looking forward to this one at the bet365 Stadium.

  6. The Den awaits in-form Saintspublished at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    Millwall v Southampton (15:00 GMT)

    Managerless Millwall are struggling and have been slowly sliding in the wrong direction down the Championship table.

    Since Gary Rowett left by mutual consent last month the Lions have managed to claim two points from three games and sit uncomfortably in 18th.

    Ex-Southampton boss Nathan Jones looks favourite to take over and it would have been pretty interesting if he had been appointed ahead of todays match, but maybe he’ll be in the stands to watch his old and possibly new team today.

    Saints on the other hand are in good form under Russell Martin who has them on a six game unbeaten and fourth in the division, after a shaky September.

    He said yesterday how his side were still “hunting” the top Championship teams but that he expected a tough outing at The Den.

    On paper, it’s advantage to the visitors.

  7. Baggies and Tigers on the uppublished at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    West Brom v Hull City (15:00 GMT)

    Hull City boss Liam RoseniorImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Hull City boss Liam Rosenior is looking to become the first Tigers gaffer to win at West Brom since Phil Brown in 2008

    The Hawthorns has not been a happy hunting ground for Hull City in recent times.

    West Brom have won the past six times they've hosted the Tigers, dating back to 2008.

    Liam Rosenior's men arrive in the Black Country today in good nick though with back-to-back wins moving them up to seventh.

    The fifth-placed Baggies are in good shape too and also come into this game on the back of successive wins.

    Carlos Corberan's side have also kept clean sheets in their past four home matches.

  8. Can Blues avoid getting steamrolled by Tractor Boys?published at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    Birmingham v Ipswich (15:00 GMT)

    Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKennaImage source, Rex Features

    It is safe to say that the Wayne Rooney era at Birmingham is not going to plan.

    They have lost all three of their Championship matches since he was given the keys to St. Andrew’s and been outscored 6-1 in the process.

    It’s a bad look for the Blues’ American owners who binned off John Eustace to get Rooney despite the club being sixth in the division and on a two game unbeaten run.

    Now they are 14th and on a three game skid.

    Ipswich, meanwhile, haven’t lost in nine games and have shown their ability to score freely when they feel like it.

    The Tractor Boys haven’t lost away from home either so far this Championship season so Birmingham are going to have their work cut out for them.

  9. Today's Championship fixturespublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    All games kick off at 15:00 GMT

    Southampton boss Russell MartinImage source, Rex Features
    • Birmingham City v Ipswich Town
    • Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
    • Huddersfield Town v Watford
    • Millwall v Southampton
    • Plymouth Argyle v Middlesbrough
    • Preston North End v Coventry City
    • Rotherham United v Queens Park Rangers
    • Stoke City v Cardiff City
    • Swansea City v Sunderland
    • West Bromwich Albion v Hull City
  10. Rutter foils runaway Foxespublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    FT: Leicester 0-1 Leeds

    Leeds striker Giorginio RutterImage source, Rex Features

    The EFL weekend action for under way yesterday evening with league leaders Leicester City hosting third-placed Leeds.

    The Foxes were looking to extend their lead over the chasing pack to a remarkable 17 points and secure a club-record 10th successive league win.

    Leeds had other plans though and Giorginio Rutter's second half goal saw them take the points back up to West Yorkshire after a pulsating clash.

    Second-placed Ipswich are now six points clear of the Whites but do have two games in hand on Daniel Farke's men.

  11. Hello and welcomepublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2023

    #bbcefl

    Sunderland fans outside Swansea City Stadium.Image source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    The cold and wet weather truly arrived this week but that won't stop EFL fans wrapping-up warm and turning out to support their team

    Hello football fans and welcome along to another afternoon of EFL action.

    How about Leeds last night, handing Championship leaders Leicester only their second loss of the season.

    How much motivation is that going to give the likes of Ipswich and Southampton who lead the chasing pack?

    At the other end of the table who will win the battle of the basement teams when Rotherham host QPR?

    Stick around to find out, we will have all the important updates for you right here on this Championship Saturday.