EFL Weekend: Swansea Host West Ham, Leicester Under Pressure, Tight Promotion Races
A look at the key fixtures and narratives across the EFL this weekend, including a top-of-the-table clash in the Championship and pressure on Leicester City.
Swansea City, leading the Championship, face third-placed West Ham United on Saturday in a highly anticipated match. Swansea have won four consecutive games, while West Ham are the top scorers in the top four tiers with 29 goals in 10 games. However, Swansea boast the division's best defence, conceding only seven. West Ham have trailed in eight of 13 games in all competitions but remain unbeaten away in the league, while Swansea have yet to lose at home, conceding twice in five games.
Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers are surprising contenders in the Championship. Birmingham, fourth after a 4-0 win over Preston, are unbeaten in four games, while QPR, fifth, ended a four-match drawing run with a 4-1 win over Derby. Both have not been in the Premier League since 2009 and 2014 respectively, and Saturday's results could indicate whether they can sustain their promotion pushes.
Leicester City are under pressure as they host Doncaster Rovers. The Foxes have lost three of their past four home league games, conceding nine goals, and sit 17th, one point above the drop zone. Manager Russell Martin said there is "no quick fix" after fans chanted for his dismissal, and midfielder John Lundstram noted the team's anxiety at home. Doncaster have won their past three games without conceding.
In League One, just four points separate the top seven. Leaders Plymouth Argyle host Huddersfield Town, who are three points off the summit after conceding a 98th-minute equaliser to Sheffield Wednesday last time out. Second-placed Bradford City welcome Stevenage, while third-placed Stockport County, Cambridge United and Reading face teams in the bottom six.
In League Two, the top 14 clubs are separated by seven points. Leaders Salford City host bottom club Crawley Town, seeking revenge for last season's goalless draw on the final day that denied them automatic promotion. Second-placed Barnet, unbeaten with games in hand, travel to Tranmere Rovers, while third-placed Crewe Alexandra host Rochdale and fourth-placed Gillingham visit Accrington Stanley.
Image: Shutterstock / BBC Sport
