Key events
The first goal of the afternoon has been scored by Shrewsbury at Accrington in League Two. Can the Shrews, previously beleaguered, make it four wins on the bounce?
It’s KICK OFF time around the various grounds.
James Milner is starting for Brighton at Brentford and officially becomes the Premier League’s record appearance-maker, now leaving Gareth Barry in his wake. It’s also his first start of 2026.
Four games are already under way in the Bundesliga, by the way, having kicked off at 2.30pm GMT. And Bayern Munich have raced into a 2-0 lead at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, with Harry Kane inevitably among the scorers.
The only other goal scored in Germany so far has been by Ragnar Ache of FC Köln and I’ve been told it’s an absolute scorcher. And do use those words.
Right, I’m going to grab a quick cuppa and prepare myself for the post-3pm madness … feel free to do the same.
I think Plymouth are proof that you don’t have to sack your manager to turn your fortunes around. Plenty were calling for Tom Cleverley’s head after a run of one win in nine games across October and November saw the Green Army sink towards the relegation places, but Argyle stuck by their man and they’ve risen dramatically up the League One table since December, losing just three of their 16 matches in all competitions.
Fair play to TClevz and the gang. They are now just three points off the playoffs.
A preview of today’s action north of the border comes via email correspondent Simon McMahon:
Afternoon Dom! Heading to Tannadice today to see Dundee United take on Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier. United have been wildly inconsistent all season but have won their last two, a fine 3-2 league win at Falkirk last Saturday followed by a 2-1 win at home to Spartans in the Scottish Cup in midweek. Top six remains unlikely for United, but three points today would take Jim Goodwin’s men 11 points clear of their visitors and, assuming Falkirk lose at leaders Hearts, within eight of the Bairns in sixth, but with two games in hand. So all to play for. Come on United!
Full time scores in early EFL 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 draw Stoke level 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 side.
What a goal from teenage Aussie winger Daniel Bennie for QPR! A stunner from 20 yards or more has stolen the lead for the Rs at Hull. You probably have to consider Julien Stéphan’s men among the (many) playoff contenders if they see that 201 scoreline through.
Looking back on that Premier League team news… there’s some serious strength in depth in the division these days isn’t there? You’ve got Tammy Abraham and Jadon Sancho – who have both been leading goal scorers/makers in other top European leagues – on the bench at Villa.
On the opposite bench at Villa Park sit Daniel James and Willy Gnonto, two livewire wingers who have been highly rated in their time. And I personally think Ao Tanaka is one of the most underrated midfielders in the league.
A big goal for Leicester and Gary Rowett in his first game in charge! Harry Winks has made it 2-1 at Stoke. That means West Brom drop into the bottom three…
At The Hawthorns, the home fans chant: “Eric Ramsay, your football is sh*t.”
“We’re top of the league,” is the response from the Coventry contingent.
Leicester, who have got themselves back on level terms at Stoke via Manchester City loaneee Divine Mukasa, may now be eyeing all three points at the bet365 Stadium. 1-1 there.
There haven’t been loads of goals in the second half of these EFL games, though Crewe leading 2-1 at high-flying Swindon in League Two is a bit of a surprise.
Chelsea v Burnley team news
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 team news
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 team news
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, here comes the Premier League team news …
There are swathes of empty seats at The Hawthorns today. Clearly the West Brom faithful are voting with their feet as the club slides into the relegation mire. It hasn’t gone to plan under Eric Ramsay since the former Manchester United coach arrived from MLS … Coventry look comfortable at the moment.
Let’s have a look ahead to the Premier League weekend. Team news for the 3pm games will be dropping in 15 minutes or so.
Half-time scores in the EFL early 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 last time I checked, just before the half hour mark. Then the following happened:
28 mins – Lorent Tolaj makes it 1-0 Plymouth
31 mins – Aribim Pepple doubles the hosts’ lead
33 mins – 2-1 as Omari Kellyman reduces the deficit
34 mins – Pepple scores again for 3-1
43 mins – Kellyman scores again, 3-2
Football!
Blackburn’s win over Preston last night means they’ve now gone on a spurt of three wins in four games, a much-needed new manager bounce under Michael O’Neill. It also means, with Portsmouth in decent form themselves – they’ve only lost two of their past seven – that one of Leicester or West Brom looks likely to drop into League One.
Oxford are second bottom but not completely out of the hunt for survival, though they have a tough task today away at Middlesbrough. Pompey also have their work cut away, away at Millwall.
As for Sheffield Wednesday, their fate could be sealed as early as tomorrow against their bitter city rivals. It’s been an annus horribilis for the Owls.
Current scores in 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 games – a dream start for Frank Lampard’s table-topping Cov! Goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni will be putting the Sky Blues four points clear as it stands.
Preamble
Right, we’re starting a bit early on today’s clockwatch to cover the intriguing EFL lunchtime games, which include leaders Coventry away at midlands rivals West Brom. It’s hard to believe the Baggies and Leicester are now among this season’s relegation contenders; the Foxes are currently away at Stoke, by the way.
The Premier League stuff begins later on with a trio of matches – Aston Villa v Leeds is surely the standout. Can Villa keep their feint title hopes alive, or at least keep the chasing top four/five pack at bay with a win? Or will Daniel Farke’s side continue their march away from trouble? There’s also Chelsea v Burnley and Brentford v Brighton. There’s also a full schedule of fixtures in League One, League Two and the National League. And in Scotland, Hearts must see off Falkirk to keep their noses in front in the title race, with Rangers and Celtic lurking.
Let’s get cracking, shall we? It should be a brilliant day of football – remember to drop me an email or a message on Bluesky to keep the chat going through the day.
