With two games played, only seven of the 72 EFL clubs have a 100% record – proof, if you ever needed it, of the unpredictability of life outside of the Premier League.
Both the early Championship and League One tables are topped by the only team in each division to have won both games – will those sides keep it going this weekend?
We can’t wait to find out. Here’s our five things to watch for on Matchday 3 in the Championship, League One and League Two.
Friday feeling for Burnley?
Burnley take on Watford on Friday night at 20:00 and have a strong record in games played on this day of the week, winning four of their last six. All four of those victories came in the second tier, and Watford have won just two of their last 14 league games against the Clarets.
A Burnley win is 21/10 on Friday, although these are two teams undergoing rapid change under new managers. The Clarets have shifted to a possession-dominant style under Vincent Kompany, racking up 71% of the ball against Luton last time out but managing just one shot on target. It could be a tight game, and the draw is 11/5.
Brereton Diaz’s Blackburn to beat Baggies?
Blackburn Rovers are the only team in the Championship to have two wins out of two so far – and one of only two teams yet to concede a goal. Rovers have Ben Brereton Diaz fit and firing again, with the Chilean international scoring his first of the season last time out. Can they preserve the Championship’s only 100% record this weekend?
Blackburn face a stiff test in the form of Steve Bruce’s West Brom, who are unbeaten in their last four games against Rovers. Blackburn are 7/4 to make it three wins out of three, which would be their first time doing so to start a season since 1988/89. The Baggies have been obdurate opponents so far, though, drawing both of their games – and a third straight draw is 21/10.
Terriers in need of a turnaround
At the other end of the Championship table, things have started badly for last season’s beaten play-off finalists, Huddersfield. The Terriers are the only side other than Bristol City to have failed to pick up a single point, and sit bottom of the pile having scored just one goal.
Nor will Huddersfield feel relieved to see Stoke arrive in town this weekend: the Terriers have taken just two points in their last five league games against the Potters. A Stoke win is 13/8, and a draw 21/10. Huddersfield’s new boss Danny Schofield needs a win, and it’s 17/10 that they pull one out of the bag against Stoke.
Perfect Posh to keep it going?
Into League One now, and there’s only one team with a perfect record: Grant McCann’s Peterborough. Posh have started the season like a train and have previous at this level: in two of their last four seasons in League One, they’ve started their campaign with three straight wins.
Posh travel to Plymouth this weekend and are 17/10 to maintain their 100% record with another win. It would be their fifth win in their last six visits to Home Park. Peterborough are the top-scorers in League One so far with six goals in their two games, and are 9/2 to score three or more against Plymouth.
Stockport stuttering on league return Stockport County were among the favourites for the League Two title this summer, but their return to the EFL has not gone to plan so far. County have zero points after two games, and their last match saw them hold a 1-0 lead into the 88th minute and still end up with a devastating loss.
It’s not too late for County to get their bid for back-to-back promotions on track, and they are odds-on to get their first win against Colchester on Saturday. However, Colchester are unbeaten in their last 11 Football League matches against County, and are 4/1 to get the win.
