The busy festive period is in full swing and there is a full schedule of EFL fixtures to look forward to over the next two days with each of the 72 sides set to play over the next forty-eight hours.Â
The Deck picks a match from each EFL division to keep an eye on this Sunday with a focus on the managers fighting to steer their sides clear of any potential relegation battle.
EFL League Two – Fleetwood Town vs Harrogate Town
Three points here would be massive for either side with Fleetwood Town set to embark on a new era following the appointment of former Barrow manager Pete Wild after cutting ties with Charlie Adam.
Before the Boxing Day win over Chesterfield, Fleetwood Town had picked up just one win in League Two since a shock 6-2 win at leaders Walsall on the 1st of October. They have a much better squad than their position in the table suggests but the new manager has it all to do with the club eight points from the top seven heading into this round of fixtures.
The Fishermen will fancy their chances against a struggling Harrogate Town who prop up the expected goals table. They also have the second-worst record for expected goals against and are on a run of five consecutive defeats.
Simon Weaver has been in charge for over 13 years and has worked wonders with Harrogate Town but is working with a relatively small squad. They punched above their weight to secure a 13th-place finish in 2023/24 and survival is the only aim this season after a tough start.
They are just four points above Morecambe in 23rd and look to be prime candidates to be involved in a relegation battle. Harrogate Town have some fixtures ahead that they should be targeting points from but are not likely to pick up anything here with Fleetwood Town riding the potential wave of a new manager bounce.
EFL League One – Shrewsbury Town vs Northampton Town
Northampton Town are another team ushering in a new regime with the appointment of former West Ham United idol Kevin Nolan. The 42-year-old had a productive spell in charge of Notts County previously and was assistant manager to David Moyes for over four years at West Ham United.
He may have his work cut out here to stop the rot at Sixfields. They are struggling for goals and creativity while also being too easy to play against. They have conceded 15 goals in their last four outings and there does not appear to be a quick fix with the team just two points clear of the bottom four having played a game more than all of the sides below them.
Wycombe Wanderers legend Gareth Ainsworth has seen the best and worst of this Shrewsbury Town side after six games in charge.
Home wins over Lincoln City and Birmingham have been massive results but heavy defeats to Wycombe and Cambridge United have shown their shortcomings. They are six points adrift of their opponents heading into this one and it would be a remarkable job if they stay in the third tier of the EFL.
There is very little between these two teams but home advantage could be crucial in a must-win game for both sides.
EFL Championship – Oxford United vs Plymouth Argyle
It would be a surprise if both of these teams can retain their place in the Championship but Oxford United have made a potentially shrewd appointment in bringing former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett.
They picked up a huge boost with a Boxing Day win over relegation rivals Cardiff City after racing into a 3-0 lead within an hour. The Deck produced an excellent piece on what he could bring to Oxford United before his appointment and they have given themselves every chance of survival.
The writing has been on the wall for Wayne Rooney at Plymouth Argyle for some time now and they are currently on an eight-game winless run following a heavy defeat at Coventry City.
There are some good players at Home Park, particularly in forward areas but they are poor at the back and have conceded 15 goals in their last five outings. They have won their last four against this weekend’s opponents and the appointment of Mike Phelan to the backroom staff may help steady the ship.
Oxford United are beatable and Plymouth Argyle will be desperate for a win as another heavy defeat will likely see the end of Rooney’s spell in charge.