The festive period is approaching with a mouth-watering EFL schedule in midweek as all League One and Two sides are set to feature as the 2024/25 season ramps up.
The teams capable of vying for promotion are becoming clearer with each passing game week and this is the area of focus for the midweek round of fixtures.
EFL League One – Birmingham City vs Stockport County
It has been 23 years since these sides last played a competitive fixture against each other but despite two divisions separating them last season, there is just a three-point gap from Birmingham City in third and Stockport County in fourth.
Louie Barry has arguably been the best player across the third and fourth tiers of the EFL and whatever the future might hold for the Aston Villa loanee, he has the opportunity to fire them into the title picture ahead of the transfer window.
Birmingham City have a host of stars in their team but have only picked up one win from their last four league outings. They did pick up a win at Blackpool in the FA Cup at the weekend that highlighted the strength of their squad and despite the dip in form, they are still the clear shout for title winners.
Momentum is with the away side who have lost just one league game on their travels but they may come unstuck against a Blues side who are unbeaten at home and had the luxury of resting their star players at the weekend.
EFL League One – Exeter City vs Wycombe Wanderers
Exeter City are in the middle of a horrible run of form, winning once in their last five League One matches but more concerning is the fact they have scored just a solitary goal in those outings.
However, the run of games they have had is the most difficult spell any side could wish to face and they have the resilience to trouble the league leaders.
Wycombe Wanderers are without a doubt the team to beat at the moment, winning nine and drawing one of their last ten matches in the third tier.
They supplemented their impressive EFL form with an FA Cup win over Wealdstone but face a potential banana skin against an Exeter City side who are unbeaten in four matches in this fixture and won both meetings in 2023/24.
The home team have been notoriously difficult to break down on their own patch but face a real test of that resilience against a Wycombe side that have put three past Lincoln City and five at Stockport County recently.
EFL League Two – Walsall vs Notts County
Walsall have been one of the most exciting teams to watch across the EFL divisions but have now slipped to three draws in their last four League Two outings so will be eager to return to winning ways against a Notts County side that ran out comfortable winners in this fixture last season.
Notts County have had a difficult run themselves but did face some of the top sides in the division in recent weeks. They have some of the most talented players in the fourth tier and are a major threat to any team.
A win here will take them level on points with their opponents and put them firmly in the frame for automatic promotion. They were unlucky to fall to defeat in a thrilling game with Peterborough United in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Walsall have seen 29 goals scored in their opening eight home matches, more than any other side in the division. They suffered a shocking 6-2 defeat to Fleetwood and were held by Bromley last time out.
They can be vulnerable at times and it would not be a major surprise if Notts County were to pick up a result here.