Right, that’s all from me as a typically tasty evening of Football League action comes to a close. Scroll down for all the full-time scores, plus some snap analysis on each division from yours truly, with goal videos from Southampton 2-1 Plymouth and West Brom 1-1 Leeds. Sometimes, all you need on a Friday night, is a 36-game EFL schedule packed with thrills and spills.
I’m back on tomorrow for some Scottish football, but if you don’t join me then, do have a great NYE 2K24. Bye for now!
LDLWLLeeds are struggling a little, guys.
Full-Time: Grady Diangana's goal enough to give West Brom all three points! pic.twitter.com/gVPK8UTgfG
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 29, 2023
Full time: It’s all over, it’s finished West Brom 1-0 Leeds and mark that down as a major dent in the automatic promotion hopes of the Elland Road club. Third place Southampton now have a six-point cushion to fourth and, with Ipswich drawing, are just three points off second.
The Baggies themselves are now firmly established in the playoff places thanks to this victory.
A penny for your thoughts, Leeds fans? Where’s it gone wrong since Christmas?
Updated
There’s still time for Leeds but they’re not exactly showing the requisite composure in their efforts to level this up. At least their fans are making a racket, urging their side on. Dan James wins a corner.
Six added minutes at The Hawthorns. Can Leeds summon something special late on?
It’s finished Ipswich 0-0 QPR in the Championship. Leeds continue to flounder at West Brom but they’re still playing there, as the hosts look to cling onto their 1-0 lead.
Into League Two and Stockport suffered a blip as they were held at Bradford. The Hatters still lead the division by five points, mind you, as Mansfield failed to beat Doncaster and Wrexham were beaten 3-1 by Walsall.
It seems nobody wants to close the gap to the league leaders, as fourth place Barrow also failed to win, but Notts County sealed the performance of the night with a 5-0 demolition job on mid-table Morecambe. Macauley Langstaff bagged a hattrick to continue his astonishing goalscoring form.
Elsewhere, the bottom two Sutton and Forest Green both suffered narrow defeats to stay in the drop zone, but the gap to third-from-bottom Colchester remains at six points as the Essex club lost a thriller at AFC Wimbledon 5-3 after leading 2-1.
The headline in League One tonight is that stunning comeback victory for Derby at fellow high-flyers Oxford. After going 2-0 down early on, Paul Warne’s side somehow roused themselves to claim all three points, keeping alive their hopes of automatic promotion.
They’ll have to get past Bolton, who won again in straightforward fashion at Fleetwood tonight, and Peterborough who dropped two points against fellow playoff challengers Barnsley, who had led 2-0 in the first half. Leaders Portsmouth also drew to keep the top of that league very interesting indeed.
Down towards the bottom and Carlisle’s struggles linger on as they were soundly beaten 2-0 by upwardly-moblile Wigan. The 2-2 draw between Reading and Cheltenham doesn’t really help either side very much.
The general consensus in the Championship seems to be that Leicester will sail quite serenely to the title and an immediate return to the Premier League. On the evidence of tonight’s second gear triumph at Cardiff and a points tally that reads 62 from 25 games, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Southampton might be the closest challengers to second place Ipswich based on recent evidence.
The likes of Hull and Middlesbrough will fancy their chances for the playoffs, albeit they may struggle to go any higher than that, but wins tonight for both clubs will boost confidence going into 2024.
Elsewhere tonight, Sheffield Wednesday got a very welcome away victory to boost their survival chances, while Huddersfield slipped closer to the drop zone and rock-bottom Rotherham got a deserved point against Sunderland.
Played - 25
— Not The Top 20 Pod (@NTT20Pod) December 29, 2023
Won - 20
Drawn - 2
Lost - 3
Goals For - 50
Goals Against - 17
Points - 62
It’s been a year of two halves for Leicester City. 🦊 #LCFC #EFL pic.twitter.com/odigckSAP8
Updated
Right, before I recap all those scores, I’m pivoting to West Brom v Leeds coverage. The visitors are upping the ante a tad, starting to increase the tempo in their salmon pink shirts, with Daniel James, Patrick Bamford and Jaidon Anthony all on as second half subs for Daniel Farke’s side.
League Two full time scores
AFC Wimbledon 5-3 Colchester
Barrow 1-1 Accrington
Bradford 0-0 Stockport
Gillingham 1-0 Sutton
Harrogate 0-2 Tranmere
Mansfield 1-1 Doncaster
MK Dons 2-0 Crawley
Newport 1-1 Crewe
Notts County 5-0 Morecambe
Salford 0-3 Grimsby
Swindon 2-1 Forest Green
Walsall 3-1 Wrexham
Championship full time scores
Birmingham 0-0 Bristol City
Cardiff 0-2 Leicester
Coventry 2-2 Swansea
Huddersfield 1-2 Middlesbrough
Hull 3-2 Blackburn
Millwall 1-0 Norwich
Preston 0-1 Sheffield Weds
Rotherham 1-1 Sunderland
Southampton 2-1 Plymouth
Watford 1-1 Stoke
Ipswich 0-0 QPR and West Brom 1-0 Leeds are still playing.
League One full time scores
Bristol Rovers 2-1 Charlton
Burton 1-0 Shrewsbury
Cheltenham 2-2 Reading
Exeter 0-0 Portsmouth
Fleetwood 0-2 Bolton
Leyton Orient 0-0 Wycombe
Lincoln 1-2 Northampton
Oxford 2-3 Derby
Peterborough 2-2 Barnsley
Port Vale 3-0 Blackpool
Wigan 2-0 Carlisle
Stevenage v Cambridge was postponed due to a power failure.
Bristol Rovers might have nicked the win in added time against Charlton. Chris Martin got the goal. The Gas are in Paradise!
GOAL! Coventry 2-2 Swansea (Cullen)
Have Swansea nabbed a point late on against Coventry?
Liam Cullen has scored a fine free-kick in added time to level things up! It’s a low, arrowing effort from 20 yards that sends the visiting fans into raptures.
Updated
Some full-time scores are now starting to drop around the grounds. As before, I’ll recap it all when they’ve all wrapped up.
A couple of late red cards in the Championship and two Georges have received their marching orders: Milwall’s Saville is off and so is Byers of Sheffield Wednesday. Both for dangerous tackles, by the looks of things.
Can Norwich and/or Preston capitalise against 10 men? Both trail 1-0 going into the final furlong.
Wrexham are done and dusted. Walsall now lead 3-1 in the west midlands and it’s a first defeat in four games for the Welsh team.
Derby have done it! They’ve turned it around at Oxford, as Eiran Cashin scores to cue bedlam in the away section at the Kassam Stadium. Paul Warne’s men lead 3-2. Incredible scenes.
Also in League One: Bolton now seem assured of the points at Fleetwood, they’re leading 2-0 in the latter stages, while Charlton have levelled at Bristol Rovers; 1-1 there.
Updated
GOAL! Huddersfield 1-2 Middlesbrough (Howson)
“A very iffy penalty, I’d be sick as a parrott,” says Neil Warnock on Sky Sports as Middlesbrough are given a soft spot-kick at Huddersfield. But it matters not as Jonny Howson’s kick from 12 yards is saved by Jacob Chapman!
But seconds later, Howson scores. Not from the rebound but from a Matt Clarke knock-down. A fine volley from Howson. Talk about making instant amends!
Updated
A big goal for Derby in League One. They’re level at Oxford after going 2-0 down early on, with substitute Liam Thompson rounding off a good move with a back post header to set up a grandstand finish.
It’s 2-2 now between two of League One’s more exciting outfits.
Bradford v Stockport seemed to be a game to whet the appetite when scanning up and down tonight’s League Two fixtures before the games started. A behemoth clash between two of the fourth tier’s big-hitters, both in tremendous form of late, with Stockport top and Bradford rapidly improving under Graham Alexander to push into the playoff positions.
It’s completely predictable, then, that it’s been largely uneventful and goalless after almost 80 minutes at Valley Parade. Never assume, eh.
The teams are back on the pitch at The Hawthorns, with in-form Leeds trying to haul West Brom back in.
It’s shaping up to be a good night for Southampton if the scores remain like this.
A red card for Blackburn, who don’t look like getting a third to equalise at Hull. Dominic Hyam is off for an obvious second yellow.
Hull en route to a first win in three, to reignite their promotion hopes?
GOAL! Rotherham 1-1 Sunderland (Clarke)
Parity for Sunderland. Going 1-0 down seemed to be a shot in the arm the Black Cats needed, although this is a fortuitous strike, which might go down in Jack Clarke’s name but took a quite wicked deflection over the Millers’ defence and into the net.
Updated
More League Two goals to bring you.
AFC Wimbledon now have a two-goal advantage on Colchester, leading 4-2. Grimsby are 2-0 up at managerless Salford, Tranmere 2-0 up at struggling Harrogate, while Accrington have equalised against Barrow; 1-1. Forest Green are level at 1-1 against Swindon.
Updated
Half time: West Brom 1-0 Leeds.
An update from Ipswich, with the game now back under way after a delay:
The players have emerged from the tunnel and will warm up for six minutes before the start of the second half.
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) December 29, 2023
The paramedics have assisted the supporter in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and our thoughts are with everyone involved.#itfc
GOAL! Coventry 2-1 Swansea (Simms)
A second goal for Coventry and it’s former Everton frontman Ellis Simms. They’ve bounced back from an early goal down to clinch the lead.
Updated
GOAL! Hull 3-2 Blackburn (Jones)
It’s very scrappy but Hull have the lead against Blackburn, via Alfie Jones. Can they hold onto it? Given the Harum Scarum nature of this game, possibly not.
League One: James Wilson doubles Port Vale’s lead against Blackpool. The visitors aren’t setting things alight there. (Sorry). Lincoln pull a goal back against Northampton, making it 2-1, while in League Two Walsall have restored their lead against Wrexham; also 2-1, and Newport have levelled against Crewe through Will Evans.
Updated
GOAL! Huddersfield 1-1 Middlesbrough (Helik)
The Terriers are back on level terms and it’s a fine finish from Michael Helik that prompts wild celebrations from the home fans. A centre forward’s goal for the centre back.
Ipswich v QPR hasn’t restarted yet due to a medical emergency in the crowd at Portman Road. Let’s hope everything is ok there.
GOAL! Cardiff 0-2 Leicester (Justin)
That’s an absolute peach from James Justin, to double the Foxes’ lead in the Welsh capital. A dipping, curling, dropping effort from all of 25 yards.
Points in the bag? Probably.
Some St Mary’s reading from earlier here:
Updated
GOAL! Huddersfield 0-1 Middlesbrough (Coburn)
Michael Carrick introduced his only fit striker, Josh Coburn, on 49 minutes and within five minutes he is instantly rewarded! Boro have been turning the screw since the restart and now they have the lead they were craving.
The League Two goals are flying in!
Barrow 1-0 Accrington (Ben Whitefield)
Swindon 1-0 Forest Green (Daniel Kemp)
Wimbledon 3-2 Colchester (Josh Davison)
Harrogate 0-1 Tranmere (Charlie Jolley)
Full time: Wigan 2-0 Carlisle and the end of a very straightforward evening for the Latics, who can edge a little further away from the League One relegation zone.
League One: Peterborough have pulled it right back against Barnsley! Jonson Clarke-Harris has scored either side of half-time at London Road to make it 2-2.
League Two: Notts County go on their merry old way against poor old Morecambe. It’s now 5-0 at Meadow Lane. Stop the count!
GOAL! West Brom 1-0 Leeds (Diangana)
Grady Diangana clinches the lead for the Baggies, breaking the deadlock in a tight contest with Leeds. It’s pinball, it’s a ricochet, but West Brom won’t care very much.
Updated
GOAL! Rotherham 1-0 Sunderland (Clucas)
Sam Clucas piles on the misery for Michael Beale. The Championship’s bottom side lead, against the run of play and many people’s pre-match predictions.
Updated
Ok, I’ve got my brew, so let’s go again. Some of the games have restarted; others haven’t yet. You know the score. Let’s sink our teeth into some second half action.
Mark this one down as miss of the evening, from Middlesbrough’s Isiah Jones.
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/uBapgF23k2
— Dom Howson (@domhowson) December 29, 2023
Updated
Phew, I’m grabbing five minutes after all that excitement. West Brom have just gone very close against Leeds, with Djed Spence clearing off the line.
More updates coming.
Half time scores
Championship: Birmingham 0-0 Bristol City, Cardiff 0-1 Leicester, Coventry 1-1 Swansea, Huddersfield 0-0 Boro, Hull 2-2 Blackburn, Ipswich 0-0 QPR, Millwall 1-0 Norwich, Preston 0-1 Sheff Weds, Rotherham 0-0 Sunderland, Watford 1-1 Stoke – a goal late in the first half at Hull for Blackburn’s Harry Pickering.
League One: Bristol Rovers 0-0 Chalrton, Burton 1-0 Shrewsbury, Cheltenham 2-2 Reading, Exeter 0-0 Portsmouth, Leyton Orient 0-0 Wycombe, Fleetwood 0-0 Bolton, Oxford 2-1 Derby, Peterborough 1-2 Barnsley, Port Vale 1-0 Blackpool.
League Two: Barrow 0-0 Accrington, Bradford 0-0 Stockport, Gillingham 0-0 Sutton, Mansfield 1-0 Doncaster, MK Dons 1-0 Crawley, Newport 0-0 Crewe, Notts County 4-0 Morecambe, Salford 0-1 Grimsby, Swindon 0-0 Forest Green, Walsall 1-1 Wrexham, Wimbledon 2-2 Colchester.
We’re nearing half-time now in most of these 7.45pm kick-offs. There’s been no shortage of goals, that’s for sure. I’ll round up all three EFL divisions when the whistles are sounded; the exceptions are Wigan 2-0 Carlisle where they have played around 70 minutes, while West Brom 0-0 Leeds is only 15 minutes old.
Nobody has fired for Blackpool in their game at Port Vale in League One as they trail 1-0 to Ben Garrity’s goal. Let’s hope the visitors can catch flames at some stage, or maybe the hosts will continue to tower over the Tangerines.
More tower/fire related puns are very welcome on email.
Updated
Notts County 4-0 Morecambe. After 36 minutes. Macaulay Langstaff has bagged a hattrick. My god.
Updated
GOAL! Hull 2-1 Blackburn (Szmodics)
Hope for Blackburn, as Sam Szmodics pulls one back on Humberside. A really entertaining opening to that encounter. Both defences are, in truth, creaking.
Game off: Stevenage v Cambridge, due to power issues at the Lamex Stadium.
Unfortunately, tonight’s game has been cancelled due to circumstances outside of our control.
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) December 29, 2023
If you’re inside the stadium, please exit carefully due to congestion & lack of lighting outside.
More details to follow.
GOAL! Watford 1-1 Stoke (Mmaee)
The superbly-named Ryan Mmaee guides home for Steven Schumacher’s side at Watford and the Potters have a deserved leveller. Game on in Hertfordshire!
Updated
What are Peterborough playing at tonight? Unbeaten in eight games in all competitions before this evening, but they trail 2-0 at home to fellow play-off pushers Barnsley, who have Devante Cole on the scoresheet.
Some League One goal updates:
Lincoln 0-1 Northampton (Jon Guthrie)
Cheltenham 1-0 Reading (Liam Sercombe)
In the Championship, West Brom v Leeds is under way,
GOAL! Preston 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday (Johnson)
A superb Wednesday counterattack brings the opening goal at Deepdale for left-back Marvin Johnson. How did he get there? Owls fans will not care a bit.
A few League Two goals to report:
Mansfield 1-0 Doncaster, with Callum Johnson opening the scoring. Wrexham are level at 1-1 against Walsall through Paul Mullin’s penalty, while Notts County extend their advantage to 3-0 inside 25 minutes over Morecambe, as Dan Crowley finds the net. And Colchester now lead 2-1 at Wimbledon thanks to Joe Taylor.
Updated
It sounds like Rotherham v Sunderland is a real thrill-a-minute rollercoaster. 0-0 there.
First shot of the game as Neil drives wide from long range. It has been a dreadful game so far, to be honest.
— Phil Smith (@Phil__Smith) December 29, 2023
GOAL! Cardiff 0-1 Leicester (Dewsbury-Hall)
I was about to write about the lack of action at Cardiff City Stadium, which would have suited the Bluebirds down to the ground … except Leicester have just broken the deadlock through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. He silences the Welsh crowd to give the league leaders the lead.
Updated
GOAL! Millwall 1-0 Norwich (Bradshaw)
Bradshaw on target for the Lions against the Canaries. You’d expect a mauling in that duel of animals really, wouldn’t you?
Updated
GOAL! Hull 2-0 Blackburn (Connolly)
A cute finish from Aaron Connolly and the Tigers are in dreamland!
Updated
League Two: Hollywood faves Wrexham are 1-0 down away at mid-table Walsall, while in League One Burton lead Shrewsbury 1-0 through Beryly Lubala.
GOAL! Watford 1-0 Stoke (Livermore)
I’d completely forgotten Jake Livermore played for Watford. I’m sorry. He just doesn’t seem very Watfordy. Anyway, he’s scored at Vicarage Road, bundling in from a corner.
Updated
League One: It’s Cameron Brannagan at the double for Oxford. They’re 2-0 up inside 13 minutes at home to hitheto in-form Derby.
GOAL! Hull 1-0 Blackburn (Delap)
What a brilliant solo goal from Man City loanee Liam Delap this is. He runs, he runs, he holds off his markers and he cuts in to score on his left foot.
The Tigers need a win tonight; both they and Blackburn have been in horrid form of late.
League One high-flyers Peterborough are down early on to Barnsley, with Herbie Kane catching the Posh defence napping.
In League Two, Wimbledon and Colchester have both scored early on, it’s 1-1 there, while Notts County have the lead against Morecambe.
Updated
GOAL! Coventry 1-1 Swansea (Wright)
Well that didn’t last long for Swansea, did it? Haji Wright levels almost immediately for the Sky Blues.
Full time: It’s now 17 matches unbeaten for Southampton, four wins on the spin, and this late Plymouth goal was a mere consolation in the end.
Russell Martin is really building something special with the Saints, isn’t he? Southampton will feel automatic promotion is within their grasp.
"Calamitous for Southampton!" 🤯
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 29, 2023
Hardie capitalises and pulls one back for Plymouth! pic.twitter.com/oMswbUQOjg
GOAL! Coventry 0-1 Swansea (Walsh)
Swansea have been in pretty rotten form of late, hammered by Southampton on Boxing Day, but they’ve gone ahead early doors at Coventry, a nice win-and-finish from Liam Walsh. That’s his first goal for the Swans, and it comes against his old side.
Half time: Wigan 2-0 Carlisle.
GOAL! Southampton 2-1 Plymouth (Hardie)
Oh Gavin Bazunu has had an absolute shocker here! He’s charged down by Ryan Hardie and Plymouth have some late, late hope at St Mary’s.
Updated
League One: It’s a dream start for Oxford in their clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Derby, as Mark Harris wins an early penalty and it’s slotted home by Cameron Brannagan.
In League Two, Joe Tomlinson has scored early on for MK Dons against Crawley.
Not all games have kicked off, pardon me. Stevenage v Cambridge is a delayed kick-off due a power failure. By all accounts, things should be under way quite soon.
KICK OFF
The 7.45pm games are now under way and I’m in for a busy couple of hours.
Take a bow, Middlesbrough fans. That’s a very strong away following for Michael Carrick’s side away at Huddersfield, as two injury-ravaged sides lock horns. The home side are without 11 players; Boro nine.
The #Boro end pic.twitter.com/eh57msW6se
— Dominic Shaw (@DomShawEcho) December 29, 2023
League One: Liam Morrison has put Wigan 2-0 up against Carlisle and Shaun Maloney’s boys are having a party. Albeit a very cold party at a very cold DW Stadium.
Updated
Birmingham v Bristol City holds plenty of intrigue this evening, given both sides’ fortunes under new managers in the past few weeks. Blues have won just two of their past 13 matches under Wayne Rooney, cap and beard an’ all. Liam Manning, meanwhile, has overseen a dramatic improvement at the Robins, who have won their past three.
Defeat for Roo’s crew at St Andrew’s may prompt the boos.
Southampton = good. The fact Russell Martin is able to chuck on Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Fraser and Joe Aribo as a triple change when his side are 2-0 up and cruising feels like a proper alpha power move in Championship terms. Mason Holgate and Jack Stephens are his reserve defensive duo tonight, for goodness sake.
If they see this out, as they should, Ipswich will be feeling the heat in that second automatic promotion slot. The Tractor Boys will need to beat QPR to alleviate the pressure building from the marching Saints.
League One: Wigan are 1-0 up on Carlisle thanks to Josh Magennis’s 16th minute penalty. The Latics have had eight shots on goal inside the first 25 minutes. More misery for the rock-bottom Cumbrian outfit.
That’s a cracking pass from on-loan Manchester City defender Harwood-Bellis, to make the Adams goal.
Che Adams doubles Saints' advantage! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ynoh0yIR8v
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 29, 2023
GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Plymouth (Adams)
Of course, it’s Che Adams! Are you watching Tony Hughes?
Saints could be home and hosed here, and it’s largely deserved – although replays suggest Plymouth should really have had the opener before that Alcaraz strike, with Bali Mumba heading in but wrongly flagged offside.
Updated
Here’s your West Brom v Leeds team news. I’m looking forward to this one. Two strong sides who still harbour hopes of automatic promotion this season:
West Brom: Palmer; Furlong, Kipre, Ajayi, Townsend; Molumby, Yokuslu, Mowatt; Wallace, Thomas-Asante, Diangana.
Leeds: Darlow; Spence, Rodon, Cooper, Byram; Ampadu, Gruev; Gnonto, Piroe, Summerville; Rutter.
Stunner. Take a bow.
Alcaraz curls home a BEAUTY! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/EJrOkLdQOI
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 29, 2023
GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Plymouth (Alcaraz)
And just like that, Southampton find a way through! Although it’s come from a defensive midfielder in Carlos Alcaraz. Insert tennis joke about hitting it into the net … Samuel Edozie set up the Argentine.
As Southampton continue to labour against Plymouth (goalless still, after 53 minutes), a frustrated Tony Hughes emails in with a slightly different perspective on Saints’ frontline.
Che Adams. As a Scotsman, I’ve wanted him to do well for club and country but he just doesn’t score enough goals as a striker, even in the Championship. Nevertheless such is the shortage of Scottish striking talent that he’ll likely be on the plane as backup to Lyndon Dykes, who Stevie Clarke seems to prefer yet whose stats aren’t much better than Che’s. If Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes declare for Scotland then great, but they still won’t have a prolific striker to cross the ball to.
Does everyone who plays for Leeds have to be a descendent of someone else who also played for Leeds?
Official team news from The Hawthorns soon.
Charlie Cresswell with the #LUFC squad tonight. Remains to be seen who he replaces in Farke’s matchday squad.
— Joe Donnohue (@JoeDonnohue) December 29, 2023
Listen to the latest episode of Football Weekly while you’re waiting for the 7.45pms to get going.
This email from Peter Oh was given the superb subject line “In the bleak midwinter” …
The Wigan v Carlisle match features a delightful-sounding goalkeeper clash between Tickle and Breeze. In this season of frosty blasts of arctic air, the men between the sticks give us hope that spring may not be too far off.
Half time: Southampton 0-0 Plymouth.
Wigan v Carlisle is about to kick off.
Team news from West Brom v Leeds will land at around 7.15pm, UK time.
Team news
I can’t possibly run through the team news for 36 games and 72 teams, but here’s a run-down of the headlines:
The fact Leicester are able to name Conor Coady and Ricardo Pereira on their bench for their game at Cardiff speaks volumes about their strength in depth. A midfield of Harry Winks, Wilfred Ndidi and Hamza Choudhury looks strong. Aaron Ramsey is still missing through injury for the Bluebirds.
Ipswich will expect to beat QPR and recall Brandon Williams to their starting defence, with Freddie Ladapo also in from the start. Wes Burns misses out.
League One leaders Portsmouth make two changes to their side for their trip to Exeter as Yanic Wildschut misses out for the hosts through injury.
Paul Mullin returns to the Wrexham starting lineup as they face Walsall in League Two, while Stockport’s side to take on Bradford includes former Manchester United man Nick Powell; 16-year-old Joe Hillary is named among their subs.
Updated
It’s goalless at St Mary’s as we head towards half-time. Russell Martin’s side have won their past three matches by a 10-0 aggregate scoreline of 10-0 and they’re unbeaten in 16 games. They’ve knocked on the Argyle door without success so far.
“A Coastal Clam Bake” is the suggestion from Chris Taberner on the right moniker for Southampton v Plymouth.
I’m finding that a little disturbing if I’m honest, Chris. Not sure why.
Wigan v Carlisle gets under way at 7pm and here are your obligatory team news graphics. 4/10 for the Latics; 6/10 for the visitors, in my book. You gotta have squad numbers on there.
Your final Tics line-up of 2023. ✊
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) December 29, 2023
Behind you all the way, lads! 💙#wafc 🔵⚪️
Your team for tonight's game against @LaticsOfficial sponsored by @StanwixPark 👇
— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) December 29, 2023
Watch live 👉 https://t.co/J0isTr086l pic.twitter.com/cDwWEofHKi
Bradford City’s Valley Parade pitch has passed an inspection by referee Lewis Smith and the Bantams’ clash with Stockport will proceed at 7.45pm as slated. It looks a little wet, but certainly playable.
✅ | Game ON! #BCAFC pic.twitter.com/ZcbdeLMS3M
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) December 29, 2023
Southampton versus Plymouth is by no means a south coast derby, and I’m not about to call it one. But what’s the alternative? A martime meeting? A seafaring skirmish? Answers on a postcard or an email please.
Anyway, the in-form Saints have been bossing the early stages, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis nodding off the woodwork. Managerless Plymouth would take a point in this one, you feel.
Some cracking EFL reading here, as our very own Ben Fisher makes some bold accurate predictions about the stars of 2024 away from the top 20.
Preamble
Good evening and greetings of the season to you. It’s that weird period between Christmas and New Year and that means only one thing – the football never stops! No Premier League action tonight, but good heavens there’s a stacked schedule of EFL action to keep you satisfied, with all 24 Championship teams in action, starting with Southampton v Plymouth, which has not long kicked off. Cardiff v Leicester and West Brom v Leeds are also pretty tasty encounters to keep an eye on.
League One and League Two also have full schedules tonight, with all games – bar Wigan v Carlisle (7pm) – getting under way at 7.45pm. Bradford v Stockport is a bit of a clash of the titans given the size of the two fanbases and both teams’ impressive form.
I’ll be here to keep you across Southampton v Plymouth for the time being, then I’ll bring you as much team news as I can muster, before updates from across the country. Festive football for the win.
