EFL weekend preview: Can Burnley break their Turf Moor curse? Michael Duff’s big reunion and more

October 30, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

With Halloween just around the corner, will this weekend prove to be a trick or treat for EFL clubs as all three divisions prepare for a full slate of action?

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Tables are quickly beginning to take shape as we pass the quarter-way mark of the season, with teams eager to add points on the board with a second international break and FA Cup weekend on the horizon.

Ahead of the latest EFL round, we highlight a selection of standout fixtures to stay across this weekend.

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Burnley vs Portsmouth

18th October 2025. That is the last time Burnley won a league match at Turf Moor – a 2-0 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League.

The home game against Portsmouth comes 378 days later, eclipsing Sheffield Wednesday’s run between April 2025 and May 2026 as a new unwanted English football record.

Of the 21 league games, 15 came in the top flight, but the wait for a win on home soil was perhaps not expected to extend so long into life back in the second tier.

Two credible draws with West Ham United and Middlesbrough have been followed by four consecutive games where they have let a lead slip – three of which with injury-time goals conceded.

Nicky Hayen ultimately paid the price for Burnley staring down the barrel of potentially becoming the third side to experience a double relegation in a row, with ex-Basel boss Fabio Celestini the man tasked with reversing their fortunes.

And what better way to endear yourself to your new fans than masterminding a first home win in more than a year.

Portsmouth are the opposition and they make the journey north full of confidence as one of the in-form outfits in the league and potential surprise package, currently sat 11th and just two points outside the play-offs.

Following a disappointing defeat in the South Coast derby against Southampton just a few weeks ago, John Mousinho’s side are unbeaten in their last four matches – winning three – and will be hoping to extend that run, creating significant breathing space between themselves and the bottom three at this stage of the season.

NO HOME COMFORTS: Can Burnley finally end their wait for a win at Turf Moor?
PICTURE: Alamy

Swansea City vs Blackburn Rovers

There are a number of fascinating match-ups in the Championship, including West Ham United vs West Brom and Southampton vs Queens Park Rangers – all four sides currently occupying a play-off spot.

Meanwhile at the other end of the table, Norwich City host Watford in a battle between two early-season strugglers.

But there is an intriguing clash in South Wales as Swansea City welcome Blackburn Rovers, two sides who have perhaps exceeded expectations thus far.

The hosts are currently second following a flying start but arrive on the back of two straight defeats and eager for a response to reinforce their promotion credentials.

The first of those two defeats was a narrow 1-0 loss at home to West Ham, but it was last weekend which raised eyebrows most as they were emphatically blown away 5-0 at a rampant QPR.

Saturday presents an opportunity for the Swans to get back on track and prove that the QPR result was nothing more than a bad day at the office.

Many anticipated Blackburn would be firmly in a relegation battle this campaign, but four wins in their last six, either side of the international break, certainly has Tony Mowbray’s side looking up rather than over their shoulders at this present moment.

They find themselves 10th in the table, and similar to Portsmouth, daring to dream of an unlikely top-half push.

A difficult away trip beckons which will provide another stern test for this seemingly much-improved side, having given West Brom an uncomfortable afternoon on their most recent travels, but in Icelandic forward Andri Gudjohnsen they possess one of the in-form players in the league with eight goals in 11 appearances.

INFLUENTIAL: Blackburn Rovers skipper Todd Cantwell and striker Andri Gudjohnsen have been at the heart of Blackburn Rovers’ productive start
PICTURE: PSI/Simon Davies

Bradford City vs Huddersfield Town

There is plenty to enjoy about the League One billing.

Robbie Savage against Jack Wilshere in the dugout, fifth meets sixth as Plymouth Argyle face Reading, as well as a Nottinghamshire derby between Mansfield Town and Notts County.

The main event of the weekend though comes from Valley Parade in a Saturday lunchtime West Yorkshire derby as fourth-placed Bradford City host leaders Huddersfield Town.

Fresh from booking a date with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, the Bantams arrive still yet to taste defeat under new manager Michael Duff, who replaced Graham Alexander (now in charge of Preston).

In fact, they are yet to concede a goal in that period and their season record of just five goals shipped is the best in the EFL.

At the other end of the pitch, though, only four teams across the three EFL divisions have scored fewer than their 10 goals.

Bradford have also registered three goalless draws in four league matches as they search to find the perfect balance between attack and defence.

Duff was in charge of the Terriers’ first season back in League One during the 2024-25 campaign.

However, despite overseeing a 16-game unbeaten run, he was sacked in March as the club slipped out of the promotion picture.

As for the current Huddersfield boss, Martin Drury – a former Bradford assistant coach – has guided his side to the summit following a strong run of four wins in five league matches since a shock defeat at Bromley.

The 40-year-old is in his first managerial role as he looks to guide Huddersfield out of a turbulent period, with striker Joe Taylor and exciting Dutch winger Derensili Sanches Fernandes proving a lethal pairing that has seen them emerge as the team to beat.

FAMILIAR FACE: Michael Duff will be eyeing to get one over on his former employers.
PICTURE: Alamy

Wigan Athletic vs Bromley

From a meeting between two promotion candidates to a huge game at the foot of the League One table – basement side Wigan Athletic take on managerless Bromley this weekend.

Comparisons with the Ravens’ third-tier opponents this season have often highlighted just how far the club has progressed in recent years.

For example, when Wigan Athletic won the FA Cup in 2012-13, Bromley were finishing 15th in the National League South – Step 2 of the National League system.

But now just two points separate them.

Last time at home, Wigan enjoyed just their second league success of the season with a surprise 1-0 win over Reading.

They have endured a difficult trio of away trips since, to make it nine defeats in 12 games and four points adrift from safety.

Caldwell helped steer Wigan away from danger after arriving in February last season.

He now faces another battle to keep the club in League One, with relegation threatening to take them into the fourth tier for the first time since 1981-82.

As for Bromley, their first-ever season in the third tier is all about survival.

Andy Woodman’s departure came as a surprise despite a challenging start to the level, conceding a league-high 30 goals already.

Their most recent outing was a heavy 4-1 defeat at fellow newly-promoted side MK Dons as they continue to look for a first away triumph since the opening day win at Barnsley.

It may be far too early to be tagged as a ‘relegation six-pointer’ but nevertheless, it is a huge opportunity for both sides to earn a much needed win.

STRUGGLE: Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell is searching for a positive result to relieve some pressure.
PICTURE: Alamy

Fleetwood Town vs Bristol Rovers

The top-of-the-table clash between Crewe Alexandra and Barnet probably headlines the League Two offering.

However, one team who was also expected to be competing at the business end was Bristol Rovers, and four wins in their opening five games reinforced those beliefs.

But just one victory in their next eight represents a sudden drop-off which has left Steve Evans’ side languishing in mid-table.

They remain within sight of the top seven, though, despite a five-game winless streak..

The Gas travel to Fleetwood Town to face a side still on cloud nine following their famous penalty shoot-out victory over Premier League champions Arsenal, which secured a place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup and ranks among the biggest shocks in English cup history.

The Cod Army are in 18th position and outside of their cup exploits, have only won one of their last eight games to sit amongst a cluster of sides closely bunched just above 23rd-placed Port Vale.

However, they have proved a tough nut to crack at Highbury, with only three sides emerging victorious in all competitions since February.

For a Bristol Rovers side desperately trying to reignite their season, they will be hoping Fleetwood may still be recovering from their monumental efforts against Mikel Arteta’s men – and celebrations that followed – to catch them at an opportunistic moment in what will be a much more low-profile occasion by the seaside.

On the flip side, Tuesday night could prove a catalyst for the hosts riding a wave as they return to league action.

STUTTERING: Bristol Rovers are slowly losing ground to the early promotion contenders.
PICTURE: Alamy

Any surprises in store?

While we’re in the Halloween spirit, could this weekend produce any shocking results on the pitch?

In the Championship, leaders Middlesbrough were in scintillating form to sweep aside Bolton Wanderers last Friday night and stretch their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

They welcome Charlton Athletic to the Riverside, who after a positive start to the season have now failed to win in nine attempts since the end of August.

Preston North End and Derby County are also struggling at the wrong end of the table, with both sides having managed just one win this season.

Tough away assignments against Stoke City and Millwall respectively await the Lilywhites and Rams as they look to get their seasons back on track.

In League One, Barnsley are another side in desperate need of a result as they prepare to host Oxford United at Oakwell.

The Tykes are currently second bottom on eight points with just two wins and have lost six of their previous seven league matches.

Aaron Ramsey’s Oxford, meanwhile, secured a big win over Stockport County in midweek to move up to third and have only been on the losing side once in the league so far – a defeat at leaders Huddersfield in early September – to silence pre-season scepticism.

Moving onto League Two, Salford City are beginning to look like runaway leaders after nine wins in 10 matches following a slow start under Peter Cklamovski, with a particularly impressive away performance at previously unbeaten Walsall last time out.

Who can stop them? Well maybe an in-form Exeter City side who have the best defensive record in the division.

However, the Grecians will have their work cut out against a powerful Salford side hitting their straps and starting to fulfil pre-season expectations.

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