EFL preview: Savage salvation and a happy homecoming?

It takes two weeks inside a chrysalis for a butterfly to emerge eye-catching in flight but could the same metamorphosis happen for a football team? Not all of the English Football League have enjoyed a fortnight off during the international break; teams in League One and League Two have continued their campaigns while a number of players have been off representing their countries. However, October still offers a fresh start. Close enough to the start of the season for new managers to make an impact in the league, far enough that sides should be finding their footing. Here are some of the standout fixtures and narratives across the EFL that you should be keeping your eyes on this weekend. Another week, another derby West Bromwich Albion are currently fifth on the Championship table, three points above 10th placed Birmingham City [Shutterstock] West Bromwich Albion defender Conor Townsend labelled their 1-0 loss to local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers their "worst performance of the season" but a chance to show they can turn up in a big match has rolled around quickly. The Baggies return to action with yet more bragging rights on offer, this time welcoming Birmingham City to The Hawthorns on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST). Like Wolves before them, Blues could leapfrog their hosts on the table should they take victory and Albion will be keen to stop allowing their West Midlands foes from using them as a stepping stone closer to the top. Last season though, the two shared the points in both Championship fixtures with just one goal each - and it was not the only derby to be so tight. Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-off final last season and given a four point penalty for this season after their Spygate scandal [Shutterstock] The South Coast meetings between Southampton and Portsmouth last season carried high expectation but both games fell a little flat. In fact, the teams have drawn four of their past five meetings. Saints may feel a little buoyed this time around though when they meet at St Mary's on Sunday (12:00 BST). Spygate is finally behind them after boss Tonda Eckert was given a six-week suspended ban for his role in the controversy by the FA. Portsmouth are on a three match unbeaten run and will be hoping that the media spectacle of Eckert's punishment can prove a suitable distraction for their opponents from the true prize - local pride. Eckert "got off very, very lightly" - McAnuff Hellberg reveals Eckert apology after Spygate 'Thank you for support' - Saints boss Eckert speaking to media Schumacher returns to shining Stoke Steven Schumacher's replacement at Stoke, Narcis Pelach, lasted just three short months before the side appointed Mark Robins in January 2025 [Shutterstock] Steven Schumacher left a promoted and thriving Plymouth Argyle to head north to the Bet365 Stadium in December 2023, only to be sacked in September after 32 games. But, despite the knockback, Schumacher is back in the Championship after leading Bolton to promotion and the Trotters have shown they have plenty of fight in them. Three of their four losses have been by the margin of a single goal and they have won their past two games to be just three points short of the play-off positions. His former employers will represent a tough challenge on Saturday (15:00 BST) though with Stoke on a five match undefeated run (W4 D1) and looking to keep consolidating their goal of being a promotion contender. "At Stoke there has been lots of change, they've moved managers on, they've tried these winning formulas," former Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town defender Luke Chambers told the 72+ podcast . "But with Mark Robins, he's a fabulous manager. Stoke City have impressed me, especially within the past few weeks." Schumacher happy with Bolton points tally Alexander the Great to Preston's rescue? Graham Alexander was previously a caretaker manager at Preston North End for a month before his first managerial position at Fleetwood later that year in 2012 [Shutterstock/BBC] Graham Alexander is much loved at Deepdale from his playing days, where he made 410 appearances and became club captain. Fourteen years after his retirement, he is back at the club he claims is "special" to him and with a mammoth challenge on his hands. The Lilywhites are kept off the bottom spot on the Championship table by just one goal and have managed a solitary win so far this season. Next they face Millwall on Saturday (15:00 BST), a team that have been beleaguered with injuries but still just two points off the play-off positions. Preston return 'surreal' and 'special' - Alexander Alexander wants a winning atmosphere at Preston Duff at ease with expectation in Bradford role Duff back in the dugout Conversely, Bradford City will be aiming to show their recent successes have come from more than just possessing Alexander in charge. Alexander led the Bantams to promotion in 2025 plus a play-off semi-final last season before losing to eventual winners Bolton. The former Scotland international has left them in pretty good stead too, second on the table level on points with League One leaders Plymouth Argyle. The man in charge of making sure they continue where they left off is Michael Duff, the former Wycombe Wanderers boss with some big boots to fill. Duff isn't concerned about the eyes on him though as he prepares for his first game at the helm against Leyton Orient on Saturday (15:00 BST). "I'm under no illusions, they [the owners] will let you know [if you're doing a bad job]," Duff told the 72+ podcast. "I like the fact they will because there is an expectancy. It's a big football club. I'd rather have that pressure than playing in front of 200 people that don't care if you win or not." Will it be a Savage day for the Foxes? Peterborough's game against Leicester City will mark Robbie Savage's managerial debut in the EFL [Shutterstock/BBC] Robbie Savage has undertaken a huge task in leading Peterborough United away from the bottom side of the table - but it's already got off to a good start. Posh scored four times in less than 10 minutes for Savage's first game in charge, a 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town in the EFL Trophy. It brings back times of yore for the club, renowned for their attacking prowess but finding themselves lacking this season as the lowest scorers in League One with just four goals in eight games. Savage wants Peterborough 'mentality' shift Savage's first chance to make an impression in the third division - and the EFL in general for that matter - is against former club Leicester City, where he made 204 appearances as a player across a five-year stint. "He is box office, isn't he?" former Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith told the 72+ podcast. "But he's got a tough start. Three of his next four are away from home. He's got Leicester on Saturday, he's then got Huddersfield and also Bromley." The two sides meet on Saturday (15:00 BST) and while Russell Martin is still struggling to win over hearts at mind at the King Power Stadium, the Foxes league form has shown some signs of life with a win over Stockport and a draw at Barnsley leading into this fixture. Two award winners, one victor His appointment at Salford City is the first time Australian Peter Cklamovski has managed in English football [Shutterstock/BBC] Things are going mighty well for Salford City and Cheltenham Town as of late. After three successive losses to open their campaign in August, the Red Devils turnaround to rise to the top spot has earned boss Peter Cklamovski the manager of the month award for September. Meanwhile, Cheltenham have only lost two games and midfielder Charlie McCann has shown so much influence in the middle of the park that he was named player of the month. But awards mean nothing if they can't keep the results flowing. The two meet on the Robins' home turf on Saturday (15:00 BST) and if they win and things go in their favour elsewhere, they could be snatching away Salford's place at the apex. Even more in their favour, the hosts heavily lead the head-to-head with just two losses in their nine previous meetings (W5 D2). BBC Sport will have live text coverage of all the weekend's EFL action, starting with West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers (20:00 BST) on Friday, throughout Saturday's fixtures and culminating in Southampton v Portsmouth on Sunday (12:00 BST).