Five things in EFL: Fallen giants and ambitious upstarts

What the report says

BBC Sport Football says this weekend’s EFL fixtures offer several early-season storylines, ranging from clubs trying to recover from recent relegation to promoted sides aiming to keep their momentum. The article frames the second week of the season around ambition at both ends of the table, with West Ham United, Leicester City and Rotherham United among the more established clubs under pressure, while Lincoln City, Bromley and York City are presented as teams still riding the boost from last season’s success.

West Ham’s Championship home game against Charlton is highlighted as a major early test, with the London Stadium expected to be full as supporters look for a strong response after relegation from the Premier League. Leicester also begin at home, against Burton Albion, as they try to stabilise after dropping out of the top flight and then the Championship. BBC Sport notes that both clubs are dealing with the expectations that come with being seen as favourites in their respective divisions.

The piece also points to Lincoln’s return to second-tier football after a long absence, with Portsmouth visiting Sincil Bank, while Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn meet Middlesbrough in a personal reunion for the former Boro player and manager. In League Two, Rotherham’s difficult start continues against a buoyant York side that has recently climbed from non-league football. BBC Sport says it will provide live text coverage of the weekend’s EFL action.