Surprise pacesetters & resurgent runs - five things to watch in the EFL

What the report says

BBC Sport Football previews five talking points across the Championship, League One and League Two ahead of the weekend’s EFL fixtures. The piece highlights an early-season surprise at the top of the Championship, where Swansea, Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic have all started strongly and remain unbeaten after four matches. Charlton’s next test is at Stoke City, while QPR host Middlesbrough in what BBC Sport describes as their toughest assignment so far.

The article also flags several derby matches, including Swansea against Wrexham, Preston North End versus Blackburn Rovers, and Birmingham City against Wolves. It notes that Blackburn have had recent success in the Lancashire derby, while Birmingham are trying to protect an unbeaten start. Another major subplot is West Ham United’s return to the Championship after 14 years, with the club’s on-field progress and ownership developments both drawing attention. Derby County, who recently recorded their first league win of the season, are also mentioned in that context.

In League One, Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough United meet for the first time since Wednesday’s dramatic 2023 comeback in the play-off semi-final, a match still remembered by both sets of supporters. The Owls have made a positive start to the new campaign, while Peterborough have struggled for consistency. In League Two, Bristol Rovers are presented as one of the division’s early form teams under Steve Evans, who has guided them away from last season’s relegation danger and into first place after three straight wins.