EFL Tips | Gab Sutton

After winning the League Two title last season, Stockport spent big in the summer to evolve the squad further, and their investments will help Dave Challinor’s side compete on multiple fronts.

Flying high in League One, Challinor still has the luxury of being able to bring goalkeeper Corey Addai, defender Sam Hughes, left-back Ibou Touray, midfielder Callum Camps, attacking midfielder Odin Bailey, speedy winger Jayden Fevrier and powerful striker Isaac Olaofe all into the XI.

None of the players who made the bench at the Pirelli Stadium are unproven youngsters, declining veterans or stocking-fillers who make up the numbers: all of them could make a real contribution in League One.

Visitors Brackley are in good form in the National League North - Gavin Cowan’s side are just a point outside the Play-Offs with a game in hand – but, crucially, Stockport will have a game-changer on the bench in Louie Barry if they need some second half inspiration.

It hasn’t been scintillating football on offer this season from Burnley, who scored nine goals in their first two games before losing numerous key players, and Scott Parker’s side have since scored 12 in 15.

Despite their creative challenges, the Clarets have found impeccable consistency at the back, conceding just six goals all season with a whopping 11 clean sheets.

Parker isn’t short on centre-backs to pick from, but Maxime Esteve and CJ Egan-Riley have benefited from continuity, forging an understanding that has made them one of the best pairings in the second tier.

Stoke hit six past Portsmouth in October but have scored just 13 goals in their other 16 league games this season, in what looks set to be another season in the bottom half.

Borja Sainz has enjoyed phenomenal form for Norwich this season, scoring a remarkable 14 goals in 17 games, following a hat-trick in Tuesday’s 6-1 demolition of Plymouth Argyle.

What’s even more impressive, is that Johannes Hoff Thorup’s system dictates that the Canaries rely on Sainz for width on the left – unlike right-back Kellan Fisher, the left-back isn’t typically given license to stay high and wide for large periods in possession.

Sainz is often the one furthest out there for long periods, which seems counterintuitive for a player posting this kind of goalscoring form – but his ability to cut into dangerous areas in the latter stages of moves means he isn’t picked up by opponents in the same way.

It was similar for striker Teemu Pukki in 2018-19’s title-winning campaign. He played such a selfless role in the team’s creative process; opponents couldn’t really mark him. It’s the same kind of effect for Sainz, albeit from a completely different role.

Having scored the second-most goals in League One, but also conceded the second-most, Peterborough are one of the EFL’s most entertaining teams.

Notts County had that mantle last season, although they’ve solidified more this year with greater defensive balance, and can still create chances – with George Abbott, on loan from Tottenham, looking a fine addition in midfield.

After successive Play-Off campaigns, the Posh don’t look quite as well-rounded as they have been in previous campaigns, and might struggle to repeat the feat, so an FA Cup run would certainly add some magic to their campaign.

It would be a stage for Kwame Poku to show his brilliance too, with the wide forward stepping up another level, adding goals to his game after Ephron Mason-Clark returned to Coventry in the summer.

Walsall are enjoying an excellent season in League Two, with Mat Sadler’s side having taken 31 points from their first 16 games.

Wing-back Connor Barrett and forward Nathan Lowe have been the standouts but, with two up top, two adventurous wingbacks and two attack-minded midfielders, the Saddlers offer a multitude of threats to keep opponents guessing.

It’s something Charlton might envy because, while their hosts have scored 30 goals from 16 league games this season, with an xGF of 31.16, they have scored 17 in 16, with 19.89xGF.

The Addicks look short of creativity in midfield, so this could be a banana-skin of a tie for Nathan Jones’ side.