GW5 Preview: Derby Delights Fill The Fixture List
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After the International break and a Tipple Lower League Special, we’re back to the normal action as the top two divisions return to the fold. In Gameweek 5, we have a gameweek absolutely full of derbies - from the South coast, to London, and right up to Manchester.
Premier League
Crystal Palace vs Sunderland
Crystal Palace welcome Sunderland to Selhurst Park in what could be one of the more intriguing clashes of Tipple Gameweek 5. The Eagles are unbeaten so far, built on defensive solidity and a growing confidence under Oliver Glasner, while Sunderland arrive sitting 6th after a lively start that has shown both attacking intent and defensive frailties. History suggests this is usually a tight contest, but Palace’s home advantage and ability to frustrate opponents may give them the edge, especially if Sunderland struggle to adapt to the Selhurst atmosphere.
Bournemouth vs Brighton
Bournemouth host Brighton on Saturday in what promises to be an open clash. The Cherries come in with momentum after back-to-back clean sheets, including an impressive display against Spurs where they racked up 20 shots, and they’ve lost just once in their last five Premier League home games. Brighton, however, travel poorly with three defeats in their last five away matches (incl. last season), but remain a threat having scored first in six of their last eight. With goals in four of the last five meetings between the two, this one looks set to deliver entertainment.
Fulham vs Leeds United
Fulham host Leeds United at Craven Cottage on Saturday in a clash that both sides badly need to win. Fulham are still searching for their first victory of the season after taking just two points from their opening three games, and will look to use home advantage to kickstart their campaign. Leeds sit mid-table with one win and a draw so far, but their away form has been patchy and they’ll need to sharpen up defensively to get something from this one. History leans Fulham’s way, with three wins from the last five Premier League meetings, but Leeds have shown they can cause problems in this fixture. Expect a tight match, with Fulham slight favourites to edge it.
West Ham vs Tottenham
West Ham welcome Tottenham to the London Stadium in what promises to be a fiery London derby. The Hammers head into this one boosted by a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest before the break, but questions remain after heavy defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea earlier in the month. Spurs, meanwhile, have looked sharper under Thomas Frank, with big wins over Burnley and Manchester City already on the board, though a loss to Bournemouth showed they’re not bulletproof. With plenty of attacking talent on both sides and derby bragging rights at stake, expect an intense clash where Tottenham’s momentum could just give them the edge.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
The first Manchester derby of the season arrives with both clubs under pressure for different reasons. City’s title defence has stuttered after defeats to Tottenham and Brighton left Pep Guardiola dealing with a growing injury crisis, with Foden, Cherki and Marmoush among the doubts. United, meanwhile, sit slightly higher in the table but are sweating on the fitness of Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha, while questions remain over Amorim’s goalkeeper choices after a shaky start from Bayindir. With both sides short on rhythm and carrying key absences, this derby could be decided less by flair and more by which squad handles the setbacks better at the Etihad.
Championship
Charlton Athletic vs Millwall (BIG BET)
Charlton Athletic vs Millwall is always one of the most heated rivalries in the EFL, and Saturday’s clash at The Valley looks no different. Charlton’s form has been patchy, with a win, a draw and two defeats, while Millwall have shown they can grind out results on the road, winning at both Norwich and Sheffield United already this season. The Lions also hold the historical edge, unbeaten in competitive meetings since 1996, and will look to extend that dominance. Charlton will lean on Miles Leaburn’s creativity and home support, but stopping Josh Coburn and a Millwall side that thrive away from home won’t be easy. A tight, physical battle to come then, with little separating the two sides.
Wrexham vs Queens Park Rangers
Wrexham welcome QPR to the Racecourse Ground looking to turn promising performances into their first home win of the season. Phil Parkinson’s side come into this one buoyed by an away victory at Millwall, but inconsistency still dogs their early campaign. Kieffer Moore’s physical presence will be key as the Dragons look to expose a QPR defence that shipped seven against Coventry only a fortnight ago. Rangers, for their part, have shown they can score – putting three past Charlton – but their form on the road and fragile back line leave them vulnerable against a Wrexham side desperate to build momentum in front of their fans.
Stoke City vs Birmingham
Stoke City head into Saturday’s Midlands clash with confidence after three wins in their last four, including a convincing 3-0 victory away to Sheffield Wednesday. Mark Robins’ side look sharp in attack and solid at the back, making them tough to beat at the bet365 Stadium. Birmingham, meanwhile, have shown flashes of quality with recent wins over Oxford and Blackburn, but inconsistency remains an issue. Demarai Gray will be key to unlocking a stubborn Stoke defence, while the Blues will need to be far more clinical if they are to upset one of the division’s in-form sides.
Coventry City vs Norwich City
Coventry City vs Norwich City looks set to be one of the most entertaining fixtures of the weekend, with both sides boasting plenty of attacking threat. Coventry come into it in explosive form, having scored 14 goals in their last three matches, including that 7–1 demolition of QPR. Their defence still looks vulnerable, but their ability to outscore opponents makes them a dangerous prospect at home. Norwich, meanwhile, have been inconsistent, following solid away wins with frustrating home defeats, but with Josh Sargent leading the line as the Championship’s top scorer, they’ll always carry a threat.
Southampton vs Portsmouth
Southampton vs Portsmouth is one of English football’s fiercest rivalries, and Sunday’s clash at St. Mary’s brings the South Coast Derby back to the Championship spotlight. Southampton’s recent form has been mixed, with draws against Watford and Ipswich and a loss to Stoke, but they’ve shown enough attacking spark at home to cause problems. Portsmouth have been more consistent, picking up narrow wins against Oxford and Preston while grinding out a draw away at West Brom. With Saints boasting home advantage and Portsmouth proving tough to break down, this one promises intensity, goals, and a fiery occasion for certain.
League One
Barnsley vs Huddersfield
Bradford City host Huddersfield Town on Saturday lunchtime in their first league meeting at Valley Parade since 2006. Both sides have made strong starts in League One season, with Bradford also knocking out Blackburn and Stoke in the League Cup. Graham Alexander’s side are combative and clinical in attack, led by in-form striker Will Swann, but have managed just one clean sheet in the league. Huddersfield arrive a point ahead despite a lengthy injury list, and the sold-out away end ensures the derby atmosphere will be fierce.
Northampton vs Blackpool
Northampton Town face Blackpool at Sixfields Stadium. The Cobblers sit 16th with seven points, while Blackpool are 6 places below them in 22nd with just four points. However, recent history favours the visitors, with Northampton losing 4 of the last 6 league meetings. Blackpool’s away form has been poor this season, with defeats in every road game so far, so both sides see this as a chance to spark their campaigns and climb the table.
Peterborough vs Wycombe
Peterborough United face Wycombe Wanderers at the Weston Homes Stadium. The hosts come into the match bottom of the table with just one point from their opening seven fixtures, having conceded 14 goals in the process. Their most recent outing saw them lose 3-2 to Huddersfield Town despite taking the lead, underlining their defensive struggles. Wycombe, meanwhile, sit 19th with five points from one win and two draws. A recent 2-0 home victory over Mansfield Town boosted confidence, though their away form remains a concern. The head-to-head record between the sides is tight, with Wycombe edging recent meetings, including two wins from the last five.
Leyton Orient vs Bolton Wanderers
Leyton Orient welcome Bolton Wanderers to Brisbane Road in a League One clash between two sides separated only by goal difference. Orient returned to winning ways at Port Vale last weekend, while Bolton come into the match on the back of a 3-0 home victory over AFC Wimbledon. Steven Schumacher’s side have already built a reputation as draw specialists this season, sharing the points in four of their seven league games so far. Both clubs head into this fixture with ambitions of pushing toward the top six, making it a useful early marker in the campaign.
AFC Wimbledon vs Rotherham United
Wimbledon’s strong home form is set to be tested by a Rotherham side desperate to end their dismal run on the road. The Millers have usually had the upper hand in this fixture, winning eight of the last ten meetings, but injuries and inconsistency have left them vulnerable this season. With the home crowd behind them, Wimbledon will be confident of exploiting those weaknesses and pushing further up the League One table.
League Two
Crawley Town v Cheltenham Town
Crawley Town and Cheltenham Town both head into this League Two clash with renewed confidence after finally getting their first wins of the season last weekend. Crawley ended their drought with a narrow 1-0 victory over Harrogate, while Cheltenham edged past Accrington following a draw with Salford. Neither side has been convincing defensively, with both among the league’s worst for goals conceded, but recent improvements suggest this could be a tight, evenly balanced contest. With home advantage for Crawley and Cheltenham’s struggles away, the fixture has all the makings of a scrappy but important battle for early-season momentum.
Grimsby Town vs Cambridge United
Grimsby Town host Cambridge United at Blundell Park with the Mariners flying high in 4th place on 14 points and carrying a strong 57% win rate, while the visitors sit 12th on 10 points and have lost two of their last three away matches. History favours Cambridge in this fixture with four wins in the last six head-to-head meetings, but current form suggests Grimsby’s early momentum and home advantage could prove decisive in what should be a competitive League Two clash.
Chesterfield vs Milton Keynes Dons
Chesterfield welcome Milton Keynes Dons to the SMH Group Stadium in what looks like one of the standout fixtures of the League Two weekend. Paul Cook’s side began the campaign brightly but have stumbled in recent weeks, conceding heavily in cup competitions and slipping to a narrow defeat against Walsall last time out. MK Dons, meanwhile, boast a squad stacked with talent for this level but have also struggled to find consistency, mixing big wins with frustrating defeats. Both clubs harbour promotion ambitions and will see this as a key test of their credentials, with Chesterfield’s attacking intent coming up against the Dons’ need to steady their form and reassert themselves near the top of the table.
Fleetwood Town vs Walsall
Highbury Stadium hosts an intriguing League Two battle as Fleetwood Town look to test themselves against high-flying Walsall. The hosts have shown flashes of resilience with a couple of hard-fought home draws but remain stuck in mid-table with 11 points. Walsall, by contrast, are flying with five wins from their opening seven games having them sitting third and brimming with confidence. Fleetwood can point to their recent record in recent league meetings with the Saddlers, but this weekend’s clash will reveal if that edge still holds against a side carrying real promotion momentum.
Gillingham vs Notts County
Gillingham’s clash with Notts County at Priestfield brings together two sides with very different early-season narratives. The hosts sit top of League Two with 15 points and an impressive home record, having won four of their last five in front of their fans. Notts County arrive in 10th with 11 points, showing flashes of quality but less consistency. Goals look almost guaranteed here – six of the last meetings between these two have produced three or more, and County’s recent games have followed the same trend. With the leaders in strong form and the visitors always capable of scoring, this fixture promises to be one of the weekend’s more entertaining contests.
That’s it! The Tipple Gameweek 5 fixture list. Think you’ve got what it takes to get all 6 picks correct? Download Tipple on the App Store and get involved now!
