23rd August 2018

There were questions surrounding how Exeter would respond to Paul Tisdale’s departure in the summer, but they’ve answered those in perfect fashion as they sit top of the tree after four games.

The Grecians come up against their former boss as they travel to take on MK Dons on Saturday, with both sides aiming to maintain their unbeaten records so far.

MK were held by Grimsby in their last outing, and their encounters have been low-scoring so far having found the net four times and only conceding twice.

Grimsby were beaten heavily by Forest Green on opening day, but have bounced back with an unbeaten three-game run of one win and two draws.

They travel to face a Newport side who, like them, lost on opening day and have since responded in positive fashion. County’s two wins so far see them sitting outside the play-off places on goal difference.

Pre-season favourites Notts County haven’t had the best of starts as they sit bottom of the league, with just a single point to their tally.

Kevin Nolan’s side come up against Lincoln next, as the Imps rival Exeter for top spot with an unbeaten start themselves.

Also up at the top end of the standings is Colchester, where two wins and two draws puts them in third on goal difference.

John McGreal’s side are priding themselves on defence, having only conceded one so far, although their nine goals in the ‘for’ column highlight their strength in attack.

The U’s will fancy their chances at home to Northampton, who are still waiting for their first win of the season.

Carlisle and Crewe meet at Brunton Park with both sides seeing goals in both columns of the standings. United sit sixth in the table after four games, which make Sky Bet’s Carlisle to win and Both Teams to Score enhanced offer an intriguing bet.

Sitting one spot below Carlisle is Swindon, who were denied victory by a last-gasp penalty away at Crawley in midweek. They travel to take on an unbeaten Forest Green side, whilst Crawley take on a Bury outfit who have made an almost identical start to Harry Kewell’s men.

In between Swindon and Forest Green is Mansfield, who are also unbeaten after four games. They’ll be confident of extending that run to five, with their next opponent Macclesfield still waiting for that first victory.

A positive for Macclesfield is that they are finding the net, which, like Carlisle, make Sky Bet’s enhanced odds of a Mansfield win with Both Teams to Score a bet potentially worth investigating.

Stevenage put their unbeaten spell on the line when they take on Yeovil at Huish Park, who haven’t lost in three after opening day defeat to Bury.

Sporting Life has a fortnightly Championship podcast where we discuss all things to do with the division. This week’s episode sees Tom Carnduff and Gareth Jones joined by former Derby, Leeds, Millwall and Middlesbrough striker Noel Whelan. You can listen to this week’s episode by heading here.

Alongside that, Sky Bet have enhanced the odds of a four-fold accumulator for this week’s EFL action. Back Aston Villa, Peterborough, Carlisle and Mansfield all to win at 16/1 by heading here.