EFL rejects plans to include Premier League B teams in expansion

The competition has seen low turnouts for the games so far, with only 1,575 watching United’s 4-2 win against Exeter City last month – the third lowest gate for a competitive first-team game at the Kassam Stadium.

The belief is that a winter break at Premier League and Championship level could be beneficial to attendances in what would be the three divisions below.

Clubs also expressed a preference to play through a winter break should one be introduced in the English game. Now Stoke City sit right bottom of the table having lost four of the five games played and drawing the other one.

In all competitions, Manchester United have dropped three games in a row and Mourinho heads into Wednesday clash in Northampton hoping to avoid losing four straight games for the first time in his managerial career.

This Premier League week will mark the 20th Anniversary of Arsene Wenger as an Arsenal manager.

Leicester could win at big odds, just as Watford did against United last week, and are worth considering on the handicap at least.

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EFL chiefs announced plans for a shake-up in May as they seek to balance demands to relieve fixture congestion while safeguarding the financial position of their clubs.

“This is a very good lesson for us because when you concede a goal, it’s important to maintain your composure, stay calm because sooner or later we can score”, Ranieri said. Only time will tell whether they are capable of such a turnaround.

Some argue that is typical of the hot-and-cold form of teams managed by Alan Pardew, but the fluctuating fortunes probably have less to do with Pardew and more to do with the players available to him. With Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also impressing in attack and Ander Herrera setting the tempo in midfield, Rooney has a fight on his hands to get his place back.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all sealed their berth in the fourth round of the League Cup after registering victories in their respective matches.

Here’s a more in-depth look at each side’s chances and views from the Soccer Saturday pundits poised to cover this weekend’s action. Three of the goals came via Danny Blind corners as Leicester plunged to their third defeat. “His team won. He is a big player for me, for United and for this country”.