Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1 is now done and dusted, as managerial attention turns towards Gameweek 2, where all 72 clubs feature.
Yes, Championship clubs are returning to action, featuring some blockbuster opening matches.
Pre-season matches are a great way of judging a club’s readiness for the upcoming season. These friendlies show how well a team works together, which new signings are fitting in and can identify in-form players.
For instance, Crewe Alexandra‘s five pre-season wins led to a 3-1 away victory against Salford City, while Doncaster Rovers‘ perfect summer preceded a 2-0 win over Barnet.
This article examines the strongest Championship pre-season records, specifically those of teams that went unbeaten.
If you want any more news on pre-season results for the entire 72, check our pre-season results tracker here.
Note – if you see an ‘N’ listed for a fixture, it signifies a neutral venue, meaning the game was played in a different country.
CHAMPIONSHIP PRE-SEASON: UNBEATEN CLUBS
| TEAM | MATCH ONE | MATCH TWO | MATCH THREE | MATCH FOUR | MATCH FIVE | MATCH SIX |
| Hull City | 1-0 vs Kasimpasa (N) | 1-0 vs Stockport County (A) | 2-1 vs Sunderland (H) | 0-0 vs Getafe (H) | ||
| Portsmouth | 2-0 vs Woking (H) | 5-0 vs Farnborough (A) | 1-0 vs Crawley Town (A) | 4-0 vs Reading (A) | 0-0 vs Havant & Waterlooville (A) | 1-0 vs PEC Zwolle (H) |
| Watford | 0-0 vs Boreham Wood (A) | 1-1 vs AFC Wimbledon (A) | 1-1 vs Leyton Orient (A) | 1-0 vs Deportivo La Coruna (H) |
Observations
After last season’s turmoil, which saw Hull survive on the final day of the Championship season, and Sergej Jakirovic appointed, there’s a conversation to be had. They’ve shipped just one goal, scoring four in the process.
The Bosnian has them unbeaten in pre-season, including an impressive 2-1 win over Sunderland, where Nathan Tinsdale (M) and Abu Kamara (F) got on the scoresheet.
While goal-scoring remains a potential concern, this run suggests a more positive outlook for the club. They were the lowest-scoring Championship side last season and visit Coventry City in Gameweek 1.
Elsewhere, Portsmouth have been superb, winning five of six games. Although three of these – including the draw – were against non-league opponents, it’s still impressive from the South Coast outfit.
Most impressively, they haven’t conceded a single goal throughout, while scoring 13. This is a dramatic turnaround from last season, when they conceded 71 times, the division’s third-most. Colby Bishop (F) and Thomas Waddingham (F) have netted twice.
Pompey travel to Oxford United in Gameweek 1.
Although Watford‘s recent form is impressive, it’s arguably the least convincing of these three. Three draws were against lower-division teams, raising concerns about their attacking strength.
Despite the unease surrounding their attacking threat, they ended with a 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna. While Paulo Pezzolano continues to implement his style, the real test comes from Gameweek 1’s match at Charlton Athletic.
WHICH OTHER CLUBS HAVE CAUGHT THE EYE?
Under the leadership of new manager Martí Cifuentes, Leicester City have been in impressive form, winning five of six. Jordan Ayew (F) has been a standout performer with three goals, while Louis Page (M) and Patson Daka (M) have scored two each. Their sole defeat came against Bundesliga outfit Koln.
The Foxes face Sheffield Wednesday (H), while Millwall are against Norwich City (A) after gathering five wins and 18 goals in seven matches.
Mihailo Ivanovic (F) and Josh Coburn (F) were top scorers with four goals each. Aidomo Emakhu (F) bagged three, while Macauley Langstaff (F) grabbed a hat-trick against Sutton United.
Under Valerien Ismael, Blackburn Rovers won five of their six matches, including a notable 1-0 victory over Everton. They consistently scored each time, totalling 10 while conceding three. Leading the attack were Yuki Ohashi (F) and Makhtar Gueye (F), both of whom scored two goals apiece.
Following their relegation, Ipswich Town are hoping to immediately bounce back. Since their loss to Peterborough, the subsequent four ended in victory. Key to this winning streak has been Ali Al-Hamadi (F) and George Hirst (F), scoring three and four goals respectively.
Overall, the team have scored 12 times, ahead of the juicy trip to Birmingham City.
Finally, Ruben Selles is effectively implementing his style at Sheffield United. They have won four of their five pre-season matches and netted 17 times in the process. While they lost their finale 3-2, it’s been an overall impressive attacking start.
Ryan One (F) led the team with four goals. A balanced attack also saw six other players score two, including Anel Ahmedhodzic (D).
After the disappointment of losing last season’s play-off final, perhaps momentum will carry them into Bristol City (H).
