International breaks can be a football fan’s worst nightmare, especially for those who prefer domestic leagues.
The weekly accas disappear, and a couple of weeks without pre-match pints can feel like an eternity.
However, supporters of several clubs have had plenty of drama to follow despite the lack of on-field action. Sports News Blitz’s EFL expert Charlie Gardner looks at three managerial changes and predicts how each team will perform this weekend.
Preston North End appointed club legend Graham Alexander at the end of September. He earned the opportunity after a successful spell at Bradford City, where he turned his dream of managing Preston into reality.
Bradford, meanwhile, needed a replacement for one of their most successful managers in a decade. Peterborough United also wanted a fresh start after dismissing former Notts County boss Luke Williams.
Peterborough turned to former Manchester United and Leicester City player Robbie Savage. They recruited him from National League side Forest Green Rovers. The controversial appointment aims to change the culture inside the dressing room.
Bradford eventually found their replacement in Michael Duff, announcing his appointment on Tuesday. The former Championship Manager legend, for those who know, had recently lost his job at Wycombe Wanderers.
How will the three managers fare in their first league matches? Let’s look at the fixtures and predictions.
Graham Alexander, Preston North End – vs Millwall (H)
Alexander returns to Deepdale for his first match in charge of Preston. Alex Neil’s Millwall travel to Lancashire after a solid start to the season.
The match also reunites Alexander with Jenson Metcalfe. The young midfielder moved up a division from Bradford City this summer and has already become a fan favourite.
Millwall have struggled for consistency away from home. They have won just one of their away fixtures, although they have faced some tough opponents.
Preston have also endured a poor start. Their struggles led to the club dismissing manager Paul Heckingbottom early in the campaign.
SkyBet list Millwall as narrow favourites at 7/5. However, this could have been an evenly matched contest even without the managerial changes.
Alexander built a strong culture at Bradford City. He harnessed the energy of a passionate support at a rocking Valley Parade, and I expect him to bring a similar approach to Preston.
He also impressed in high-pressure matches, where determination and character often proved decisive.
Deepdale ranks among the Football League’s most iconic grounds. Its stands sit close to the pitch, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.
Preston will welcome a club legend back against a side known for its hostility. That combination could create a memorable atmosphere for Alexander’s first game.
He has also brought another Preston legend, Chris Lucketti, in as his assistant. The pair know the club and understand what the supporters expect.
They will need to turn an underwhelming defence into a stronger unit. The international break has also given them time to work with the squad on the training ground.
I expect a tight, physical contest. It might not offer much in the way of attractive football, but both teams should bring plenty of passion and grit.
This is a huge occasion for Preston. Alexander’s return could inspire the home crowd and help the players rise to the challenge.
Prediction: Preston North End to sh*thouse a win against the grain after a tight game
Robbie Savage, Peterborough United – vs Leicester City (A)
Savage faces a difficult challenge at Peterborough. The club needs better results, and the pressure is already high.
His first league match takes him away to Leicester City. It is hardly an easy introduction to his new role.
Peterborough may not have one of the biggest fanbases in League One, but the club has a strong EFL history. They have enjoyed spells in the Championship and regularly challenged for promotion in League One.
However, recent seasons have proved difficult. Peterborough now sit among the favourites for relegation, with SkyBet listing them behind Bromley at 5/4.
The club has won the EFL Trophy twice in succession. Its recruitment strategy has also helped develop talented players, including Ephron Mason-Clark, Kwame Poku and Ivan Toney.
Peterborough last came close to promotion during the 2022/23 season. They suffered a heartbreaking play-off defeat against Sheffield Wednesday after the Owls recovered from a four-goal deficit to secure promotion.
The club has struggled to repeat those achievements since then.
Peterborough needed a change, and Savage could bring the character and passion the team has lacked. However, some supporters remain concerned about his record at Forest Green Rovers.
The National League is difficult to escape, even for clubs with strong squads and healthy budgets. Forest Green faced competition from several well-resourced rivals, so Savage’s spell there needs context.
Peterborough still have plenty of talent and experience. Their bigger problem has been a lack of grit and street smarts.
Opponents have often bullied them, making matches feel like men against boys. Savage will need to change that mentality quickly.
However, he must also prove he can handle the tactical jump between the National League and League One.
Forward Harry Leonard has ability, but he has yet to produce the numbers Peterborough need this season. Savage must find a way to give him better service and more opportunities in front of goal.
Unfortunately for Savage, Leicester away presents a major challenge.
The former Premier League champions currently sit 14th, and Russell Martin has yet to convince the fans that he is the right man for the job.
Leicester have also struggled at home. Peterborough, however, have been the league’s worst away team.
Despite their position, Leicester still have one of the stronger squads in the division. I believe they will eventually find their rhythm.
For Peterborough, this looks like a difficult afternoon. SkyBet make Leicester strong favourites at 8/15, and Savage cannot be expected to transform the team overnight.
At least the fixture offers him a chance to assess his players without unrealistic expectations. He can begin implementing his ideas and prepare for more winnable matches.
Michael Duff, Bradford City – vs Leyton Orient (H)
Bradford City have experienced a turbulent few weeks.
Losing a manager who helped transform the club has left the Bantams facing a major challenge. Under Graham Alexander, they moved from struggling in League Two to competing higher up the English football pyramid.
Bradford secured promotion in 2024/25 and returned to League One. They then defied expectations by reaching the play-offs, where eventual winners Bolton Wanderers ended their campaign.
The summer transfer window also brought difficulties. Midfielders Jenson Metcalfe and captain Max Power both left the club. Metcalfe moved to Preston, while Power joined Wigan Athletic to be closer to home.
Alexander then followed Metcalfe to Preston when the club approached him. His departure left Bradford needing to rebuild a project that had exceeded expectations on a mid-table budget.
Despite Alexander’s exit, Bradford remain among the promotion favourites. SkyBet list them at 9/4.
The club announced Duff on Tuesday. Some supporters questioned his location, as he was believed to be based in the south of England. Following recent events, they wanted reassurance that he would remain close to the club. Bradford and Duff have confirmed he will stay locally while in the job.
His recent managerial record has also raised questions. Wycombe Wanderers dismissed him at the start of the season, while Huddersfield Town and Swansea City had previously parted ways with him.
However, those clubs have experienced considerable instability in recent years. Duff helped Wycombe climb from 20th to 11th last season.
His time at Barnsley in 2022/23 also brought success. He guided the club to 86 points and a play-off place in a highly competitive league.
Duff has not matched that achievement since, but his earlier work shows what he can deliver under the right circumstances.
Bradford’s head of football, David Sharpe, recently explained the appointment. He described it as a continuity-focused decision and said Duff stood out as a candidate who could build on Alexander’s work.
Bradford beat Rotherham comfortably in the Jersey Mike’s EFL Trophy on Tuesday. Duff was technically in charge, but a touchline ban limited his involvement on the day.
His first league match will come against Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient at Valley Parade. It will also be Bradford’s first home league game since Alexander’s departure.
SkyBet make Bradford strong favourites at 8/13. Their home record has been excellent again this season.
Alexander and Duff share a similar tactical approach, although Duff often prefers to play with two strikers. That could benefit new signing Jake Beesley, who enjoyed the best scoring record of his career in a front two at Burton last year.
Beesley has scored only once this campaign. A change in formation could help him find his scoring touch.
Another advantage for Duff is that much of the attention has focused on Alexander’s departure rather than the new manager himself.
Duff does not need to make wholesale changes. He has inherited a team that already knows how to compete and win matches.
Leyton Orient are a capable side and currently sit 11th. However, they are nine places below Bradford, who beat them 3-1 in the Carabao Cup in September.
I rate Wellens and his approach, so Bradford should not underestimate the visitors. Even so, I expect the home supporters to get behind Duff and the players.
The squad will also want to prove that its success did not depend entirely on Alexander. A strong performance could help Bradford maintain their momentum.
Prediction: Bradford City to win after Leyton Orient put up a strong fight.
Writer’s opinion
It’s of course hard to be impartial when two of the fixtures on here are so relevant to my own club.
Alexander certainly has a task on his hands at Preston and fans from both clubs are sceptical as to whether he can get a tune out of a Championship side.
That said, though, we were all underwhelmed when he took over at Valley Parade, and he’s proven time and time again that he can defy expectations and rise to a challenge.
I really do think this is the best appointment Preston could have made, but it’s still a massive career gamble leaving arguably the most secure job in football right now, but he always was an audacious manager full of ambition.
Duff is an interesting appointment, one that underwhelmed me, but when I focus on the facts, it’s hard to see who else we realistically could have appointed.
If what the people in charge say is true, then a continuity choice is probably the best way to go, and if he can get us scoring more goals, then I will welcome it, but it still feels somewhat risky and a bit of an untenable role for him.
Either he continues the success and overachievement that is already in place or it goes wrong and we deem him responsible.
Savage to Peterborough is also a weird one.
Forest Green fans don’t have the highest opinion of him and think he should have done more in his time at the club.
I sort of agree, and I’d be a little underwhelmed if we appointed him, but Peterborough need something different, someone to shake things up.
And honestly, from the outside, I can see it’s a gamble, but there’s a chance he could prove to be exactly what they need.
Roll on the weekend!
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