Five things to look out for in EFL - Wilder's return and a top-two tangle

It may still be early in the season, but the EFL features some potentially campaign-defining games this weekend.

Sheffield United usher in a third era under Chris Wilder in a bid to recover their promotion ambitions after a horrendous start under sacked boss Ruben Selles.

While the Blades seek an escape from the bottom of the Championship, League One front-runners Cardiff City and Bradford City face each other for a chance to sit alone at the top of the table, while Gillingham aim to maintain their unbeaten record in League Two under boss Gareth Ainsworth.

Here are five things you should keep an eye on across the EFL this weekend.

Three months after Chris Wilder was dumped by Sheffield United for failing to gain them promotion and replaced by then-Hull City boss Ruben Selles, the boyhood Blades fan is back in the managerial seat.

Wilder departed having narrowly lost a play-off final but despite only a short time away, the Bramall Lane outfit are nowhere near where he left them.

Selles' reign failed to yield a single point in five league games, leaving them the last remaining EFL club to get moving - even putting them below their turmoil-ridden rivals Wednesday - and the Blades will still be nursing wounds from their 5-0 drubbing from Ipswich Town last time out.

But Wilder's reinstatement at the helm has many feeling much more positive about the future as they prepare to host Charlton Athletic on Saturday (15:00 BST), even if the 57-year-old is far from gloating about the circumstances of his appointment.

"I'm not looking to come in here and be smug about the situation. It's my football club and we're bottom of the division. We've played six (overall), lost six, that is not a good place," Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"There's a lack of respect to the football club which has to be owned at the moment. I have to help the players and change that around."

Coventry City have not fared well when making the 24.5 mile trip up the M69 to the King Power Stadium.

Since Leicester City moved to their current ground in 2002, the Sky Blues have never won there but the West Midlands side will fancy their chances at righting that wrong when they visit on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The two sides are separated by just a single point in the Championship table and the Foxes had to twice come back from a goal down to gain a point against a struggling Oxford United side in their previous match.

"[Coventry is] probably our hardest test of the season so far on paper," Foxes podcaster Jordan Halford told the When You're Smiling podcast.

"I think if we can get all three points, it will be a big statement win and it hopefully sets us up for the rest of the season. I know we've only played five but I don't think we have anywhere near got going yet."

Cardiff City and Bradford City might be new additions to League One but they are both stamping their name on the third division.

The Bantams have consolidated their ascension to League Two with five wins in their first eight games (D2 L1) - the latest a confident 3-1 victory against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield - to see them level on points with league leaders Cardiff and brimming with confidence.

The Bluebirds have impressed with their young squad to sit in top spot, having played a game less than Bradford, and remain unbeaten so far this season.

However, the Welsh side only just clinched a draw against a dominant Stockport side with a 97th-minute equaliser last weekend as they prepare to host an in-form Bantams on Saturday (15:00 BST) in a bid to stay at the summit.

"We saw a clear sign last Saturday that we weren't at our best in trying to overcome Stockport," Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy told BBC Sport Wales.

"Bradford will be a great test for us. It's a great game coming back in front of what will be a huge crowd for us."

There was once a time when Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher and Wigan Athletic head coach Ryan Lowe worked together. Alongside each other on the pitch at Bury, behind the scenes with Plymouth Argyle.

This Saturday (12:30 BST), they become rivals and not for the first time.

They have previously met three times as opposing managers, with Schumacher leading the head-to-head with two wins; the first with former club Stoke City over Lowe's Preston, followed by last season's M61 derby victory with Bolton.

The 41-year-old would love to extend his lead in front of a home crowd but is expecting another closely-fought battle.

"We are two mates who have known each other a long time. Worked together, played together - we are friends and it's never easy coming up against your friends," Schumacher told BBC Radio Manchester.

"They've been good games in the three of them we've played. All of them have been tight, all of them have been close, so I'm sure Saturday will be no different."

Gillingham might not be leading League Two just yet but, arguably, they are the most in-form side of the fourth division.

The Gills have not lost in the league since boss Gareth Ainsworth joined them from Shrewsbury Town in March, steering them away from relegation last season and putting them equal on points at the top of the table with Swindon Town in the new campaign.

They are the only side in League Two to remain undefeated after eight games, ensuring a tough task for next opponents Newport County, who have done their fair share of losing this season.

The Exiles ended a six-game losing streak with a late draw against Tranmere Rovers last weekend and Saturday's task looks formidable against Ainsworth's Gillingham - but Newport chairman Huw Jenkins has faith in his side.

"Belief in what we are doing must be non-negotiable if we are to achieve success. Whilst we can respect our opponents, we need to fear no-one as we move forward," Jenkins told BBC Radio Wales.

"Football has grown and changed in recent years, and without doubt the standard of teams in League Two is now much higher.

"However, the principles for clubs like ours to compete and succeed remain the same: a fearless approach, solid belief and confidence in everything we do is the only way to achieve our targets in the months ahead."

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