LOCAL EFL PREVIEWS

STOKE City make the trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town as Town supporters get their first chance to see Championship football since the 2018-19 season.

Both teams have started well with Ipswich winning their opening game at Sunderland where they took a 2-1 victory and followed it up with a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

City have also started brightly with wins over Rotherham in the opening league game of the season running out 4-1 victors and they followed it up with a 2-1 victory over West Bromich Albion in the Carabao Cup.

Ipswich have not lost an opening league game at home for eleven seasons while should Stoke continue their momentum and pick all three points on Saturday they would achieve a feat not seen since 2007-08 season and that is to win their opening two league games of a campaign and if they do Stoke will be hoping that the similarities of that particular season will continue as they were promoted to the Premier League.

PORT Vale kick-off their home league campaign when they entertain Reading at Vale Park.

The Valiants suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat against Barnsley at Oakwell last weekend, but they did bounce back with a confidence boosting 3-2 victory over Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Reading also lost their opening league match with a 1-0 defeat at home to Peterborough, but as the Vale, Reading gained a 4-0 victory at the New Den beating Millwall 4-0 and many feel the Valiants may just edge to victory in this encounter.

CREWE Alexandra travel to the county Ground where they will face Swindon Town.

The Alex have had an eventful start to the season as they came from behind last weekend to get a draw against Mansfield Town with the Railwaymen trailing 2-0 at one stage. The Cheshire side then made the long trek North to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday and took the lead on the stroke of half-time before Sunderland equalised in the second half to take the match to penalties in which Crewe beat the Championship side 5-3 on penalties the Alex scoring all five of their penalties.

Swindon have not started their league season after their match at Colchester was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and then they lost their midweek Carabao Cup game 2-1 to Peterborough at London Road.

Town have a good home record against the Alex who will be looking to come away from the County Ground with something from the match.