Ben Fisher was at St Mary’s and here is his verdict:
On this evidence the Welsh club – back at this level for the first time since 1982 after an extraordinary rise from non-league – are sure to be a fun addition but how they were given a galling reminder of the step up in trip, Saints scoring twice in the final nine minutes to earn a comeback victory and a first under Will Still.
Preston North End have welcomed Morecambe fans to watch their first home game of the season against Leicester tomorrow.
The club said in a statement:
In light of the current situation at Morecambe Football Club, Preston North End are inviting Morecambe season card holders to attend next weekend’s match at Deepdale free of charge.
Here at PNE, the club has a key focus on bringing the community together, and that extends beyond just our supporters. We feel for the fans and staff of Morecambe at this uncertain time, with the future of their club in doubt, and at a time where football is back it is not right that those fans are deprived of the opportunity to watch their team.
Therefore the club are inviting all Morecambe 2025-26 season card holders to attend our Sky Bet Championship match against Leicester City on Saturday 16 August free of charge. Full details of how Morecambe fans can claim their ticket* will be confirmed on Monday 11 August.
We look forward to welcoming supporters of Morecambe next weekend and bringing the football community together at Deepdale.
*Each 2025/26 season card holder at Morecambe can claim one match ticket, free of charge.
Late goal at Charlton! Harvey Knibbs, the new signing, scores with the inside of his right boot from a corner. Watford left shaking their heads.
Still goalless at Charlton and Coventry but there is late drama at Southampton. Catch up here with John Brewin.
In League One Luton are comfortably 2-0 up against Peterborough and Huddersfield is a goal up against Reading thanks to Jack Whatmough.
Tranmere have four against Shrewsbury and Notts County have pulled one back against Salford City.
Oxford United XI: Cumming, Spencer, Moore, Helik, Leigh, Brannagan, Vaulks, Mills, Lankshear, Goodrham, Mark Harris
Portsmouth XI: Schmid, Williams, Shaughnessy, Poole, Ogilvie,
Swift, Dozzell, Segecic, Lang, Bianchini, Bishop
West Brom XI: Griffiths, Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles, Molumby, Mowatt, Fellows, Price, Grant, Heggebo
Blackburn Rovers XI: Toth, Alebiosu, Hyam, McLoughlin, Ribeiro, Travis, Tronstad, Hedges, Henriksson, De Neve, Ohashi
Stoke XI: Johansson, Tchamadeu, Lawal, Wilmot, Cresswell, Pearson, Baker, Junho, Manhoef, Thomas, Mubama
Derby XI: Widell Zetterstrom, Adams, Batth, Blackett-Taylor, Clarke, Forsyth, Goudmijn, Jackson, Morris, Nyambe, Thompson
Middlesbrough XI: Brynn, Brittain, Jones, Fry, Ayling, Morris,
Hackney, Whittaker, Burgzorg, Silvera, Conway
Swansea XI: Vigouroux, Key, Cabango, Burgess, Tymon,
Goncalo Franco, Fulton, Galbraith, Ronald, Cullen, Eom
Norwich XI: Kovacevic, Medic, Darling, Cordoba, Stacey, Wright, Topic, Schlupp, Forson, Crnac, Sargent
Millwall XI: Benda, Crama, Cooper, Tanganga, Mitchell, Ivanovic, Neghli, Azeez, Doughty, Coburn, De Norre
QPR XI: Walsh, Morrison, Dembele, Field, Celar, Chair, Poku, Morgan, Madsen, Mbengue, Esquerdinha
Preston North End XI: Iversen, Gibson, Hughes, McCann, Osmajic, Small, Smith, Storey, Thordarson, Vukcevic, Whiteman
It is not too late to have a taste of our Championship preview. Who is a shoo-in to be promoted? Who looks in trouble? Which youngsters will impress? Ben Fisher has the lowdown.
Hello and welcome to our Saturday EFL clockwatch with action from League One, League Two and the opening weekend of the Championship.
Southampton are currently trailing against Wrexham at home. Join John Brewin for MBM updates here.
Earlier we had our first matchday live and discussion is continuing below the line until 5.30pm BST.
Lots of games. Lots to look forward to. If you have any thoughts, predictions, transfer grievances or pre-match rituals you want to share, feel free to send me an email, which you can find at the top of this blog.
