Among all the cherished traditions in British sports, football’s Boxing Day stands out. While the Premier League may not fully engage in these celebrations, the English Football League (EFL) embraces the festivities wholeheartedly. All 24 teams in the EFL Championship will take to the pitch on Boxing Day, with Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, and CBS Sports Golazo Network serving as the primary platforms for viewers to catch all the action on December 26th.
Few leagues are as dynamic as the Championship, which is about to hit its halfway mark with the upcoming matches. If you’ve missed the recent developments in the second division, especially given the rapid changes that have occurred, here’s a snapshot of key updates from the league.
1. Coventry City Poised for Premier League Return
In the unpredictable world of the Championship, certain clubs often break away from the pack to chase promotion. Despite a recent dip in form with one win, two draws, and one loss in their last four outings, Coventry City appears to be on the right track. With 48 points, they sit comfortably six points ahead of second-placed Middlesbrough and 11 points clear of the playoff spots. Remarkably, only a fifth-tier National League team has outscored them this season, and their goal difference is the best across the top four divisions. In fact, only Arsenal (from the Premier League to League 2) has an expected non-penalty goal difference (npxGD) per game that surpasses Coventry’s.
It’s important to note that their recent performance was bolstered by teams like Southampton and Ipswich Town, who have had the advantage of Premier League funding and parachute payments to strengthen their squads. Coventry’s resilience was evident in their draw against Southampton, where they played a significant portion with ten men and exhibited commendable fighting spirit. However, an illness struck their defense, complicating matters as rival fans celebrated their result.
On Boxing Day, Coventry will aim to steer clear of further drama as they face Swansea, a squad just managing to escape the relegation zone. Following matches against Ipswich and Birmingham, if all goes well, Coventry could be poised for a Premier League comeback. They’ve been targeting this goal consistently in recent years, having narrowly missed out on promotion in the 2023 playoff final and again last season after a close loss in the semifinals.
This team seems determined to bypass the playoff bottleneck, and under the guidance of manager Frank Lampard since November 2024, they’ve built upon their previous successes. Defender Joel Latibaudiere shared with BBC CWR, “Many of us have been together for three years now… We’ve been knocking on the door for a long time.” He highlighted that their success stems from teamwork and dedication, which is reinforced in their daily training. With this camaraderie, the team’s prospects are looking exceptionally bright.
2. Norwich Faces Challenges
As many neutral spectators entered this Championship season, there was concern that some teams relegated from the Premier League might struggle, reminiscent of the 2024-25 season. That concern seems to be materializing, as teams like Ipswich are regaining momentum after a rocky start, while Southampton’s playoff aspirations appear to be waning following a series of peculiar match endings that led to a coaching change. Leicester, often viewed as one of the most talented squads in the league, has faced several challenges off the field, including penalties relating to financial violations. Under the struggling leadership of coach Marti Sifuentes, Leicester has not yet performed to its potential despite its impressive roster.
Norwich hasn’t lived up to the expectations set for them among the top six teams despite being a middle-tier squad for the past three seasons. Though they have lost key players like Borja Sainz and Callum Doyle since their Premier League exit, they still possess Josh Sargent. Sporting director Ben Knapper was expected to revitalize the team under newly appointed manager Liam Manning, who previously guided Bristol City to a sixth-place finish.
This season, however, has deteriorated significantly for Norwich. Manning was let go in November, and even with the recent managerial change, the team only managed one more point than penalized Sheffield Wednesday. Their performance issues include offering opponents too many quality chances while struggling with their own conversion rate. The appointment of Philippe Clement has slightly improved their outputs, but defensive vulnerabilities persist, with their goalkeeper being one of the few bright spots on a struggling squad. Currently placed 22nd in the Championship with 18 points, Norwich cannot afford to overlook their own shortcomings if they wish to steer clear of relegation.
Match Details: Boxing Day Fixtures
Times are in US/Eastern
- Birmingham City vs. Derby County, 7:30 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Millwall vs. Ipswich Town, 8:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Coventry City vs. Swansea City, 10:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Leicester City vs. Watford, 10:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn Rovers, 10:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Norwich City vs. Charlton Athletic, 10:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Oxford United vs. Southampton, 10:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Stoke City vs. Preston North End, 10:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Network
- West Bromwich Albion vs. Bristol City, 10:00 AM ➡️ Paramount+
- Wrexham vs. Sheffield United, 12:30 PM ➡️ Paramount+
3. The Fight for Playoffs Intensifies
The gap between promotion contenders and those in relegation danger remains tight enough to create significant shifts within the league. For instance, Blackburn Rovers find themselves in 20th place, under pressure from ownership issues but still only 12 points away from third-placed Ipswich. A single match can dramatically alter positions across the division.
Take Charlton, for example. After being painted as a team with slim playoff chances at the end of October, their five consecutive losses have relegated them to 17th place. Meanwhile, Sheffield United is emerging from a relegation battle and might even aspire to crack the top six.
Nathan Jones discusses the secret behind Charlton’s success, stating, ‘Many teams emulate Man City but still don’t win.’
— James Benge
Several teams in the division’s upper tiers lack the stability needed to ensure their positions. Hull, Preston North End, and to some extent, Millwall are among these. Conversely, Birmingham City creates numerous scoring opportunities, yet their poor away performance has raised concerns about head coach Chris Davies’s future. They are one of several clubs under the pressure to achieve Premier League status soon due to sporting ambitions and the need for enhanced content, especially given their ambitious plans for a 60,000-seater stadium.
Wrexham’s ownership, sitting just one point behind Birmingham and seven from the playoff spots, displays a long-term vision, yet promotion to the Premier League seems essential to sustaining their streaming service. Would they once again invest heavily if they see a clear path to the playoffs?
The Championship’s allure lies in questions that resonate with many teams across the league. While Birmingham and Ipswich seem like they might solidify their upper standings, the rest are merely a few breaks away from a trip to Wembley.
4. American Talent in the Spotlight
The Championship has become an attractive destination for American players, likely drawn by the potential for progression to the most competitive leagues in club football. Aidan Morris has emerged as one of the standout performers in the second tier, and if he regains his fitness and form in January, he might be a key player for manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Another intriguing aspect is the competition for forward positions on the U.S. World Cup roster next summer. Six out of the ten American players in the Championship this season are forwards, indicating shifts in squad selection are likely. Haji Wright has been recognized for his adaptability and goal-scoring ability, yet he might find competition from Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi tough.
Minutes for players like Daryl Dike and Damion Downs are scarce, while Charlie Kellman, who last represented the U.S. Under-20s in 2019, has struggled with just two goals for Charlton this season. However, Patrick Agyemang stands out as a potential contender, with performances justifying the hefty $10 million fee Derby County paid for him. His recent shot and goal averages should attract Pochettino’s interest, leading to expectations for a spot in the March friendly.
Josh Sargent, who played a pivotal role in the last World Cup cycle, finds himself uncertain about his position ahead of 2026. Despite being one of the Championship’s leading strikers last season, his form has suffered due to Norwich’s challenges, raising questions about his future as the January transfer window approaches.
Will Sargent aim for a top-division move, possibly to West Ham, among the clubs reportedly interested in him? Or will he trust Norwich’s recovery, knowing they might maximize his talents? With Pochettino’s watchful eye and the ongoing season unfolding, many questions remain unanswered that could reshape the Championship landscape.
Fan Take: The upcoming Boxing Day matches present an exciting opportunity for teams to solidify their postseason aspirations while fans get a thrilling day of football. As clubs like Coventry strive for promotion and others like Norwich fight to stay afloat, the stakes are high, potentially reshaping their fates and the overall landscape of English football.
