October is coming to a close, and with the spookiness growing day by day before we hit Halloween, there is no place to hide from the sporting action, as once again it’s a bumper week of drama.

Tuesday, 20th October, EFL League One: Burton Albion v Bradford City 19:45

League One action kicks off the weekdays as the Bantams leave West Yorkshire in search of a continued stay at the top of the league, heading to the midlands for a meeting with mid-table Burton.

Bradford may have lost manager Graham Alexander in the last few weeks, but that has not slowed their progress, as new head coach Michael Duff is unbeaten in his first three matches.
The former Huddersfield and Barnsley bosses got off to a relatively slow start with back-to-back draws against Reading and Leyton Orient. Bit captured his maiden win at the weekend in a 2-0 home victory over Stevenage.

That win was the Bantams' sixth win in their opening ten league matches, a great record and momentum builder, especially at this moment when they have not tasted defeat since the first of September.

Their positive form has put them at the top of the table but with a shaky points gap of just one to the chasing pack, where the rest of the top five sit.

Standing in their way from a prolonged stay at the top is Burton Albion, a side that is sitting in tenth and hoping to slowly creep towards the playoff picture.

If they are to do so, they need to pick up the pace, as the Brewers have only won three from 11 and are at risk of dropping as far as the 16th if the teams below them win their games in hand.

Their last win came in late September, when they took home the three points away to Plymouth; since then, they have gone winless in three, with back-to-back losses to Huddersfield and Doncaster, before drawing with Peterborough.

Duff will be hoping he can continue his unbeaten run against Burton, and with their form hitting a decline, it could be the perfect opportunity for the start of a run for the new boss.

Date: 20/10/2026
Time: 19:45
Venue: Pirelli Stadium, Burton Upon Trent
The match will be shown on Sky Sports+.




Thursday 22nd October Tri-Nation Series: England v Sri Lanka 09:00

The Tri Nation Series is on the horizon and set to pit three powerhouses of cricket together for a rare three-nation tournament for the three Lions.

This will be England’s first ODI tri-series since 2015, where they faced off with Australia and India prior to the World Cup.
After Pakistan and Sri Lanka opened the tournament in style on Sunday, it will be the turn of England, who will play the hosts, Pakistan, in Lahore on Tuesday prior to a meeting with Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The first match will be a strong baseline as to not only feeling heading into Thursday, but also of the tournament as a whole, as spirits may be flying high after a successful time in the capital, or it could be a redemption needed if it is more of a stumbling performance or even a loss.

The biggest news from the England squad selection is that Adil Rashid of Yorkshire CC returns from a hand injury to make the squad, as well as Sam Curran, who has recovered from an injured groin.

Star Jofra Archer has been rested, whilst Joe Buttler will not take to the field due to a hamstring strain. Two uncapped inclusions are Sussex pair James Coles and Henry Crocombe, who will be fresh-faced debutants in what could prove to be an exciting tournament.

Date: 22/10/2026
Time: 09:00
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
The match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket



Friday 23rd October EFL Championship: Bolton Wanderers v Middlesbrough 20:00

The week ends with a Championship clash between a Middlesbrough side hoping to creep into the top two and Bolton, who could close the gap between them and the playoff spots.

Boro have picked up where they left off from last season, where they were in the hint for promotion before being beaten in the playoff final. With six wins and just one loss in 11 matches, accruing 22 points and currently sitting in third.

The Teesiders have been on a stellar run of form, with just one league loss in their last nine matches, with their last loss being all the way back in late August.

The only slide in consistency has been their recent habit of picking up draws, with three draws in their last five matches. It was the same story at the weekend, as Boro again picked up a single point but in extenuating circumstances, as they fought back bravely from two goals down to eventually draw 2-2 with Cardiff.

That extra point bumped them above Birmingham in fourth and has now left them level on points with West Ham in third and just one from Swansea, who are in top spot.

They will be hopeful of more progress and even a place at the summit of the league with a win over Bolton, a side that is themselves in desperate need of a win.

The Wanderers are currently in 15th spot with 14 points, a tally that, although unspectacular, is a fine start for a side that made it through the League One playoffs last season.

After a rocky early September period where Bolton lost four consecutive matches, they have since picked up three wins and just one loss in their last five. The statement result of their recent run was last week, where they travelled to newly relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers and left with a 3-1 victory.

Another solid result was captured last week as, once again in the road, Bolton earned a draw with top six side Southampton at St Marys.

A win against Boro could see them left just one point outside the playoffs and well within the hint for the long season ahead. But that is no easy task against a Middlesbrough side that will be difficult to beat and full of confidence.

Date: 23/10/2026
Time: 20:00
Venue: Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton
The match will be shown on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event