Lampard and Rooney Clash in Exciting EFL Boxing Day Showdown

Whoever is running the show at EFL Towers has a fine touch for drama, having arranged for four of the top six sides to clash on the day after Christmas.

The top four are starting to pull away, most notably Sheffield United, who are projecting vibes of ‘inevitable promotion’—all this despite being hit with a two-point deduction before a ball was kicked in anger.

The Blades boast an invulnerable home form at Bramall Lane, having chalked up nine consecutive clean sheets, but a stern test awaits as third-placed Burnley rolls into town for a festive showdown.

Scott Parker has the Clarets buzzing, riding a wave of nine matches unbeaten, and they’re armed with the second-best away record in the division—yes, Sheffield United support, your team leads that chart too.

As we look back, it’s been a long 13 seasons since Blackburn Rovers savored the taste of Premier League action and eight since Sunderland last featured in the top tier.

Both clubs have battled their way back from the clutches of League One, with their shared dream of returning to the Premier League very much alive as they prepare to clash at Ewood Park.

John Eustace’s Blackburn enjoyed a six-game winning streak before their recent setback against Millwall but hold steady in fifth place, while fourth-placed Sunderland remain unbeaten in their last four games, with three wins earning them a shot at climbing higher.

Leeds United is maintaining their momentum in second place, though their attempts to break away from the pack were momentarily derailed by slip-ups against Millwall and Blackburn in November.

Daniel Farke now faces the task of leading his side to Stoke City, who have picked just one point from their last five outings and find themselves precariously perched just four points above the drop zone.

In the realm of football, the transition from player to manager can be a treacherous path, littered with the bodies of illustrious careers that failed to flourish in the managerial arena. Legends like Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton dabbled in management but quickly realized that renown means little when victory eludes your grasp.

Enter Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, two of England’s modern icons, now grappling with the challenges of leadership, yet neither is willing to shy away from the spotlight as they clash for the first time as managers.

“I have known Wayne well for many years now, have full respect for him, and I look forward to seeing him,” Lampard candidly stated this week.

“It was an absolute pleasure to play with him for England – and to play against him. He was a Premier League and England great, and his numbers and performances should never be understated. The level of player he was, was incredible.”

Lampard’s 11-month hiatus from management came to an end last month as he took on the challenge of inheriting the reins at Coventry City from the much-admired Mark Robins and so far has secured seven points from his first five fixtures.

Rooney’s managerial path has been more tumultuous; his swift return to management came on the heels of a disheartening chapter at Birmingham City, but that has not dissuaded Plymouth Argyle from giving him a shot in May.

However, a dismal stretch of seven games without a victory has left the cameras trained squarely on the former Manchester United forward, and despite a spirited 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough that did little to lift Argyle off the bottom rung of the Championship festivities, it perhaps holds a flicker of hope for supporters yearning for a turnaround.

Regardless of the outcome, expect the press box at the Coventry Building Society Arena to be rife with anticipation as these two giants of the game converge!

Unlike Plymouth, both Oxford United and Cardiff City have opted to change their managerial staff this season, but fate sends them head-to-head on Thursday, both entangled in relegation battles.

The U’s made the surprising decision to part ways with Des Buckingham, despite his success in guiding the club back to the second tier after a lengthy 25-year absence.

His successor is the seasoned Gary Rowett, who faces an uphill battle after last weekend’s 4-0 hammering at Leeds, leaving Oxford with a paltry one point from their last seven outings.

Rowett’s imminent clash against Cardiff has all the hallmarks of a six-pointer, with the Bluebirds hovering just above Oxford, solely on goal difference, and desperately seeking a victory after a nine-game winless streak.

Hull City managed to clamber out of the relegation zone with a late win over Swansea, and now face a Preston North End side that has managed just one win from their last dozen league matches. Meanwhile, Portsmouth, fresh off a 4-1 demolition of Coventry City, seeks to hand Watford their first defeat at home this season.

Amidst the glamour and spotlight illuminating League One, it’s Stockport County who showcase the division’s leading scorer—at least for the next three matches.

Louie Barry, with his 14 goals, has been pivotal in propelling last season’s League Two champions into a commendable fifth place within the third tier.

Since joining on loan from Aston Villa in the summer of 2023, the dynamic forward has netted 24 goals across 44 appearances for Dave Challinor’s squad.

His return to Villa for evaluation by coach Unai Emery looms, but he leaves Stockport fans with a trio of potential match-winning displays before heading back, starting at fourth-placed Huddersfield Town.

The Terriers stand proudly atop the division’s form table over the past six games and are firmly in the race for automatic promotion.

Birmingham City grabbed the summit of the League One table on Monday, courtesy of Jay Stansfield’s 11th league goal of the season against Crawley, as they gear up for a clash with struggling Burton Albion.

Second-placed Wycombe Wanderers have emerged as this season’s surprise package, remaining unbeaten away since the opening day as they prepare for a fixture against Stevenage.

In the north-west, a rematch of last season’s play-off semi-finals sees Bolton hosting Barnsley. Last season saw Wanderers emerge victorious, but both teams currently linger outside the playoff positions—eighth facing ninth, with the Tykes aiming to break a troubling run of one win in the last seven outings.

Among League Two’s fixtures, a pair of matchups stands out; one at each end of the table, revealing the narrative threads spiraling in contention.

Walsall against Doncaster Rovers features a titanic clash as top meets third. Riding an impressive 11-game unbeaten run, including four consecutive victories, the Saddlers are a force to be reckoned with.

Nathan Lowe’s ten league goals have garnered significant attention, and his potential recall by parent club Stoke could unsettle Walsall’s hopes within the months ahead.

Doncaster, initially touted as favorites for promotion, are still in the hunt despite stumbling recently, with just two wins in their last seven encounters as their early-season momentum faded.

Meanwhile, those affiliated with Carlisle United and Morecambe brace themselves for an all-important clash as the EFL’s bottom two squads meet to fend off relegation to the National League.

Managers typically downplay the stakes in such games, yet Carlisle’s Mike Williamson has not shied from emphasizing the significance of this encounter.

“I don’t need to quantify this game, it’s huge,” Williamson told BBC Radio Cumbria.

The Cumbrians carry the weight of relegation with haunting memories from 2004, while Morecambe have only known EFL competition since winning the play-offs in 2007.

As festivities come to a close, the losers at Brunton Park may find their festive cheer diminished, so perhaps extend holiday wishes a bit early!

Stay connected with all things EFL on the BBC Sport website, where dedicated live coverage will spotlight the Championship and Leagues One and Two this Boxing Day.