Essential EFL

Episodes page 1 of 6

1. Hammers close in on the top, Birmingham hitting form & can Preston turn things around?

   22 Oct 2026 · 39 min

   Sim is joined by Andy Hinchcliffe on this week's episode of Essential EFL to take a look at the big talking points in the Championship. They discuss West Ham and Birmingham's form towards the top of the table - could…

2. A Savage blow for Leicester & a Duff start for Bradford

   15 Oct 2026 · 49 min

   Simeon Gholam is joined by Ben Tozer and Sam Parkin to look at all the latest news and talking points from League One and Two on this episode of the Essential EFL podcast. They discuss Robbie Savage winning his first…

3. The Championship returns with a blockbuster weekend!

   8 Oct 2026 · 23 min

   Sim is joined by David Prutton on this week's episode of the Essential EFL podcast. The pair look ahead to the big return of the Championship after the international break, and Prutts makes his predictions for some…

4. Ryan Lowe on his time at Wigan & Preston, & the latest EFL news wrap

   1 Oct 2026 · 1 h 06 min

   Simeon Gholam is joined by Ryan Lowe on this week's episode of Essential EFL. We take a look at Lowe's recent managerial career, including his spells at Wigan and Preston, and ask him what's next. David Stowell then…

5. Swans flying high, West Ham and Wolves finding their groove & what's going wrong at Burnley?

   24 Sep 2026 · 54 min

   Sim is joined by Andy Hinchcliffe and Billy Sharp on this week's episode of Essential EFL. They take a look at the start of the Championship season with Swansea City leading the way as we head into the first…

6. Feisty derbies, trouble at the bottom & a "reality check" for Wrexham

   17 Sep 2026 · 30 min

   Sim is joined by David Prutton on this week's episode of the Essential EFL podcast. They discuss the big news from the Championship and take a look at why Burnley and Preston find themselves at the bottom of the…

7. From nightmare starts to positivity at last & the first managerial sacking

   10 Sep 2026 · 37 min

   Sim is joined by Ben Tozer and David Stowell to take a look at the latest news and talking points from League One on this episode of the Essential EFL podcast. They discuss Leicester City's nightmare start to life in…

8. Bristol Rovers top League Two! Plus, training ground 'curses' and finally getting off the mark

   3 Sep 2026 · 41 min

   Sim is joined by former EFL striker Sam Parkin and commentator David Stowell to take a look at how the League Two season has begun. With four games gone there are no 100% records, but a host of teams will be pleased…

9. 'Destination' Millwall and should West Ham & Leicester be worried?

   27 Aug 2026 · 27 min

   Sim is back with David Prutton on this week's episode of the Essential EFL podcast. They discuss Millwall's excellent start to the season and whether West Ham and Leicester City should be concerned by their openings…

10. What did we learn from the Championship opening weekend? Plus Prutts makes his predictions...

    20 Aug 2026 · 31 min

    Sim is joined by David Prutton for the first time this season on the latest episode of the Essential EFL podcast. They take a look back at the opening round of Championship fixtures and predict what will happen in the…

11. 2026/27 season preview! Star players, new managers & playoff changes!

    12 Aug 2026 · 1 h 07 min

    Simeon is back with the Essential EFL podcast's season preview for the 2026-27 campaign. In the first half of the episode he's joined by Curtis Davies and Luke Chambers to take a look at the teams who could be…

12. Play-off finals review! Hull, Bolton & Notts County promoted!

    28 May 2026 · 53 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Sky Sports EFL pundits to look back at three dramatic play-off finals. Andy Hinchcliffe and Gary Weaver join to discuss the Championship play-off final, as Hull City beat Middlesbrough.…

13. League Two final review: Notts County ease past Salford to seal promotion

    25 May 2026 · 6:05

    Simeon Gholam is joined pitchside by Aaron McLean at Wembley for an immediate review of the League Two play-off final, as Notts County beat Salford 3-0 to reach League One. - •You can watch the EFL action live on Sky…

14. League One final review: Bolton overwhelm Stockport to seal promotion to Championship!

    24 May 2026 · 8:05

    Simeon Gholam is joined pitchside by Andy Hinchcliffe at Wembley for an immediate review of the League One play-off final, as Bolton beat Stockport 4-1 to reach the Championship. - •You can watch the EFL action live…

15. Championship final review: The McBurnie final! Hull beat Middlesbrough to reach Premier League

    23 May 2026 · 10 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined pitchside by Don Goodman at Wembley for an immediate review of the Championship play-off final, as Hull beat Middlesbrough 1-0 to win and reach the Premier League. - •You can watch the EFL…

16. Championship final preview!

    21 May 2026 · 27 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Luke Chambers and Gary Weaver to look ahead to the Championship play-off final between Hull and Middlesbrough. They assess the strangest build-up to a play-off final in history following the…

17. League One and Two: The finals are here! Who will be promoted?

    19 May 2026 · 29 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Aaron McLean and Ben Tozer to review the League One and Two play-offs. The panel look back at the semi-finals, and then ahead to the finals at Wembley and try to predict who will be…

18. Championship semis review! Spygate, late goals and unlikely winners

    13 May 2026 · 41 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Andy Hinchcliffe and Tommy Smith to look back at two dramatic play-off semi-finals. They assess Southampton's win over Middlesbrough, then Hull's victory against Millwall, what it all means…

19. League One and Two play-off semi-finals preview!

    7 May 2026 · 42 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Aaron McLean and David Stowell to look ahead to the League One and Two play-off semi-finals. The panel starts by looking ahead to the League One semi-finals: Stevenage vs Stockport & Bolton…

20. Championship play-off semi-finals preview!

    5 May 2026 · 42 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Don Goodman and Andy Hinchcliffe to preview the Championship play-off semi-finals. The panel looks ahead at all the talking points for Hull vs Millwall and Middlesbrough vs Southampton, and…

21. EFL Final Day preview! Promotions, relegations & permutations...

    30 Apr 2026 · 52 min

    Simeon is joined by Andy Hinchcliffe, David Prutton (briefly), Aaron McLean and David Stowell to preview the final day of the EFL's regular season. They discuss who will seal the final automatic promotion spot out of…

22. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 45

    23 Apr 2026 · 23 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and Gary Weaver take a look ahead at Gameweek 45 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Leicester vs Millwall, West Brom vs Ipswich, Charlton vs Hull, Middlesbrough vs Watford,…

23. 'Five in Five' EFL Stories: Five interviews, five players, five minutes!

    21 Apr 2026 · 27 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by five different EFL players for five minutes apiece, as he speaks to Derby's Ben Brereton Diaz, Portsmouth's Terry Devlin, Preston's Jamal Lewis, Watford's Imran Louza and Stoke's Steven…

24. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 43

    16 Apr 2026 · 25 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and Tommy Smith take a look ahead at Gameweek 43 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Blackburn vs Coventry, Portsmouth vs Leicester, Derby vs Oxford, Millwall vs QPR,…

25. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 42

    9 Apr 2026 · 22 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 42 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… West Brom vs Millwall, Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich vs Ipswich, QPR vs…

26. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Good Friday!

    2 Apr 2026 · 19 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 40 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Middlesbrough vs Millwall, Leicester vs Preston, Norwich vs Portsmouth, Oxford vs…

27. Championship Catch-up: The run-in is here! Who will go up, down & make the play-offs?

    26 Mar 2026 · 52 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Andy Hinchcliffe and Tommy Smith to take a look at all the latest action from the Championship. They assess Coventry's march towards the Premier League, and the sides vying for promotion and…

28. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 39

    19 Mar 2026 · 18 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 39 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Preston vs Stoke, Ipswich vs Millwall, Blackburn vs Middlesbrough, Derby vs…

29. League One & Two review: Hirings, firings and who can still make the play-offs?

    12 Mar 2026 · 45 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Aaron McLean and David Stowell on League One and Two review on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. The panel assess Northampton Town's sacking of Kevin Nolan, Leyton Orient's struggles…

30. 'Five in Five' EFL Stories: Five interviews, five players, five minutes!

    10 Mar 2026 · 30 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by five different EFL players for five minutes apiece, as he speaks to Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway, Preston's Daniel Jebbison, Blackpool's Ashley Fletcher, Leyton Orient's Dominic Ballard and…

31. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 36

    5 Mar 2026 · 18 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 36 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Preston vs Oxford, Blackburn vs Portsmouth, Hull vs Millwall, QPR vs Middlesbrough,…

32. League One & Two review: Are Cardiff and Lincoln destined for the Championship?

    26 Feb 2026 · 38 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Aaron McLean and Ben Tozer on League One and Two review on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. The panel assess whether League One pacesetters Cardiff City and Lincoln City are destined…

33. 'Five in Five' EFL Stories: Five interviews, five players, five minutes!

    24 Feb 2026 · 30 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by five different EFL players for five minutes apiece, as he speaks to Millwall's Jake Cooper, QPR's Nicolas Madsen, Sheffield Wednesday's Charlie McNeill, Bristol City's Emil Riis and Swansea…

34. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 33

    19 Feb 2026 · 24 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 33 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Blackburn vs Preston, West Brom vs Coventry, Hull vs QPR, Stoke vs Leicester, Swansea…

35. Championship Catch-up: Boro buoyant & concerns for Coventry

    12 Feb 2026 · 1 h 00 min

    Simeon Gholam, Curtis Davies and Andy Hinchcliffe take a look at all the latest action from the Championship. The panel assess Middlesbrough's march to the top, Coventry's concerning dip, Millwall's march, the race…

36. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 31

    5 Feb 2026 · 21 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 31 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Charlton vs QPR, Derby vs Ipswich, Norwich vs Blackburn, Southampton vs Watford,…

37. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 30

    29 Jan 2026 · 24 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and Tommy Smith take a look ahead at Gameweek 30 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Bristol City vs Derby, Stoke vs Southampton, Leicester vs Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday…

38. League One and Two review: Runaway leaders & new managers

    22 Jan 2026 · 40 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Aaron McLean and David Stowell on League One and Two review on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. The panel look at Lincoln City's impressive recent run and their place in the League One…

39. 'Five in Five' EFL Stories: Five interviews, five players, five minutes!

    20 Jan 2026 · 30 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by five different EFL players for five minutes apiece, as he speaks to Stoke's Sorba Thomas, Birmingham's Kai Wagner, Coventry's Ellis Simms, Swansea's Ethan Galbraith and Norwich's Harry…

40. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 27

    15 Jan 2026 · 16 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 27 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… West Brom vs Middlesbrough, Coventry vs Leicester, Ipswich vs Blackburn, Watford vs…

41. Championship Catch-up: Festive season wrapped!

    8 Jan 2026 · 47 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Jobi McAnuff and Tommy Smith to look back on all the festive action from the Championship. The panel assess Coventry's wobble, how the promotion race has unfolded, Ryan Mason's sacking by…

42. Championship Catch-up: How will the promotion race unfold over Christmas?

    23 Dec 2025 · 41 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Don Goodman and Andy Hinchcliffe to look ahead to how the promotion race in the Championship may unfold over a hectic Christmas fixture list. The panel assess whether anyone can catch…

43. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 22

    18 Dec 2025 · 18 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 22 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Swansea vs Wrexham, Southampton vs Coventry, Blackburn vs Millwall, Preston vs Norwich,…

44. League One and Two review: Can Bradford go back-to-back? Bristol Rovers in the mire

    11 Dec 2025 · 28 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Aaron McLean and David Stowell on League One and Two review on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. The panel look at Bradford's ambitions to achieve back-to-back promotion's, Doncaster's…

45. 'Five in Five' EFL Stories: Five interviews, five players, five minutes!

    9 Dec 2025 · 30 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by five different EFL players for five minutes apiece, as he speaks to Leicester's Jordan James, Stoke's Million Manhoef, Derby's Bobby Clark, Bradford's Josh Neufville and Colchester's Charlton…

46. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 19

    4 Dec 2025 · 17 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 19 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Hull vs Middlesbrough, Derby vs Leicester, Charlton vs Portsmouth, Watford vs Norwich,…

47. League One and Two review: Cardiff challenging & can Fuchs save Newport?

    27 Nov 2025 · 28 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Ben Tozer and Dave Edwards on League One and Two review on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. The panel look at Cardiff's impressive season so far, Port Vale's struggles in League One,…

48. 'Five in Five' EFL Stories: Five interviews, five players, five minutes!

    25 Nov 2025 · 29 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by five different EFL players for five minutes apiece, as he speaks to Hull's Joe Gelhardt, Portsmouth's Colby Bishop, Bristol City's Anis Mehmeti, Stevenage's Dan Kemp and Huddersfield's…

49. Sky Sports Championship Predictions: Gameweek 16

    20 Nov 2025 · 21 min

    Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 16 of the Sky Bet Championship season. Running order… Preston vs Blackburn, Coventry vs West Brom, Bristol City vs Swansea, Charlton vs…

50. Championship Catch-up: Sacking season, Edwards goes & Coventry charging

    13 Nov 2025 · 44 min

    Simeon Gholam is joined by Luke Chambers and Curtis Davies to look back on all the latest from the Championship. The panel assess Rob Edwards' departure from Middlesbrough, as well as Norwich, Swansea and Southampton…