November is somehow here already, and that means the air is getting chillier, but the sporting calendar is only heating up, with teams from across the country entering a busy festive period that could make or break their season.

This week we explore a multitude of cases in which they are hoping for an easy transition to the conclusion of 2025 and look forward to a continuation or improvement of fortunes.

Monday 3rd November Premier League: Sunderland v Everton 20:00

The top-tier surprise package in Sunderland will be looking to extend their miraculous early run in the Premier League, which has them pushing for the top six. They await the arrival of strugglers Everton, who are looking to create space between them and the bottom three.

With five wins from nine games, the Black Cats have successfully transitioned back into the Premier League. This performance stands in stark contrast to the past couple of seasons where the newly promoted sides have struggled from the beginning to the end.

That curse seems to be broken with all three promoted sides above the drop zone, but Sunderland have exceeded that expectation and now look up rather than down the league, especially after their last fixture where they defeated Chelsea 2-1 away at Stamford Bridge.

Everton are one side that are looking behind them, with the Toffees sitting just five points above the drop zone and only separated from the relegation zone by the other newly promoted sides. David Moyes’ return as manager has been overall fruitful so far, but this campaign has not started with the required results.

The Blues are reeling from back-to-back defeats against Spurs and Man City which saw them score zero goals, but with performances still satisfying from players such as Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, there is enough firepower for them to still get the job done, and a victory over Sunderland would quell current concerns coming from the blue half of Merseyside.

Date: 03/11/2025

Time: 20:00

Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland

The match will be shown on NOW TV, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Main Event.

 

Tuesday 4th November Sky Bet Championship: Derby County v Hull City 19:45

We enter the Championship now with a similar battle between top and bottom. Hull City have been a shock under Sergei Jakirovic, as the Tigers have shaken off last season's failings of barely surviving the drop on goal difference to now being on the periphery of the playoffs and only kept out by goal difference with them and Preston North End on 22 points.

They have been helped by a run of six games without defeat, including four wins, which has been bolstered by the form of players such as Joe Gelhardt, as the Leeds loanee youngster has scored four in those six matches and looks to be a more than solid striker in the second tier.

Derby, on the other hand, are struggling towards the bottom of the table in 17th on 17 points. Their recent run of three consecutive wins against Norwich, QPR, and Sheffield United has given them a healthy buffer of eight points between them and the relegation zone.

Derby will be hoping they can put a dent in Hull’s playoff dreams, but with the proficiency the Tigers are showing recently, it will be a hard task to usurp a team full of confidence that is only one win away from breaking down the door of the top six.

Date: 04/11/2025

Time: 19:45

Venue: Pride Park Stadium

The match will be shown on Sky Sports+.

 

Wednesday 5th November, Sky Bet Championship, Sheffield Wednesday v Norwich City, 19:45

Staying in the Championship, now we have a relegation six-pointer between the bottom two clubs in the division.

Norwich City are currently the better placed of the two on eight points, a tally that has been derided by the City faithful, as they were expecting an improvement from their already disappointing 13th-place finish last season.

Things have seemingly only gotten worse with just two wins in the league so far, a record that has some questioning whether manager and born Norwich fan Liam Manning will be at the helm for much longer.  

Their last league win came all the way back in late August, and since then only two points have been picked up, and the Canaries are currently on a dismal run of six straight defeats.

Sheffield Wednesday are in fact in a much worse position, and not just because they sit rock bottom. Due to off-field irregularities relating to their much-maligned owner, Chansiri, the Owls were placed into administration last week and were docked 12 points.

This has left one of the oldest clubs on the planet on the brink of not only performance-related decline but also extinction. If the club cannot find a suitable buyer who will put the club's and fans' interests first, it could spell the end for another community institution, which is something we have become regrettably accustomed to as of late.

The deduction has left the Owls on -5 points, which means at current standings they have a 17-point buffer between them and safety. The task seems insurmountable, but with a lot of time left in the season, there still could be a glimmer of hope, especially if a win could be added this week.

Date: 05/11/2025

Time: 19:45

Venue: Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield

The match will be shown on Sky Sports+.