Quite a bit earlier than last week but still later than I'd like, this week's guide is here.
At the moment it's just match maps and Monday's previews but I'll add more detail as the days progress.
It's taken a bit longer than usual as, in their wisdom, the FA haven't published any fixture info for the latest round of the FA Youth Cup which takes place this week.
I've had to go club-by-club to find what I need but some are still yet to reply.
Aside from that, there's loads to choose from with matches at all levels in the men's and women's game.
THE WEEK AHEAD
We have matches in the Premier League, EFL, National League, FA Cup, FA Trophy, Women's Super League and FA Youth Cup among others.
As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league or youth matches. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.
Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.
Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.
It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.
MIDWEEK MATCH MAP
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Tuesday fixtures - green pin
Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin
Thursday fixtures - purple pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
WEEKEND MATCH MAP
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.
Monday 2 October
Premier League
Fulham v Chelsea @8pm - the week begins with this huge west London derby at Craven Cottage. Prior to Todd Boehly's takeover at Chelsea last season, the Cottagers hadn't beaten their neighbours in 21 attempts but then it all changed. In 2022/23, Fulham took four points off the Blues, winning the home game 2-1. On current form, you'd give them a very decent chance of winning again. Tickets are not available
SCEFL Challenge Cup First Round
SC Thamesmead v Lewisham Borough @745pm - the only non-league option of the night sees one of the First Division's top teams travel to the bottom club for what should be a routine cup win
Youth football
There are a number of games at U23 level and below today, with the FA Youth Cup (U18) ties at Abbey Rangers and Walton & Hersham being the pick of what's on offer
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Tuesday 3 October
Professional Development League
Millwall v QPR @2pm - the day begins with this fine looking derby between two of the top U21 teams at this level. What's even better is that it's being played at The Den too
League One
Charlton Athletic v Exeter City @745pm - despite going four games without defeat, the Addicks are still not out of the bottom half. Exeter sit just a point outside the play-off zone but their great start appears to be ebbing away, with their most recent loss at home to struggling to Northampton making it three defeats from their last four. Charlton also come into this with a record of five straight wins against the Grecians with the Devon club's last win at The Valley coming back in 2011. Tickets
Leyton Orient v Lincoln City @745pm - on level points with Charlton, it's a very similar story at Brisbane Road where the O's welcome a side from just outside the top six. The east London club will want to bounce back strongly after becoming the first side this season to lose to Fleetwood when they played them at the weekend. Interestingly, this is the first time the sides have played since 2006. Tickets have been reduced to just £10 and it's almost sold out as a result
League Two
Sutton United v Salford City @745pm - with only one point from their last nine league games, the U's are bottom and in desperate need of a win. Tuesday night presents them with a reasonable chance of getting some as Salford are in poor form too. With five defeats from six, they could be the team that the south London club finally get a bit of joy against. Tickets
National League
Barnet v AFC Fylde @745pm - if leaders Chesterfield lose at home to Bromley, the Bees will go top if they win here. Fylde are currently in the relegation zone with two wins from 13 games so they should be beaten
Dagenham & Redbridge v York City @745pm - the Daggers are now six without a win and only one point above the relegation zone. York are just below them, so this is a big game for both sides
FA Cup Third Round Qualifying Replay
Hornchurch v Aveley @745pm - the Urchins came from 2-0 to draw 2-2 at Parkside on Saturday as this highly anticipated tie between two local rivals didn't disappoint. Remember, Aveley play a division above Hornchurch and are in great form so it was a really impressive recovery. Which way this goes is anyone's guess but I'm expecting more drama and a big crowd. The winners can look forward to hosting Barnet in the next round
Cray Valley PM v Carshalton Athletic @745pm - it was a similar story at Colston Avenue on Saturday where CVPM, who play a level below the Robins, came from behind to force a 3-3 draw. Both sides are in good form in their respective divisions so this is another hard one to call. The winners of this one will welcome Enfield Town
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Wednesday 4 October
TRAVEL ADVISORY - AS IT STANDS, THERE IS SCHEDULED TO BE A NATIONAL RAIL AND TUBE STRIKE ON THIS DAY. ONLY BUSES, TRAMS, DLR, LONDON OVERGROUND AND ELIZABETH LINE SERVICES WILL RUN AS NORMAL
National League
Boreham Wood v Hartlepool United @745pm - after making it to the play-offs last season, The Wood are finding things tough this time round. With only two wins from 13 games, they're part of a small group of teams who sit just above the relegation zone. Hartlepool, on the other hand, made a great start but with only one win from five they've slipped out of the leading pack
FA Cup Third Round Qualifying Replay
Welling United v Gosport Borough @745pm - the Wings needed a 97th-minute equaliser on Saturday as they saved a 2-2 draw and avoided an upset against Southern League leaders Gosport. I say upset but Welling are only three places above their opponents in the pyramid and in much worse form. I don't think many people will be that surprised if they go out here. The winners will be away to Boreham Wood
Isthmian League South Central
Sutton Common Rovers v Leatherhead @745pm - playing at AFC Whyteleafe's ground, SCR have made a decent start to the season. Up in fourth at the beginning of October, I'm sure they would've taken that when the campaign started. However, their opponents are doing even better and will go top if they win this one
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Thursday 5 October
FA Youth Cup Second Round Qualifying
As is the case on most Thursdays, youth and development football takes centre stage. There are several matches on today but the best ones are in the FA Youth Cup - the country's most prestigious U18 competition. The pick of the ties for me is the derby between Barnet and Boreham Wood at The Hive, although Welling United against Ebbsfleet United is a close second
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Friday 6 October
Premier League Cup
Fulham v Leicester City @7pm - it might surprise you to know that the Cottagers' U21 side are currently second in the PL2 table, just behind Tottenham. Although this is a different competition, which is currently in its group stage, they should win here against a midtable Foxes side. The match is being played at the club's training ground in Motspur Park and you can pay on the gate
SCEFL Premier
Glebe v Stansfeld @745pm - the best non-league option is this groundshare derby in south-east London. The hosts will go top if they win whilst Stansfeld could end the weekend at the foot of the table if they lose
FA Youth Cup Second Round Qualifying
There are three more ties to finish off the week with. If you're on the east side of town, May & Baker entertain Ware at Aveley's ground. In the north New Salamis play Hertford Town at Haringey Borough and in the south west, Cobham welcome Dorking Wanderers
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Sadly I've run out of time to write previews for 7-8 October so you'll just have to rely on the maps - sorry
GET INVOLVED
If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.
NEED HELP?
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