The English Football League returns this weekend with a packed schedule that could reshape the promotion picture across the Championship, League One and League Two.

The standout fixture arrives in south Wales, where Championship leaders Swansea host high-flying West Ham on Saturday at 15:00 BST. Vitor Matos's Swansea side have won four consecutive matches either side of the international break, including a dramatic late winner at Millwall on Tuesday, and sit top of the table for the first time in 16 years since their last promotion. They boast the division's tightest defence, having conceded just seven goals all season and remaining unbeaten at home, with only two goals let in across five matches on their own patch.

West Ham, under Nuno Espirito Santo and among the favourites to bounce straight back to the Premier League, sit four points behind in third after thrashing nine-man Lincoln 6-0 in midweek. The Hammers have scored a remarkable 29 goals in just 10 games, the most of any side in England's top four divisions, though they have found themselves behind in eight of 13 matches in all competitions this term. They remain unbeaten away from home in the league, setting up a fascinating contest between the division's most potent attack and its stingiest defence.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers meet on Saturday with both clubs enjoying unexpected positions near the top of the table. Chris Davies's Birmingham, who have not reached the Premier League since 2009, surged to fourth place after a 4-0 demolition of struggling Preston in midweek, extending their unbeaten run to four matches and 10 points. QPR, managed by Julien Stephan, sit just below them in fifth on goal difference after ending a run of four straight draws with a 4-1 victory over Derby. Rangers have not lost on the road in five league outings, conceding just four goals in that stretch.

Leicester City face a testing home assignment against Doncaster Rovers, with Russell Martin's side under mounting pressure following three defeats in their last four home games, including a 3-1 loss to Peterborough last weekend that prompted fans to call for the manager's removal. Martin insisted afterward there would be "no quick fix" to the club's problems, while midfielder John Lundstram admitted the team has been playing with "anxiety" in front of their own supporters. Leicester remain unbeaten away from home, where they have collected six of their nine league points, but currently sit 17th, just a point above the relegation zone. Doncaster, managed by Grant McCann, arrive in good form having won three straight matches without conceding.

League One's promotion race remains remarkably tight, with just four points separating the top seven clubs. Leaders Plymouth Argyle host Huddersfield Town on Saturday, with the Terriers sitting three points off top spot after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against Sheffield Wednesday in their last outing. Second-placed Bradford face Stevenage, while Stockport, Cambridge and Reading also have opportunities to climb the table against lower-half opposition.

League Two is similarly congested, with the top 14 teams separated by only seven points. Leaders Salford City host bottom club Crawley Town in a fixture with recent history, having won a thrilling 4-3 contest last November before a goalless draw in the reverse fixture cost Salford automatic promotion last season. Unbeaten Barnet, second in the table, travel to Tranmere, while Crewe and Gillingham also look to maintain their strong starts.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport.