Championship Preview
Thursday, 14th Aug 2008 18:53

With the season now finally under way, LFW's takes a look ahead to the second weekend of fixtures in the Coca Cola Championship

The season is in full swing now after an exciting opening week in the Championship last week. There was also a midweek programme of Carling Cup fixtures, which of course, saw the R’s progress to a home tie with Carlisle after beating Swindon 3-2 at the County Ground. However, no fewer than 7 Championship sides fell at the first hurdle to lower league opposition with Charlton, Barnsley, Plymouth, Sheffield Weds, Norwich, Blackpool and Doncaster all going out.

Some interesting games lie ahead this Saturday with Sky choosing Derby’s visit to Bristol City. The Robins started with a win, albeit with a last minute winner at Blackpool last week and the followed up with a Carling Cup win over Peterborough. Promotion contenders for many, Derby, began with a home defeat to new boys, Doncaster last Saturday and needed extra time to see off Lincoln at Pride Park midweek.

Two teams that started with defeats last week, face each other at Turf Moor as Burney take on Ipswich. Burnley were on the wrong end of an opening day, 4-1 hammering away at Sheffield Wednesday. Ipswich, who season after season, always seem to boast an almost impeccable home record, were beaten, at home, by Preston.

Promotion favourites, Birmingham, travel to St Mary’s to take on Southampton, who after escaping relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, were cruelly beaten in the last minute away at Cardiff last week. On the subject of last minute goals, Championship Goal Machine, Kevin Phillips grabbed the winner in the dying seconds for the Blues against R’s weekend opponents, Sheffield United in the Sky curtain raiser.

Elsewhere and Cardiff travel to Doncaster for Rovers first home game in the Championship. The other newly promoted teams play each other as Forest travel across the border to Swansea. Watford take on Charlton at Vicarage Road and Plymouth travel to Reading.

Championship Fixtures in Full ;

Barnsley v Coventry City

Bristol City v Derby County 17:20

Burnley v Ipswich Town

Doncaster Rovers v Cardiff City

Norwich City v Blackpool

Preston North End v Crystal Palace

Reading v Plymouth Argyle

Sheffield United v Queens Park Rangers

Southampton v Birmingham City

Swansea City v Nottingham Forest

Watford v Charlton Athletic