Championship Preview
Thursday, 11th Sep 2008 18:58

After an International break, LFW returns with a look ahead to this weekend's fixtures in the Coca Cola Championship.

After what seems an age since the last game, the Championship returns this weekend and with a full midweek programme to follow the weekend, the games are coming thick and fast.

Well, with four games now played, I don’t think even Nottingham Forest fans would have predicted that Derby would be sitting rock bottom. Early days I know, but the Rams are/were many peoples favourites to make a swift return following their relegation from the Premier League last year. But so far, Derby have picked up just one point – and a creditable one it was too, away at Bristol City. But it gets no easy for Paul Jewell’s men as Sheffield United travel to Pride Park. An interesting fixture to say the least and it is the one that Sky Sports have chosen for the early evening kick off.

Two of the Championship’s unbeaten sides come together at Ninian Park as Cardiff take on Bristol City. With a win and a draw from Cardiff’s home games and two straight league wins on the road for the Robins, this has the makings of a very good fixture indeed.

The teams currently occupying the top two slots both have tricky looking away games with Wolves travelling to Charlton and Preston visiting the atmosphere-less Ricoh Arena to take on Coventry.

The last 100% record of the Championship went last time out as the then leaders, Birmingham were fortunate to get away from Norwich with only a point. The Blues this week are back at St Andrews and will fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways as Doncaster are the visitors. Norwich and their fans however, have a long and awkward trip to Devon to take on Plymouth at Home Park, with both sides still looking for their first league wins. I’m surprised the lovely people at the FA didn’t make this one midweek.More will follow on this in the weeks to come, I have no doubt at all…

The two other winless sides in the division are Palace and Burnley. Both sides take on newly promoted sides who have settled in well to life in the Championship. Palace take on 7th placed Swansea and Burnley have a trip to Nottingham Forest. Ipswich v Reading is another fixture that catches the eye, with fortress Portman Road well and truly breached this season, Reading will fancy their chances of gaining their first away win of the season.

Championship Fixtures in Full;

Saturday, 13 September, 2008

All fixtures kick off at 3pm unless stated

Birmingham City v Doncaster Rovers

Blackpool v Barnsley

Cardiff City v Bristol City

Charlton Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Coventry City v Preston North End

Crystal Palace v Swansea City

Derby County v Sheffield United 17:20

Ipswich Town v Reading

Nottingham Forest v Burnley