After what was a very welcome International break, the Championship returns and LFW takes a look ahead to this weekend's fixtures.
I am sure I wasn’t alone amongst QPR fans in welcoming the International Break with open arms, but we return this week with a full weekend programme and as the dust will settle on the weekend results, we have a full midweek programme to look forward too. More on that after the weekend but for now, this weekend and the game of the weekend, has to be the Sheffield derby as Wednesday and United meet at Hillsborough for a Sunday Sky game. Both sides are having a good season and despite United being in 4th and Wednesday in 10th, there are just 2 point between them. This has the makings of a cracker, with Wednesday unbeaten at home and United winning 3 of their 5 away games so far this season.
Moving back to Saturday and Sky have selected Crystal Palace v Barnsley as their evening live game. Palace’s form has drastically improved over the last few weeks and the Eagles will be looking for their third win on the spin to continue their steady climb up the table. Barnsley however, still remain in the bottom three, but go into the game on the back of an excellent 4-1 home win over Doncaster last time out.
There is a great game in prospect at Pride Park as the much improved Derby, take on one of the form teams of the Division, Plymouth. Derby have finally got their season under way after a wretched start and are unbeaten in six, whereas Plymouth have literally stormed into the top six. Since defeat against Norwich in September, the Pilgrims have notched up an impressive 13 points from 5 games.
Elsewhere and new leaders, Birmingham face a tricky looking trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley. Second placed Wolves who were beaten at Swansea last time out, will be looking to get back to winning ways with a home tie versus Coventry. Third placed Reading travel to Preston who were once in the top two not so longer ago. But four straight defeats have seen them slide down to 12th place in the Championship table.
Saturday, 18 October, 2008
Bristol City v Norwich City
Burnley v Birmingham City
Cardiff City v Charlton Athletic
Crystal Palace v Barnsley 17:20
Derby County v Plymouth Argyle
Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool
Ipswich Town v Swansea City
Preston North End v Reading
Queens Park Rangers v Nottingham Forest
Southampton v Watford
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Coventry City
Sunday, 19 October, 2008
Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United 13:15
LFW Preview of QPR’s home clash with bottom club, Nottingham Forest, will be online soon…