LFW looks ahead to this Saturday's action in the Coca Cola Championship, in this the last weekend before Christmas.

Welcome back to LFW Weekend Championship Preview and the last Saturday before Christmas sees a very interesting round of fixtures indeed. Sky Sports have got it just about spot on this weekend and have selected two decent looking games. The lunchtime kick off comes from St Andrews and the game of the day without a doubt, as 2nd placed Birmingham take on 3rd placed Reading, with just one point seperating the two. The point is literally what is the difference with both teams going into the game in good form, but if I were to pick a winner, with decent home form, I would back Birmingham to just shade this one.

The evening kick off comes from Bramall Lane as Sheffield United take on Crystal Palace, with Neil Warnock taking his in form side back to his former employers. Goal difference in the Blades favour seperates these two who are sitting just outside the play off places. United's form has been a bit inconsistant of late, wheras Palace are on a storming run and are one of the form teams in the division, with 5 wins in their last 6 games. With the other play off hopefuls, Cardiff have a home tie with Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley have a long, but fruitful looking trip to Bristol City, who are without a win in seven. Sixth placed Preston travel to Loftus Road to take on QPR and LFW Preview of the game will be online soon...

Elsewhere and there is a classic bottom v top clash as Doncaster take on leaders Wolves, who could extend their lead even further than six points if for example, the game at St Andrews ends all sqaure. But despite their lowly position in the league, Rovers are not actually losing many goals just recently and are well capable of causing an upset, especially at the Keepmoat Stadium where Ipswich, Plymouth and Coventry have all left empty handed this season.

Staying at the wrong end of the table and there is a definite six pointer at St Marys as Southampton take on Forest. The Saints are four points ahead of Forest who are third from bottom and a win for the home side could cast the bottom three well adrift of those above them. Second to bottom Charlton extended their winless run to 13 games last weekend with a draw at home to Derby. The Addicks this weekend travel to Carrow Road to take on Norwich and I, along with many R's fans no doubt, are so hoping for an away win. The reason being that Charlton's next game is at home to QPR on Boxing Day and we all know how historically generous QPR can be....

Fixtures in Full;

Saturday, 20 December, 2008

Barnsley v Plymouth Argyle

Birmingham City v Reading

Blackpool v Swansea City

Bristol City v Burnley

Cardiff City v Sheffield Wednesday

Coventry City v Ipswich Town

Derby County v Watford

Doncaster Rovers v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Norwich City v Charlton Athletic

Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End

Sheffield United v Crystal Palace

Southampton v Nottingham Forest

Photo: Action Images

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