Now that the international break is over, the Championship is back underway with as all 24 sides focus on their league campaigns. TIBS News previews the weekend’s action.
Derby County vs Bournemouth
Bournemouth will look to continue their impressive form when they face a Derby County side lacking confidence on Sunday. The league leaders are currently two points ahead of second place Fulham after their surge of form. The Cherries have been superb all season and will certainly be expected to pick up another victory on Sunday.
Derby have sunk further into trouble as they now sit on -3 points at the bottom of the table. They were hit with their second points deduction of the campaign losing nine points this time round. They were penalised after admitting they breached accounting rules applied by the EFL. Manager Wayne Rooney now has an even bigger mountain to climb to steer them to safety.
Reading vs Nottingham Forest
Another side having a troubled time lately is Reading as they were docked six points for breaching financial rules after losing too much money between 2017 to 2021. They have slipped to 19th in the table and are now only four points above the relegation zone. They face off against Nottingham Forest who are now eyeing up a play-off position after turning their form around since the start of the campaign.
Fulham vs Barnsley
Fulham will be looking to continue their excellent winning streak against a desperate Barnsley side eager to claim points. The hosts are on the tails of the league leaders after six successive wins as they just can’t do anything wrong this campaign. Marco Silva’s side are charging towards the Premier League with the Championship’s top goal scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic (20) leading the way. However, the visitors look to be heading the other way down to League One after their dismal string of results recently.
Stoke City vs Peterborough United
Stoke City host strugglers Peterborough United as the visitors look to apply pressure on the bottom sides with a win. The away side are currently hovering above the relegation zone and are only three points above the dreaded bottom three. A win could extend the gap between themselves and the drop zone. The home side are currently sitting in the top six places as they hope to continue their current turn around in form with another win.
Huddersfield vs West Bromwich Albion
Huddersfield will be looking to close the gap on third place West Bromwich Albion when they lock horns this gameweek. The Yorkshire outfit are currently just outside the play-off places as they sit in eighth position. With only one league win in five games, the Terriers will be hoping to reclaim their spot in the top six and previous goof form. Their opponents will be looking to close the six-point gap between themselves and the sides in the automatic spots.
Bristol City vs Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers travel to Aston Gate and could continue Bristol City’s atrocious home record. Nigel Pearson’s side have only won once at home all season and that ended a 17-game winless league streak on their own turf. They are struggling this campaign as they hover above the relegation zone. However, their opponents are at the opposite end of the table and are within touching distance of the play-offs. They could end the gameweek in the play-offs with a win and if the teams around them slip up.
Swansea City vs Blackpool
Promotion hopefuls Swansea City and Blackpool face each other this weekend wishing to climb up the table closer to the top six spots. Both sides have had an indifferent run of form lately and will hope to stead their own ship after the international break by claiming an important three points. Every point is vital in this thrilling league as only three points separate QPR in sixth and Swansea City in 12th.
Hull City vs Birmingham City
Birmingham City play relegation threatened Hull City with the Yorkshire side looking to build on their win last time out. This was their first victory in six matches and will be eager to continue picking up points. The Midlands team are currently mid-table after climbing up the table with a run of good victories.
Preston North End vs Cardiff City
Cardiff City travel to Preston North End with both sides in the bottom half of the table. Steve Morrison is the new permanent manager after claiming four points from three games and has steadied the Welsh side’s ship. Their opponents are on a good run of form as well picking up three wins out of a possible four.
Middlesbrough vs Millwall
Chris Wilder will take charge of his first game as Middlesbrough boss when they host Millwall. The former Sheffield United manager has won promotion three times in his managerial career so far and will aim to do the same during his time in the North-East. However, promotion rivals will hope to ruin the party by claiming all three points and bounce back after their disappointing draw last time out.
Sheffield United vs Coventry City
High flying Coventry City will travel to Sheffield United in the Saturday lunchtime game. The visitors will hop to third position in the table if they claim all three points at Bramall Lane. The Sky Blues have had a mixed run of results recently and will be eager to reclaim their impressive form of the start of the campaign. The home side have only picked up four points out of a possible 15. They currently sit in 17th place after showing the similar form they produced whilst in the Premier League last season.
QPR vs Luton Town
Luton Town will want to leapfrog QPR into the play-off spots when they travel to Loftus Road on Friday evening. The visitors currently sit in 11th but only sit two points out of the top six places. The hosts will be eager to pick up all three points to cement their place in the play-off spaces. Both sides have had a mix run of form of late which each team will hope to end sooner rather than later.
By Jack Bunclark
