Fulham meet West Bromwich Albion in a top of the table clash after Queens Park Rangers were held at home after Nottingham Forest got a late equaliser in the Friday Night Game.
From comfortable wins to teams chopping and changing in the league table the Championship did not disappoint last weekend. With another round of fixtures around the corner this game week doesn’t look to fail to let down either.
A highly anticipated Saturday lunchtime match at Cravern Cottage
With both sides hoping for a swift return to the Premier League following their relegation last campaign, second place Fulham host third place West Bromwich Albion. They comfortably won last time out this hopes to be an intriguing match-up in London. Championship top goal scorer Alexander Mitrovic will be hoping to continue his incredible goalscoring run and add to the 15 goals he has scored this season.
In the last match of this game this week undefeated Bournemouth will be looking to keep up their impressive start of the season when travelling to Reading on Saturday night. The Championship leaders are currently 14 games without a league defeat, but the home side will be looking to stop their winning streak. The Royals are mid-table after having a set of mixed results this campaign.
Hull City vs Coventry City
Coventry City go to strugglers Hull City with both teams at opposite ends of the table. The Sky Blues will want to fix their wrongs from last time out whilst being held by Derby County at home. The Tigers will need to start getting some points on the board after losing their last three successive games and sitting in the bottom three.
Derby vs Blackburn
Derby County picked up another valuable point away to fellow midlands side Coventry last weekend with their fourth successive draw. They face an in-form Blackburn Rovers side who recently won against Reading. A win is vital for both sides as each team look to push up the table. Derby want to close the gap from the sides outside the relegation zone and Blackburn to push into the play-off spots.
Sheffield United vs Blackpool
Following each side’s impressive local derby victories last time out, the teams will be desperate to build on from these wins. Sheffield United won their Yorkshire match-up against Barnsley in a thrilling encounter as Blackpool won their game against local rivals Preston North End. Both sides are starting to look up the table rather than down it as they look towards the top six spots.
Stoke vs Cardiff
Stoke City host Cardiff City with both sides in a horrid run of form wanting to turn their fortunes around. The home side have lost their last three games and have slipped out of the play-off places. The visitors have not gained any points in their last eight games and remain in the relegation area. The Welsh side will be without Mick McCarthy after he was sacked following this awful run of form. The side will be under caretaker boss Steve Morrison’s control.
Swansea vs Peterbrough
The other Welsh side in the league Swansea City take on Peterborough United at the Liberty Stadium. The Swans will be looking to bounce back following defeat last time out whereas their opponents will be hoping to build on their latest victory.
Preston vs Luton
Preston North End will be desperate for an upset this weekend as the face high flying Luton Town. Following their Lancashire derby defeat to Blackpool and league position, a win would be very welcome for Frankie McAvoy’s side. However, the away side are having an exceptional season as they sit fifth in the table. A victory for The Hatters will continue to heap pressure on the top two sides.
Middlesbrough vs Birmingham
Middlesbrough are the favourites when they face a Birmingham City side who have been edging towards the relegation zone in recent weeks. Middlesbrough’s veteran manager Neil Warnock beat his old side Cardiff City last week in Wales. Another victory this game week will keep them in the play-offs. Birmingham City ended a seven-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory against Swansea City last weekend. The Blues will be hoping to build on this to drag themselves away from the bottom three spots.
Bristol City vs Barnsley
Barnsley have started the season terribly with the Yorkshire side sitting in the relegation places. They have gained only eight points all campaign and would be expected to be higher up the league after last year’s sensational form. The Tykes lost again last weekend against county rivals Sheffield United in a thrilling encounter. With the position they are in the league, the pressure is building on coach Markus Schopp. Their opponents and host’s Bristol City are hoping to turn their recent misfortune around having lost their last three games in a row. The Robins sit in only five places above the relegation zone after their recent form.
Huddersfield vs Millwall
With both sides just outside the play-offs on goal difference both Huddersfield Town and Millwall will be eager to edge past one another at the John Smith’s Stadium in Yorkshire. The away side won last time out whilst the host will be looking to bounce back from last weekends defeat.
By Jack Bunclark
