Skip to content

Championship preview

Dowie: Preston clash
Image: Dowie: Preston clash

The Sky Sports 1 cameras will be at the Ricoh Arena and Hillsborough on Saturday for two key Championship encounters.

Coventry face Preston, Owls tackle Bristol City

The Sky Sports 1 cameras will be at the Ricoh Arena and Hillsborough on Saturday as leaders Coventry look to continue their impressive start and Sheffield Wednesday chase their first point of the campaign. The Owls are bottom of the table after defeats in each of their opening three fixtures and face a tough test against a Bristol City side who could briefly lead the pack after the day's early kick-off. And the evening fixture sees Preston, the only team in the entire Football League yet to find the net in league action this season, travel to Coventry to tackle Iain Dowie's high-flyers. And a host of new signings will be on show throughout the Championship after a typically busy time in the transfer market ahead of Friday's midnight deadline.
Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City
New signings Etienne Esajas and Akpo Sodje are set to make their debuts as the Owls look to get off the mark in the Championship in front of the Sky Sports 1 cameras. Steve Watson is in contention and Wade Small is back in training after his hamstring injury but Francis Jeffers (calf) will not be involved until after the international break. Darren Byfield is expected to make his Bristol City debut after his move from Millwall as Gary Johnson's side look to claim top spot in the Championship. Ivan Sproule is available to make his full bow for the club and Johnson has no new injury worries to contend with for the trip to Hillsborough.
Coventry v Preston
The Sky Sports 1 cameras will be at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday evening as manager of the month Iain Dowie's league leaders take on struggling Preston. Arjan de Zeeuw is set to make his debut after recovering from the injury problems that have hampered him since his summer switch from Portsmouth. Preston have bolstered their attacking options with Paul Gallagher moving to Deepdale from Blackburn on loan until January and he goes straight into the squad. But the departure of former skipper Graham Alexander to Championship rivals Burnley leaves a defensive void which will need to be filled as Paul Simpson's men look to record their first victory of the season.
Colchester v Burnley
Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken is available after serving a one-match suspension although deputy Aidan Davison kept a clean sheet against Preston last time out. Clive Platt serves the last of his three-game ban so Kevin Lisbie and Teddy Sheringham continue up front while midfielder Kevin McLeod (groin) could return. New Burnley signing Alexander is expected to make his bow for the Clarets following his shock move from Preston this week. Steve Cotterill is hoping to have Jon Harley (illness) and Michael Duff (abductor) available, but Gabor Kiraly remains a doubt and Besart Berisha is out with a knee injury.
Crystal Palace v Charlton
Young striker Besian Idrizaj could be handed an immediate debut in the south London derby against Charlton after his season-long loan move

Sky Data Layer Viewer