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Championship preview

Image: Gianfranco Zola: Has overseen a perfect start at Watford

Three clubs will be looking to make it three wins from three, while Wigan go in search of a second success upon their return to Championship action.

Four 100 per cent records on the line; Six clubs still pointless

Three clubs will be looking to make it three wins from three, while Wigan go in search of a second success upon their return to Championship action. The Latics were on Community Shield duty last weekend, but they already have one win under their belt in the league and can boast a 100 per cent record alongside Watford, Blackpool and Nottingham Forest. At the opposite end of the table, there are still six teams in the second tier yet to get off the mark. The latest round of Championship competition gets under way on Friday, with Doncaster Rovers looking to collect their first points since stepping up out of League One when they welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Keepmoat Stadium. The television cameras will then be at the first of Saturday's fixtures, with Leeds United's Yorkshire derby date with Sheffield Wednesday set to be screened live on Sky Sports 1 HD. Last season's beaten play-off finalists Watford top the division at this early stage, having netted seven times in two outings, and they will want to cement that standing when they face a Reading side looking to bounce back into the top tier at the first time of asking. Paul Ince feels Blackpool are still lacking in numbers, but he has guided them to back-to-back victories and confidence in the Seasiders' camp should be sky high when they head to Middlesbrough. Nottingham Forest have won each of their two Championship fixtures so far 1-0 and will be looking to keep things tight once again when another side tipped to be in the promotion mix this season, Bolton Wanderers, visit the City Ground.

Derby date

Derby County and Leicester City have made solid starts, picking up four points apiece, and East Midlands bragging rights will be on the line when they lock horns at Pride Park. Queens Park Rangers are considered to be the team to beat in the race for promotion, and Harry Redknapp's star-studded side return to Loftus Road this weekend for a home date with Ipswich Town. Wigan Athletic may have come unstuck against Manchester United last time out, but they will have enjoyed a trip to Wembley and will want to keep the feel-good factor going when they make another long journey south to take on Bournemouth. Burnley have shrugged off the loss of Charlie Austin to enjoy an impressive opening under Sean Dyche, and the Clarets boss will be demanding more of the same in a meeting with Yeovil Town. Brighton & Hove Albion finished inside the top six last season, but they have rather stumbled out of the blocks this term and will be hoping to open their points account when they travel to Birmingham City. Millwall and Huddersfield Town will acknowledge that they had been hoping for much better from their opening two fixtures, with only a point taken between them, but they will get another opportunity to kick-start their season at The Den. Barnsley and Charlton Athletic start the weekend with no points on the board, but at least one of them, possibly both, will get off the mark on Saturday as they do battle at Oakwell.

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