Championship preview

Full Championship programme on Saturday

Last updated: 3rd October 2008

mick mccarthy wolves

McCarthy's Wolves still top

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Barnsley v Doncaster
Birmingham v QPR
Blackpool v Cardiff City
Charlton v Ipswich
Coventry v Southampton
Norwich v Derby
Nottm Forest v C.Palace
Plymouth v Sheff Weds
Reading v Burnley
Sheff Utd v Bristol City
Swansea City v Wolves
Watford v Preston NE

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Teams

  • Barnsley
  • Birmingham City

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Championship leaders Wolves will be looking to return to winning ways against Swansea while Birmingham could go top if they overcome QPR.

Reading find themselves within touching distance of the automatic promotion places after winning at Molineux in midweek, although Burnley are the league's surprise package having taken 13 points from a possible 15.

Nottingham Forest will be desperate for a three-point haul against Crystal Palace along with Barnsley, who have a South Yorkshire derby against Doncaster, if they are to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop.

Wolves' blistering start to the season came to an abrupt end when they were turned over 3-0 by Reading in midweek, but Mick McCarthy's side will be able to put that down as a blip if they see off Swansea. The Swans were boosted by a 2-0 success at Preston on Tuesday.

Birmingham City have won just one of their last three league games and their midweek draw at Derby will feel more like two points dropped rather than one gained after conceding late on at Pride Park. They will have their work cut out for them this weekend when they entertain QPR, a game that can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD 1, who have promotion hopes of their own.

Burnley's September form earned manager Owen Coyle the Manger of the Month award. They will be hoping the jinx of the award does not strike when they make the daunting trip down south to do battle with Reading. The Royals are the league's form side and have 15 goals in their last four league games.

Two wins on the bounce have seen Sheffield Wednesday move into the play-off positions and they have a decent record against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park having won on both of their last two trips to the South Coast. However, The Pilgrims are unbeaten in four and out for revenge on The Owls.

Sheffield United are just one place behind their city neighbours and are back on song with consecutive league successes following their Carling Cup mauling against Arsenal's young guns. Bristol City arrive at Bramall Lane in confident mood after battling back from two-down to claim a 2-2 draw with Plymouth in midweek.

The foot of the table makes grim reading for Nottingham Forest and Barnsley fans. Forest have gone over a month since their last league win and they will find the going tough against a Crystal Palace side that beat Charlton on Tuesday.

Barnsley's confidence will be almost identical having been panned 3-0 by Ipswich this week. However, it is a case of two out-of-form sides meeting at Oakwell as newly-promoted Doncaster have lost five straight.

Another defeat for Watford could see Adrian Boothroyd's side slip into the drop zone and Preston will be keen to return to winning ways at Vicarage Road this weekend after being turned over by Swansea.

Derby's five-match unbeaten run goes on the line against Norwich City at Carrow Road while Southampton could leapfrog Coventry in the table if they win at the Ricoh Arena. Saints' clash against The Sky Blues can be seen live on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD 2.

Charlton will be desperate to turn around their stuttering form after claiming just one win from their last six, although Ipswich are a side on the up after going on a five-match unbeaten run that includes brushing aside Barnsley in midweek.

Blackpool's clash against promotion-chasing Cardiff City at Bloomfield Road is the final fixture in what should be another intriguing day of Championship action on Saturday.