Championship preview

McCarthy: Hopes to reinforce lead

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Burnley v Doncaster
Charlton v Sheff Utd
Palace v Bristol City
Forest vs Norwich
Ipswich v Derby
Preston v Barnsley
Reading v Southampton
Sheff Wed v Coventry
Watford v QPR
Wolves v Blackpool

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• Blackpool

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  • Bristol City
  • Burnley
  • Cardiff City
  • Charlton Athletic
  • Coventry City
  • Crystal Palace
  • Derby County
  • Doncaster
  • Ipswich Town
  • Norwich City
  • Nottingham Forest
  • Plymouth Argyle
  • Preston North End
  • Queens Park Rangers
  • Reading
  • Sheffield United
  • Sheffield Wednesday
  • Southampton
  • Watford
  • Wolverhampton

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Paulo Sousa will take charge of his first game at Queens Park Rangers, while Wolves will look to reinforce their lead at the top of the Championship.

Former Portugal international Sousa was named as successor to the sacked Iain Dowie on Wednesday and he will make his debut in the QPR manager's seat when the Hoops travel to Watford.

The Hornets are themselves without a manager following the departure of Aidy Boothroyd at the beginning of November and they continue to struggle in 22nd place in the table, making the arrival of QPR an intriguing contest.

At the top, Wolves will have the opportunity to extend their advantage at the summit when they take on Blackpool at Molineux.

Mick McCarthy's side are currently six points clear of Midlands rivals Birmingham, who travel to Swansea on Friday night, and, whatever their rival's result in Wales, they will have the opportunity to reinforce their command.

Reading remain many peoples' favourites to eventually secure the Championship silverware and the Royals continue to lurk with intent in third place ahead of a meeting with struggling Southampton.

Royals boss Steve Coppell will expect to extend that record when the Saints, who have sampled success only once in eight outings, arrive at the Madejski Stadium.

Burnley are firmly among the play-off hopefuls and a match with rock-bottom Doncaster at Turf Moor will be seen as a must-win tie, despite the visitors upsetting Ipswich last time out.

Sheffield United are another side with plans of promotion, but Charlton boss Alan Pardew will be desperate to silence his critics when the Blades arrive at The Valley.

Ninth-placed Plymouth could move level on points with top-six Cardiff with victory over Dave Jones' outfit at Home Park, in a game which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

Pre-season predictions saw Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace competing for promotion but the Eagles have struggled and a clash with Bristol City at Selhurst Park could add to inconsistent form.

Ipswich will hope to bounce back from the shock defeat to Doncaster when they host Derby, with both sides sat level on points in mid-table.

Nottingham Forest welcome Norwich to the City Ground, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, looking to end a run of three successive draws as Colin Calderwood attempts to steer a route out of the relegation zone.

Barnsley travel to Preston, while Sheffield Wednesday - who were comprehensively beaten at Derby last weekend - see Coventry arrive at Hillsborough.