Championship preview

Season kicks off with clubs dreaming of promotion

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 9th August 2008

Championship preview

Championship: Kick-off looming

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The Championship season begins on Saturday and the action promises to be more competitive and entertaining than ever.

All 24 clubs will be dreaming of emulating West Brom, Stoke and Hull, who won promotion to the Premier League in May at the end of a dramatic campaign.

A number of issues were resolved on the final day and the new season looks set to be just as open and exciting.

It has been a busy summer of transfer activity in the Championship and there will be debutants galore in this weekend's first round of matches.

Nobody has tried harder to rebuild his side than Paul Jewell, who will be hoping there is no lingering effect from Derby's disastrous year in the top flight.

The Rams face newly promoted Doncaster in their opening game on Saturday, but it is another relegated side who kick off proceedings at lunchtime.

Birmingham have been installed as the favourites to win the Championship title and Alex McLeish's side take on Sheffield United, live on Sky Sports 2.

Interest

Swansea will be full of confidence after topping League One and could be one of the surprise packages but Roberto Martinez's men face a tough trip to The Valley to face Charlton.

Queens Park Rangers' progress will be watched with a lot of interest and Iain Dowie will be aiming for three points in his first game in charge as Barnsley visit Loftus Road.

There is also a new man at the helm at Southampton and Jan Poortvliet takes his young side to FA Cup finalists Cardiff looking to make a strong start to his reign.

Bristol City, who suffered play-off heartache at the end of last term, start against Blackpool, while Crystal Palace entertain Watford at Selhurst Park.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Coventry host Norwich, Ipswich meet Preston, Plymouth play Wolves and Burnley travel to Sheffield Wednesday.

On Sunday there is another game live on Sky Sports 2 and it is another clash between a relegated Premier League club and promoted League One outfit.

Nottingham Forest have been tipped to do well on their return to the second tier but Reading are expected to challenge for one of the top spots despite a couple of high-profile departures and Steve Coppell will be targeting three points at the City Ground.

Click below for individual match previews and stats

Saturday

Birmingham v Sheffield United

Blackpool v Bristol City

Cardiff v Southampton

Charlton v Swansea

Coventry v Norwich

Crystal Palace v Watford

Derby v Doncaster

Ipswich v Preston

Queens Park Rangers v Barnsley

Plymouth v Wolves

Sheffield Wednesday v Burnley

Sunday

Nottingham Forest v Reading