Championship preview

Rams face Robins, Blades host QPR and promoted clubs do battle

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 16th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Championship preview

Laws: Early pacesetters

Individual match previews and stats

Barnsley v Coventry


Bristol City v Derby


Burnley v Ipswich


Doncaster v Cardiff


Norwich v Blackpool


Preston v Crystal Palace


Reading v Plymouth


Sheffield United v Queens Park Rangers


Southampton v Birmingham


Swansea v Nottingham Forest


Watford v Charlton


Wolves v Sheffield Wednesday









Related links

Teams

Also see

Bristol City face Derby, Sheffield United take on Queens Park Rangers and Swansea meet Nottingham Forest on the second weekend of the season.

The Championship kicked off last Saturday lunchtime with a 1-0 victory for Birmingham over Sheffield United, and there was more drama to follow as the other 22 clubs began their campaigns, dreaming of promotion to the Premier League.

Sheffield Wednesday are the very early pacesetters after a crushing 4-1 success against Burnley put them top of the table on goal difference.

Brian Laws' Owls crashed out of the Carling Cup to League Two side Rotherham in midweek and they face a difficult trip to highly-fancied Wolves as they look to return to winning ways.

The only fixture which pits two teams on three points against each other is at the Keepmoat Stadium, where Doncaster play last season's FA Cup finalists Cardiff.

Many of last week's winners are on the road, with Coventry travelling to Barnsley, Charlton tackling Watford and QPR visiting Sheffield United.

Alex McLeish's Birmingham will also be aiming to continue their strong start to the season as they lock horns with Southampton at St Mary's.

Preston, who beat Ipswich at Portman Road last Saturday, entertain a Crystal Palace side who were held by Watford

Derby finally claimed a win under Paul Jewell as they saw off Lincoln in the Carling Cup, but there is still pressure on the manager and Bristol City will want to pile on the misery in the evening game at Ashton Gate, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1.

There is a battle between two of the promoted teams as reigning League One champions Swansea host Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, Burnley cross swords with Ipswich, Reading face Plymouth, and Norwich and Blackpool go in search of their first points as they meet at Carrow Road.

Coca Cola Championship. Click here to bet.