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High flying QPR try to cement their place at the top of the Championship as Cardiff City's attacking prowess aims to capitalise if they slip up. At the other end of the table Sheffield United's new boss Gary Speed will try to climb away from the foot of the table and gain his first win as the Blades' manager.
The Championship is still in flux as new managers get to grips with their teams. The transfer window still has a few days to go and teams are still gelling as the new season starts to head into the second month.
Swansea City vs Burnley |
Liberty Stadium, Swansea (Swansea), Saturday August 28th,
Brian Laws' Burnley side were thought to be best equipped to bounce straight back after relegation form the Premier League last season. Despite the loss of their star striker Stephen Fletcher to Premier League Wolves, the Clarets have made some good signings during the summer to bolster their squad. The Clarets have dropped only two points so far this season in the draw against fifth placed Ipswich Town.
The Swans have been inconsistent so far this season with loses to Hull City and Norwich but a four-nil thrashing of Preston North End. Brendon Rodger's Swansea City are coming off a solid three-one, Carling Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers, but high flying Burnley will be a tougher prospect for the Swans. Rodgers had hoped to have Arsenal's Henri Lansbury on board in time for the visit of Burnley but at this time no deal has been finalised.
The Swans have been inconsistent so far this season with loses to Hull City and Norwich but a four-nil thrashing of Preston North End. Brendon Rodger's Swansea City are coming off a solid three-one, Carling Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers, but high flying Burnley will be a tougher prospect for the Swans. Rodgers had hoped to have Arsenal's Henri Lansbury on board in time for the visit of Burnley but at this time no deal has been finalised.
Watford vs Leeds United |
Vicarage Road Stadium, Watford (Watford), Saturday August 28th,
Watford and Leeds sit in eighth and ninth place respectively with a point between them and will be well aware of how tough the clash could be. Leeds' Simon Gayson will be hoping to consolidate the club's position in the Championship after winning promotion and their tree-one victory over Millwall who were joint top of the division at the time would certainly have given the team some much needed confidence, but a midweek loss to Leicester in the Carling Cup will be a set back.
Malky MacKay will be nursing his club's wounds after a disastrous loss to Notts County midweek in the Carling Cup. The Hornets gained a valuable point away at Hull City's KC Stadium last week in a uninspiring goalless draw, but he will have been relieved that his team managed to keep a clean sheet after conceding some very poor goals in the club's opening two games.
Malky MacKay will be nursing his club's wounds after a disastrous loss to Notts County midweek in the Carling Cup. The Hornets gained a valuable point away at Hull City's KC Stadium last week in a uninspiring goalless draw, but he will have been relieved that his team managed to keep a clean sheet after conceding some very poor goals in the club's opening two games.
Scunthorpe United vs Crystal Palace |
Glanford Park (Scunthorpe), Saturday August 28th,
Two of the preseason favorites for relegation go head to head at Glandford Park, Scunthorpe this week with all to play for in their quest to reach the magical 40 point mark. Both teams won on the opening day of the season with Palace beating Leicester City three-two, and Scunny taking the scalp of Reading two-one at the Madejski stadium.
Both clubs will be looking at this tie as one that they can gain three valuable points. It will be Scunny's Nigel Adkins who will be relishing the challenge more. The Scunthorpe manager has a well organised side that are never pushovers at home, and despite losing their last two league fixtures, never looked out classed and confidence will be high after a convincing four-two victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup in midweek.
The Eagles boss George Burley certainly has his work cut out at Selhurst Park as he tries to salvage a season of success out of a financial disaster. Burley will be well aware of his side giving away sloppy goals and will be working hard on the training ground to stop this, but he will be hoping that 37 year old Edgar Davids, the ex-Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Tottenham star can give his young team the advantage they need in his pay as you play deal.
Both clubs will be looking at this tie as one that they can gain three valuable points. It will be Scunny's Nigel Adkins who will be relishing the challenge more. The Scunthorpe manager has a well organised side that are never pushovers at home, and despite losing their last two league fixtures, never looked out classed and confidence will be high after a convincing four-two victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup in midweek.
The Eagles boss George Burley certainly has his work cut out at Selhurst Park as he tries to salvage a season of success out of a financial disaster. Burley will be well aware of his side giving away sloppy goals and will be working hard on the training ground to stop this, but he will be hoping that 37 year old Edgar Davids, the ex-Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Tottenham star can give his young team the advantage they need in his pay as you play deal.
Portsmouth vs Cardiff City |
Fratton Park (Portsmouth), Saturday August 28th,
Cardiff City and Portsmouth will be putting their financial worries aside as they clash at Fratton Park, Portsmouth this weekend. Pompey's Steve Cotterill has more to be worried about as he has had to sell almost all of his quality players in a quest for the club to remain a viable concern. His team's performances have not been the to the level that he would have expected and a rampant Cardiff City side will be a tough challenge for Pompey.
Dave Jones' Bluebirds will be in buoyant mood as they travel to the South Coast. After two league wins and a draw the Welsh side are in second place and look every inch an automatic promotion candidate. The acquisition of Craig Bellamy on a season long loan from Manchester City may cause a few financial troubles for the Bluebirds but on the field, the Wales captain helped to fire his home town club to a superb four-nil rout of Doncaster Rovers. Bellamy, chipped in with a beautifully taken goal and two assists on his debut.
Dave Jones' Bluebirds will be in buoyant mood as they travel to the South Coast. After two league wins and a draw the Welsh side are in second place and look every inch an automatic promotion candidate. The acquisition of Craig Bellamy on a season long loan from Manchester City may cause a few financial troubles for the Bluebirds but on the field, the Wales captain helped to fire his home town club to a superb four-nil rout of Doncaster Rovers. Bellamy, chipped in with a beautifully taken goal and two assists on his debut.
Sheffield United vs Preston North End |
Bramall Lane (Sheffield), Saturday August 28th,
The Blades will be hoping to give their new manager Gary Speed a true Bramall Lane welcome as he tries to beat Darren Ferguson's Preston North End in his first home tie as manager of the famous old Yorkshire club. Sheffield United sit rock bottom in 24th place with a single point from their first three league games.
Ferguson's Lillywhites are also struggling for points in the early stages of the season with only three from their victory over luckless Portsmouth. Despite some great loan signings from Ferguson's famous father in nearby Old Trafford, Preston are leaking goals at an alarming rate, and have the worst goal difference in the division.
Ferguson's Lillywhites are also struggling for points in the early stages of the season with only three from their victory over luckless Portsmouth. Despite some great loan signings from Ferguson's famous father in nearby Old Trafford, Preston are leaking goals at an alarming rate, and have the worst goal difference in the division.
Nottingham Forest vs Norwich City |
The City Ground, Nottingham (Nottingham), Saturday August 28th,
Early season favourites Forest see themselves at the wrong end of the table in 20th position and taking on newly promoted Norwich City. Billy Davies will have felt that his team have been unlucky to only have two points so far this season after two successive draws in the League. However, in last weekend's fixture against Reading, it took a handling error from the Reading keeper Adam Federici that Rob Earnshaw pounced on for them to gain a point. Davies will be hoping that his charges can recall some of last season's steel to start the slow climb from the lower reaches of the division.
League One champions Norwich City will be over the moon at their great start to the season. They sit in seventh place, only one point off second position, but two wins against teams that will be fighting it out at the wrong end of the division in May and a late heavy loss to Premier League Blackburn Rovers in midweek will not have done their confidence any good.
League One champions Norwich City will be over the moon at their great start to the season. They sit in seventh place, only one point off second position, but two wins against teams that will be fighting it out at the wrong end of the division in May and a late heavy loss to Premier League Blackburn Rovers in midweek will not have done their confidence any good.
Ipswich Town vs Bristol City |
Portman Road Stadium (Ipswich), Saturday August 28th,
Roy Keane has been dealt a transfer market blow as he has been told he can only make loan signings in this transfer window. Despite the restrictions placed on Keane, the Tractor Boys seem to be doing well so far this season with seven points from a possible nine.
Unlike Ipswich, the Robins have been in turmoil off and on the field. Despite some shrewd signings in the closed season, the loss of Steve Coppell to early retirement has meant they have not had the most auspicious start, sitting one place off the bottom three with only two points from three games.
New Robin's manager Keith Millen will be buoyed by the resilience that his team displayed as they came back to draw against Barnsley last week three-all and looked the more likely to win as the final whistle was blown.
Ipswich Town's confidence will be high after two victories in a week but Bristol City will feel that they have enough in their team to beat anyone on their day.
Unlike Ipswich, the Robins have been in turmoil off and on the field. Despite some shrewd signings in the closed season, the loss of Steve Coppell to early retirement has meant they have not had the most auspicious start, sitting one place off the bottom three with only two points from three games.
New Robin's manager Keith Millen will be buoyed by the resilience that his team displayed as they came back to draw against Barnsley last week three-all and looked the more likely to win as the final whistle was blown.
Ipswich Town's confidence will be high after two victories in a week but Bristol City will feel that they have enough in their team to beat anyone on their day.
Barnsley vs Middlesbrough |
Oakwell Stadium (Barnsley), Saturday August 28th,
Mark Robins' Barnsley side welcome Championship favorites Middlesbrough to Oakwell Stadium this Saturday. Boro gained their first victory of the season in their lucky one-nil win over Barnsley's Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. Gordon Strachan's Smoggies won by a single goal off a poor clearance from Sheffield United's captain Chris Morgan that allowed Scottish football sensation Kris Boyd to score with some individual flair.
The Tykes put three past high spending Bristol City, but despite the Robins managerial missteps, they could only get a point from the three-all draw at Bristol City's Ashton Gate. After starting well with a brace of goals from striker Andy Gray, the Tykes couldn't capitalise on their great start as they conceded two goals in the first half before pulling away again to three-two with a great solo effort from Adam Hammill at the start of the second half. However, the Tykes couldn't hold onto their lead as they conceded a penalty on the hour that allowed the Robins to draw level. Mark Robin's, the Tykes boss, will have left feeling his side threw away the chance of three valuable points.
Strachan will be hoping that his miss-firing team start to step up their team performances. He told BBC Radio Tees, "If we give him (Boyd) some chances he will finish them. To get the best out of him we have to give him the ball. And to do that our passing has to be better." Boro will be without some big names with Willo Flood, who is recovering from reconstructive surgery to his medial patella femoral ligament after suffering a dislocation against Ipswich Town on the opening game of the season, and Kevin Thompson who suffered a fractured fibula against Leicester City will be missing.
The Tykes will be hoping that their defensive frailties at the back can be plugged as they attempt to stop one of the Leagues most threatening attacks from running rough shod over them.
The Tykes put three past high spending Bristol City, but despite the Robins managerial missteps, they could only get a point from the three-all draw at Bristol City's Ashton Gate. After starting well with a brace of goals from striker Andy Gray, the Tykes couldn't capitalise on their great start as they conceded two goals in the first half before pulling away again to three-two with a great solo effort from Adam Hammill at the start of the second half. However, the Tykes couldn't hold onto their lead as they conceded a penalty on the hour that allowed the Robins to draw level. Mark Robin's, the Tykes boss, will have left feeling his side threw away the chance of three valuable points.
Strachan will be hoping that his miss-firing team start to step up their team performances. He told BBC Radio Tees, "If we give him (Boyd) some chances he will finish them. To get the best out of him we have to give him the ball. And to do that our passing has to be better." Boro will be without some big names with Willo Flood, who is recovering from reconstructive surgery to his medial patella femoral ligament after suffering a dislocation against Ipswich Town on the opening game of the season, and Kevin Thompson who suffered a fractured fibula against Leicester City will be missing.
The Tykes will be hoping that their defensive frailties at the back can be plugged as they attempt to stop one of the Leagues most threatening attacks from running rough shod over them.
Millwall vs Coventry City |
The Den (London), Saturday August 28th,
Coventry City will be entering the Lions Den, as they travel to London to one of English football's most hostile venues. Aidy Boothroyd's Sky Blues have had a great start to their Championship campaign sitting in fourth place in the division, but newly promoted Millwall under Kenny Jackett are a well organised side, who will certainly put up a fight.
The Lions have also had a good start to the season beating three of the Championship's favorites for promotion, Middlesbrough, Hull City and Bristol City in the League and Carling Cup. Their one loss this season was to fellow promoted team Leeds United last weekend, with Jackett, claiming it was a "fair result".
The Lions have also had a good start to the season beating three of the Championship's favorites for promotion, Middlesbrough, Hull City and Bristol City in the League and Carling Cup. Their one loss this season was to fellow promoted team Leeds United last weekend, with Jackett, claiming it was a "fair result".
Doncaster Rovers vs Hull City |
Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster), Saturday August 28th,
The Tigers travel across Yorkshire to Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium on the back of a dismal defeat to League One side Brentford in the Carling Cup. Nigel Pearson, the Hull City manager, will have been extremely disappointed in his teams display after a more disciplined performance in the nil-nil draw against Watford. However, the injury to Irish international utility defender Paul McShane would be one of the worst points to the week for Pearson among speculation that Kamil Zayette may be on his way to Newcastle United next week. The loss of Zayette and McShane means that center back cover could be very thin for the Tigers.
Sean O'Driscoll, the Vikings boss, will be hoping that his team can bounce back from the demolition that they suffered to Cardiff City last week where Cardiff's Craig Bellamy ran the show as the Bluebirds ran out four-nil winners. Donny were heavily tipped for relegation at the start of the season, but after gaining four points from their first three games, they will feel that a solid season is well within their grasp.
Pearson and the Tiger-nation will be hoping that new signings Robert Koren and Jay Simpson can knock the season up a gear for the new look young Tigers after the loss of so many of the club's Premier League players.
Sean O'Driscoll, the Vikings boss, will be hoping that his team can bounce back from the demolition that they suffered to Cardiff City last week where Cardiff's Craig Bellamy ran the show as the Bluebirds ran out four-nil winners. Donny were heavily tipped for relegation at the start of the season, but after gaining four points from their first three games, they will feel that a solid season is well within their grasp.
Pearson and the Tiger-nation will be hoping that new signings Robert Koren and Jay Simpson can knock the season up a gear for the new look young Tigers after the loss of so many of the club's Premier League players.
Derby County vs Queens Park Rangers |
Pride Park Stadium (Derby), Saturday August 28th,
High flying Queens Park Rangers will be hoping to extend their fantastic start for another week against Nigel Clough's Rams at Pride Park, Derby. QPR are the Championship's only 100% side with a full nine points from three games. Last week, Neil Warnock's Hoops destroyed Scunthorpe United with two well taken first half goals. Warnock's side have the highest goal difference with nine scored and have yet to concede a goal this season in the League. The influence of new signing Adel Taarabt has been a great fillip for the club, as his loan spells from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur were made permanent.
Clough's County side have not had the same sort of good fortune as QPR, as they haven't won in three games, with loses to local rivals Coventry City, and League Two side Crewe Alexandra in the Carling Cup. However, last week's loss to Coventry City was to a late winner in a tightly fought game that the Rams would have felt they deserved a point.
Clough's County side have not had the same sort of good fortune as QPR, as they haven't won in three games, with loses to local rivals Coventry City, and League Two side Crewe Alexandra in the Carling Cup. However, last week's loss to Coventry City was to a late winner in a tightly fought game that the Rams would have felt they deserved a point.
Leicester City vs Reading |
The Walkers Stadium (Leicester, Leicestershire), Saturday August 28th,
Paulo Sousa will be hoping to get back to winning ways as the Foxes host Brian McDermott's of Reading, at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester. The Foxes are one spot off the bottom on one point and have not gelled as a team since Nigel Pearson left to join Hull City. Sousa's team are still not settled into his style of play and despite beating Leeds in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, they are low on confidence and need to gain some serious points before heads start to drop.
Reading are also struggling for form and their boss McDermott will be trying to kick start the Royals' season after three successive draws. However, he will be happy that the club have not lost in the last three games and the return of influential striker Noel Hunt from long term injury will give his attack a cutting edge again...
Reading are also struggling for form and their boss McDermott will be trying to kick start the Royals' season after three successive draws. However, he will be happy that the club have not lost in the last three games and the return of influential striker Noel Hunt from long term injury will give his attack a cutting edge again...