Three games in and three teams hold 100% records; Blackpool in success with Crystal Palace and Peterborough in defeats. Ian Holloway’s side face a stiff test in Leicester as they attempt to make it four out of four. Palace will need to reverse the early season formbook to register their first point, coming head to head with unbeaten Sheffield Wednesday while Peterborough travel to Birmingham in a clash of two sides with one point between them.

Blackburn will look to continue their strong start against Leeds who themselves have won two of their opening fixtures. Derby go in hunt of their first win of the season against Gianfranco Zola’s Watford and Ipswich will look to recover from their 6-0 thrashing as they encounter Huddersfield. Two of the favourites to challenge for promotion, Cardiff and Wolves, meet on Sunday.

With the transfer window closing at 11pm on Friday, some of the line-ups below may include players who have moved on after this preview is published.

 

MILLWALL v MIDDLESBROUGH 12.45, New Den (Saturday)

The Lions ended last season with five wins from six, but have been unable to continue that momentum into this season. They were close to a point against Sheffield Wednesday but fell short to an injury time goal and Kenny Jackett will be looking for his side to put that behind him and register Millwall’s first goals, and points, at home this season.

Middlesbrough have made a solid start as they begin their fourth attempt at getting back to the top flight. Tony Mowbray was not as active as he would have wanted transfer wise in the summer and having lost Joe Bennett to Aston Villa, he will be hoping to add to his squad to maintain early season form before the transfer deadline.

What to watch out for:

Chelsea’s Josh McEachran has joined ‘Boro on loan and the highly rated midfielder has the ability to dictate play at this level.

Possible line-ups:

Millwall – Taylor, Dunne, Osborne, Lowry, Malone, Henry, Wright, Trotter, Abdou, Henderson, Keogh

Middlesbrough – Steele, Hoyte, Williams, Hines, Friend, Reach, Zemmama, Leadbitter, McEachran, Haroun, Miller

Recent form: Millwall – LWL; Middlesbrough – WLW

Prediction: 1-1

 

BARNSLEY v BRISTOL CITY 15.00, Oakwell

A 5-1 thumping at the hands of Brighton has done little to alter the perception that Keith Hill’s side will be in a relegation battle this season. Aside from looking to add to his squad before the transfer deadline, Hill will be anxious to keep his attacking talent, like Matt Done, if the Tykes have ambition of consolidating their place in the Championship.

Derek McInnes kept a struggling Bristol City side up last season and now with a full summer behind him at the helm, he has been able to add his mark to the squad. Wins over Palace and Cardiff in their last two games, scoring right goals in the process, indicate that the Robins will face no such struggles this season.

What to watch out for:

Sam Baldock, signed from West Ham, scored on his debut from the bench and he will be pushing for a start here.

Possible line-ups:

Barnsley – Gonzalez, Stone, Wiseman, Foster, Golbourne, Dawson, Cywka, Mellis, Davies, Harewood, Etutu

Bristol City – Heaton, Cunningham, Carey, Wilson, Fontaine, Adomha, Skuse, Pearson, Woolford, Stead, Baldock

Recent form: Barnsley – WLL; Bristol City – LWW

Prediction: 1-3

 

BIRMINGHAM v PETERBOROUGH 15.00, St. Andrew’s

Blues have made an underwhelming start to the campaign, winless and with just one point to their name. Lee Clark rued individual errors after their 2-0 defeat to Watford in their last league outing. With a number of new players, Clark will be eager for his side to gel quickly and cut out these errors if they are to challenge for promotion.

The Posh, tipped by many for relegation this season, may go into this game without George Boyd and Paul Taylor who are both rumoured to be talking to other Championship clubs ahead of the deadline. A 2-1 defeat to Leeds last week meant they are still seeking their first point of the season with three disappointing defeats.

What to watch out for:

Nathan Redmond, a starlet with Premiership eyes on him, is looking to make more of an impact from the start this season.

Possible line-ups:

Birmingham – Butland, Spector, Caldwell, Davies, Gordon, Ambrose, Burke, Mullins, Redmond, Zigic, King

Peterborough – Olejnik, Little, Brisley, Zakuani, Alcock, Bostwick, McCann, Frecklington, Tomlin, Newell, Sinclair

Recent form: Birmingham – DLL; Peterborough – LLL

Prediction: 3-0

 

BURNLEY v BRIGHTON 15.00, Turf Moor

Two defeats have followed Burnley’s opening day win, mirroring the sort of inconsistency which haunted the Clarets for much of last season. While beating relegated Bolton was a sign of progress, the defeat to promoted Huddersfield may have highlighted areas for attention from Eddie Howe before the transfer deadline.

A defeat, draw and a 5-1 win thus far for Gus Poyet’s Albion, who are looking to continue the progress made in recent years of finishing in a higher position than the season before. Poyet has made no secret of his desire to bring in a forward, but Ashley Barnes and Craig Mackail-Smith go into this game having scored a brace each in the defeat of Barnsley.

What to watch out for:

Former England international Wayne Bridge is on loan at Brighton from Manchester City and he opened his account with a 25 yard strike last week.

Possible line-ups:

Burnley – Grant, Tripper, Shackell, Edgar, Mills, Stanislas, Marney, McCann, Wallace, Vokes, Austin

Brighton – Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge, Lua-Lua, Crofts, Dicker, Bridcutt, Barnes, Mackail-Smith

Recent form: Burnley – WLL; Brighton – LDW

Prediction: 2-2

 

CRYSTAL PALACE v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 15.00, Selhurst Park

Palace’s three straight defeats come on the back of losing the backbone to their defence of last season, with Anthony Gardner and Nathanial Clyne leaving and captain Paddy McCarthy injured. The manner of goals conceded, coupled with a lack of attacking threat, are causes for concern for Dougie Freedman, who no doubt will look to resolve this before the transfer window closes.

Sheffield Wednesday are 17 games unbeaten under Dave Jones and have won two out of three games on their return to the Championship. A late win against Millwall demonstrated the belief within the newly promoted outfit and with a manager in Jones who knows this division well, Wednesday could well be looking to emulate Norwich and Southampton as the season goes on.

What to watch out for:

Wilfred Zaha, as ever the spark in Palace’s line-up, could have greater support in the final third by the time the transfer deadline passes.

Possible line-ups:

Palace – Speroni, Ward, Blake, Ramage, Parr, Jedinak, Garvan, Zaha, Williams, Moritz, Wilbraham

Wednesday – Kirkland, Buxton, R Johnson, Beevers, Llera, J Johnson, Semedo, McCabe, Antoni, Madine, Rodri

Recent form: Palace  – LLL; Wednesday – DWW

Prediction: 1-2

 

DERBY v WATFORD 15.00, Pride Park

The Rams are winless thus far, but are boosted by their last minute leveller against Wolves. Theo Robinson it was who scored in that game and it is he, as last season’s top scorer, who Nigel Clough will be looking to add support to. To that end, Connor Sammon has joined from Wigan, easing the burden on Robinson and giving the attack a focal point.

Watford were an unknown quantity at the start of the season, with new owners, a new manager and a number of new players. Two wins from three in a solid start, including a stunning late comeback against Palace and convincing win over Birmingham, demonstrate a side gelling quickly under a new manager.

What to watch out for:

Matej Vydra, a Czech Under-21 international, was the loan player Watford fans were most excited about and he has made an instant impact in the Championship.

Possible line-ups:

Derby – Fielding, O’Connor, Brayford, Keogh, Roberts, Bryson, Coutts, Hendick, Hughes, Robinson, Sammon

Watford – Almunia, Doyley, Taylor, Nosworthy, Dickinson, Yeates, Hogg, Murray, Pudil, Abdi, Vydra

Recent form: Derby – DLD; Watford – WLW

Prediction: 1-1

 

HULL v BOLTON 15.00, The Circle

Steve Bruce has started his reign at Hull with a win, a defeat and a draw and he will be looking for his side to develop the consistency needed to match the owners ambition of promotion. Goals have not been easy to come by, with only two scored but the ex-defender has maintained the Tigers’ tight defence evidenced last season.

Bolton, among the favourites for promotion, have started in similar fashion to Hull. Having recovered from an opening day defeat to rivals Burnley with a win over Derby, they then let a lead slip against Nottingham Forest. Owen Coyle will be looking to his side to be more clinical in their hunt for promotion.

What to watch out for:

Marvin Sordell, a January signing from Watford, failed to make an impression in the Premier League but could be key to Bolton’s hopes this season.

Possible line-ups:

Hull – Amos, Rosenior, Chester, Bruce, Dudgeon, Faye, McKenna, Evans, Koran, Aluko, Proschwitz

Bolton – Bogdan, Mears, Mills, Knight, Ricketts, Eagles, Andrew, M Davies, Lee, K Davies, Sordell

Recent form: Hull – WLD; Bolton – LWD

Prediction: 2-2

 

IPSWICH v HUDDERSFIELD 15.00, Portman Road

The Tractor Boys’ defence was the fundamental reason why they struggled in the first half of last season and despite recruiting in that area, Paul Jewell’s side suffered a 6-0 hammering to Blackpool last time out. The second half capitulation, in which four goals were scored, will be a cause for concern for Town.

Huddersfield have begun life back in the Championship with four early season points, as Simon Grayson looks for his side to consolidate this term. A credible draw against Nottingham Forest was followed by a convincing win over Burnley. However, star striker Jordan Rhodes is rumoured to be close to leaving the club, which would undoubtedly be a dent in their ambitions.

What to watch out for:

Ex-Everton man James Vaughan has joined the Terriers on loan and his hard work and pace will add a dimension to Huddersfield’s attack.

Possible line-ups:

Ipswich – Loach, Edwards, Smith, Chambers, Cresswell, Martin, Emmanuel-Thomas, Drury, Luongo, Hyam, Chopra

Huddersfield – Smithies, Lynch, Hunt, P Clark, Dixon, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Ward, Vaughan, Novak

Recent form: Ipswich – DWL; Huddersfield – LDW

Prediction: 2-1

 

LEEDS v BLACKBURN 15.00, Elland Road

A Yorkshire – Lancashire derby at Elland Road, as both sides look to continue their solid starts to the season. Leeds have beaten teams expected to be at either end of the table in Wolves and Peterborough and Neil Warnock is looking to shape a side for another promotion. Leeds are expected to be active as the transfer window’s closure approaches.

Steve Keen appears to have been backed in the transfer market in a way he was not in the Premier League and the early signs are that his Rovers side will challenge for promotion. Unbeaten in their three games, they go into this encounter on the back of wins over Hull and Leicester.

What to watch out for:

Rovers are said to be close to the signing of Jordan Rhodes for a reported £8 million. The Scottish international could make his debut here with all eyes on him looking to make an instant impression.

Possible line-ups:

Leeds – Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Pearce, Drury, Austin, Norris, Diouf, Varney, Becchio, McCormack

Blackburn – Robinson, Ribero, Dann, Givet, Lowe, Etuhu, Murphy, Pedersen, M Olsson, Goodwillie, Nuno Gomes

Recent form: Leeds – WLW; Blackburn – DWW

Prediction: 1-0

 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST v CHARLTON 15.00, City Ground

Forest have come through a hectic summer and started the season unbeaten; a home win followed by two draws away from the City Ground. Sean O’Driscoll has seen a lot of changes in the squad and he will be content with the shape they have taken thus far as he looks to gel his side with more new faces expected at the club on 31 August.

Charlton ran away with the League One title last season and the Addicks are unbeaten on their return to the second tier. Striker Ricardo Fuller has signed to add a potent threat to their attack; last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Hull showed Charlton need more firepower if they are to consolidate this term.

What to watch out for:

Henri Lansbury has signed for Forest from Arsenal on a permanent basis and the young midfielder will be looking to start fulfilling the potential Arsène Wenger recognised from an early age.

Possible line-ups:

Nottingham Forest – Camp, Moloney, Halford, Collins, Harding, Gillett, Guedioura, McGugan, Reid, Cox, Blackstock

Charlton – Hamer, Morrison, Solly, Cort, Wiggins, Holland, Jackson, Stephens, Pritchard, Wright-Phillips, Fuller

Recent form: Forest – WDD; Charlton – DWD

Prediction: 2-1

 

LEICESTER v BLACKPOOL 17.20, KP Stadium

An opening day win for the Foxes has been followed by successive defeats and a horror showing in midweek against League Two Burton. While Nigel Pearson finds himself under early pressure from the ambitious owners and will be turning to Jamie Vardy, a record  £1m non-league transfer, who scored in the defeat to Blackburn and could be crucial to Leicester’s ambitions.

Ian Holloway comes up against his former side with his current team sitting top of the table with a 100% record. Blackpool are seeking a top flight return at the second time of asking but despite their excellent start, a concern for the Tangerines will be holding on to Matt Phillips and Tom Ince who are both rumoured to have Premier League suitors.

What to watch out for:

Tom Ince, son of former England midfielder Paul, is growing in stature as a player and he provides Blackpool with a cutting edge in the final third.

Possible line-ups:

Leicester – Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Marshall, Drinkwater, King, Dyer, Nugent, Vardy

Blackpool – Gilks, Baptiste, Eardley, Cathcart, Crainey, Gomes, Osbourne, Angel, Taylor-Flethcer, Ince, Phillips

Recent form: Leicester – WLL; Blackpool – WWW

Prediction: 2-2

 

CARDIFF v WOLVES 14.00, Cardiff City Stadium (Sunday)

Club rebranding, squad refreshing and Craig Bellamy joining were the highlights of Cardiff’s summer and Malky Mackay’s side are geared up for another crack at promotion. Craig Noone has joined from Brighton and at the time of writing, the club have agreed a fee with West Ham for Nicky Maynard. Mackay will be hoping this transfer activity helps the team bounce back from a lacklustre display against Bristol City.

Wolves have made a mixed start to the season, but with the dust settling on the departures of Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher, Stale Solbakken has been busy recruiting. Both Bakary Sako and Razak Boukari have joined the ranks, with the latter in particular looking to provide the guile needed to replace the quality of player that have left the club.

What to watch out for:

Peter Whittingham will be looked to rediscover his form of last season and control the midfield for Cardiff. Mixed with his set pieces, he is vital to Cardiff’s chances.

Possible line-ups:

Cardiff – Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Connolly, Gunnarsson, Mutch, Whittingham, Noone, Smith, Helguson

Wolves – Ikeme, Zubar, Johnson, Berra, Ward, Peszko, Edwards, Davis, Boukari, Ebanks-Blake, Doyle

Recent form: Cardiff – WDL; Wolves – LWD

Prediction: 1-0

 

 

 

 

Tags: Blackpool, Cardiff, Championship, Crystal Palace, sheffield wednesday, Watford