The jostle for position in the Championship resumes this weekend after an international break and three derbies take centre stage. Crystal Palace visit Charlton in a South London derby on Friday which is followed by two East v West Midlands clashes as Nottingham Forest host Birmingham on Saturday and Leicester travel to Wolves on Sunday.

Blackpool, sitting top after four games, will look to maintain their position with a trip to Barnsley, while Blackburn will have to beat Bristol City if they are to try and get into pole position. Peterborough still hunt for their first point of the season and will aim to get it in their encounter at Burnley. Elsewhere, Cardiff and Leeds meet as both sides seek to establish their promotion credentials.

 

BRIGHTON v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 19.45, Amex Stadium (Friday)

Back to back wins have given Albion a bit of early season momentum. Gus Poyet’s side have scored eight goals in their last two outings, including three in an impressive win at Burnley. With an expanded stadium, ambitions remain high at Brighton and the pressure will be on to maintain their promising start.

Sheffield Wednesday suffered their first defeat in 19 games under Dave Jones as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Owls have signed defender Martin Taylor from Watford to add organisation and experience to the back line while Jay Bothroyd could be in line to make his debut for Wednesday up front.

What to watch out for:

Jay Bothroyd is reunited with Dave Jones, the manager for whom he has performed with the greatest consistency. As his spell at Cardiff showed, he is a threat at this level and he could make the difference for the Owls.

Possible line-ups:

Brighton – Kuszczak, Bruno, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge, Orlandini, Crofts, Dicker, Bridcutt, Dobie, Mackail-Smith

Wednesday – Kirkland, Buxton, R Johnson, Taylor, Llera, J Johnson, Semedo, McCabe, Antoni, Bothroyd, Rodri

Recent form: Brighton – LDWW; Wednesday – DWWL

Prediction: 2-2

 

CHARLTON v CRYSTAL PALACE 19.45, The Valley

Charlton have made a steady return to the second tier, picking up five points from their opening encounters. Chris Powell has performed a steady building job at the Valley and he will have his troops fired up for this south London derby. Along with Powell, Rhoys Wiggins and Ricardo Fuller are coming up against their former side here.

Palace recovered from three straight defeats with a win over Sheffield Wednesday, with striker Glenn Murray returning from injury to net a brace. Dougie Freedman had an active transfer window, bringing in nine players including Brazilian Andre Moritz and he will be focussed on the Eagles progression as the team begin to gel.

What to watch out for:

England Under 21 international Wilfred Zaha, on the watch list for a number of Premier League clubs, is in line to make his 100^th appearance for Palace. The tricky winger will be looking to celebrate this landmark in style.

Possible line-ups:

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

Palace – Speroni, Blake, Ramage, Delaney, Parr, Jedinak, Garvan, Zaha, Moritz, Williams, Murray

Recent form: Charlton – DWDL; Palace – LLLW

Prediction: 1-2

 

BARNSLEY v BLACKPOOL 15.00, Oakwell (Saturday)

For the second season in a row, Barnsley find themselves among the favourites for relegation but have again made a confident start to the season. Keith Hill’s men have won both of their home games without conceding a goal; the latest clean sheet came on the back of conceding five against Brighton.

Blackpool came out all guns blazing at the start of the season with three straight wins, but their progress was checked with a 1-0 defeat at Ian Holloway’s former club Leicester. The Seasiders added two strikers late on deadline day with Nathans Eccleston and Delfouneso joining from Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively.

What to watch out for:

Matt Phillips, whose Premier League move did not materialise, was on the bench for Blackpool’s last game but the exciting winger will be working hard to break back into the first team and establish some form.

Possible line-ups:

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

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

Recent form: Barnsley – WLLW; Blackpool – WWWL

Prediction: 0-2

 

BOLTON v WATFORD 15.00, Reebok Stadium

Wanderers have made a stuttered start to life in the Championship, with one of the pre-season favourites for promotion winning just one of their four games. The 3-1 defeat at Hull was compounded by Wanderers woes in front of goal, with the Trotters converting just one of the 12 efforts they had.

Watford have begun the season with the inconsistency that would be expected of side that has undergone the changes they have experienced. Defeats have followed each of their wins this term and Gianfranco Zola will be looking for his side to hit back after a 5-1 thumping at Derby last time out.

What to watch out for:

Matej Vydra has settled into the Championship with three goals in his first four games for Watford and he will be determined to continue this form for the duration of his loan spell.

Possible line-ups:

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

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

Recent form: Bolton – LWDL; Watford – WLWL

Prediction: 1-1

 

BRISTOL CITY v BLACKBURN 15.00, Ashton Gate

The Robins have won both of their home games so far this term; addressing a key reason for their short comings last season. Derek McInnes has been backed heavily in the transfer market in the summer with the club looking to fight for promotion rather than battling for survival. However, their impressive victory over Cardiff was followed by a sluggish defeat to Barnsley.

Blackburn are undefeated this season, winning their home games and drawing away from Ewood Park. Steve Kean remains under pressure to deliver promotion and he will be hoping his side maintains their early season momentum. To that end, Rovers have utilised their parachute payments with the pricey acquisition of Jordan Rhodes from Huddersfield.

What to watch out for:

Both sides have invested in strikers, with Sam Baldock and Jordan Rhodes going to head to head here, watch out for lots of shots on goal.

Possible line-ups:

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

Blackburn – Robinson, Ribero, Dann, Givet, M Olsson, Etuhu, Murphy, Pedersen, Formica, Rhodes, Nuno Gomes

Recent form: Bristol City – LWWL; Blackburn – DWWD

Prediction: 2-1

 

BURNLEY v PETERBOROUGH 15.00, Turf Moor

An opening day win has been followed by three successive defeats for Burnley. Eddie Howe had hoped his side would not start slowly like last season, a start which cost them a challenge for the top six. Howe will be eager for his side to learn from the disappointing home defeat to Brighton and for the Clarets to push on.

Peterborough have gone one better than the hosts and lost four on the bounce as they endure a torrid start to the season. While Paul Taylor has left, much rests on the shoulders of the unsettled George Boyd to provide an attacking impetus for the Posh.

What to watch out for:

With both sides coming into the game with a run of defeats, something has to change here. Expect a cagey affair as both managers look to avoid another point free encounter.

Possible line-ups:

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

Peterborough – Olejnik, Little, Brisley, Zakuani, Alcock, Bostwick, Swanson, McCann, Tomlin, Boyd, Barnett

Recent form: Burnley  -WLLL; Peterborough – LLLL

Prediction: 2-0

 

CARDIFF v LEEDS UNITED 15.00, Cardiff City Stadium

Cardiff have picked up seven points in a solid start to a campaign in which promotion is once again the aim. A convincing win over recently relegated Wolves saw Nicky Maynard debut for the Bluebirds, but it was midfielder Peter Whittingham, the most important cog in the Cardiff wheel, who netted a hat-trick.

Leeds have made a similar start to the hosts as Neil Warnock plots a promotion push of his own. An entertaining 3-3 draw against Blackburn, in which United came back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, demonstrated the quality now at Warnock’s disposal and how he is making the side his own.

What to watch out for:

El-Hadji Diouf has penned a deal until January at Elland Road and the forward is the sort of match winner Neil Warnock embraces.

Possible line-ups:

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

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

Recent form: Cardiff – WDLW; Leeds – WLWD

Prediction: 2-1

 

HUDDERSFIELD v DERBY 15.00, Galpharm Stadium

A hard fought draw at Ipswich before the international break demonstrated the progress Simon Grayson’s side has made, with a number of new players beginning to bed in at the Galpharm Stadium. Unbeaten since their opening day defeat, Grayson will be hoping for his side to build on a strong start to the season.

Derby thumped Watford 5-1 in their last game and the Rams will be looking to maintain that goal scoring edge which was so often lacking last season. The five goals were all scored by different players, including a first goal for the club for Connor Sammon, a £1.2 million signing from Wigan.

What to watch out for:

James Vaughan signed for Huddersfield on loan from Norwich to try and fill the void left by Jordan Rhodes. He is already off the mark for the Terriers and will be eager to excel and stay injury free.

Possible line-ups:

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

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

Recent form: Derby – DLDW; Huddersfield – LDWD

Prediction: 2-0

 

HULL v MILLWALL 15.00, The Circle

Having won both of their home games, Steve Bruce has made an instant impression as the Tigers’ new manager. A convincing 3-1 win over Bolton laid down a marker for the rest of the season and new signings Sone Aluko and Stephen Quinn have made positive early impacts. However, striker Nick Proschwitz is yet to hit his stride for Hull.

Millwall spent much of last season struggling for form and have made a mixed start to this season, winning and losing two games. Midfielder Liam Trotter scored in the 3-1 defeat of Middlesbrough and he will be key to the Lions’ season with his energy and drive.

What to watch out for:

Andy Keogh, signed from Wolves in January, got his first goals of the season in Millwall’s last outing and his movement will keep the Hull back line busy.

Possible line-ups:

Hull – Amos, Chester, Bruce, Dudgeon, Faye, Olofinjana, Elmohamady, Koran, Quinn, Aluko, Simpson

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

Recent form: Hull – WLDW; Millwall – LWLW

Prediction: 1-0

 

MIDDLESBROUGH v IPSWICH 15.00, Riverside Stadium

Last season’s inconsistency has crept into this term for ‘Boro; Tony Mowbray’s side have won both their home games but suffered defeat away from home. A 3-1 defeat to Millwall before the international break was followed by the signing of defender Andre Bikey, continuing Mowbray’s active summer of transfers.

Ipswich seem to have not addressed their defensive failings of last season, conceding nine goals in their four games to date. A 2-2 draw at home to Huddersfield followed a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Blackpool and Paul Jewell has made no secret of his desire to being another centre back to Portman Road.

What to watch out for:

Michael Chopra had well-publicised struggles last season but he has looked sharp so far this term, scoring two goals and creating problems for opposition defences.

Possible line-ups:

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

Ipswich – Loach, Ainsley, Smith, Chambers, Cresswell, Martin, Drury, Luongo, Murphy, Taylor,  Chopra

Recent form: Middlesbrough – LWWL; Ipswich – DWLD

Prediction: 3-2

 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BIRMINGHAM 15.00, City Ground

Sean O’Driscoll’s major rebuilding project at Forest has seen his side start the season unbeaten, picking up maximum points at home. A narrow win over Charlton did not reflect their true domination in that game and the Reds will be hoping the loss of Simon Cox to injury for this game does not blunt their attack.

The Blues registered their first win of the campaign against Peterborough and Lee Clark will be looking to his side to build on that. A lack of cutting edge in the final third has seen Clark draft in Swansea’s Leroy Lita on a three month loan.

What to watch out for:

Billy Sharp and James Coppinger were both crucial to the positive results Sean O’Driscoll got at Doncaster and he will be hoping the pair have an equally positive impact on his Forest side.

Possible line-ups:

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

Birmingham – Butland, Spector, Caldwell, Pablo, Murphy, Elliott, Burke, Mullins, Caddis, Lita, Lovenkrands

Recent form: Forest – WDDW; Birmingham – DLLW

Prediction: 2-2

 

WOLVES v LEICESTER 13.15, Molineux (Sunday)

Wolves, favourites for promotion, have won just one of their games this season and a 3-1 defeat to Cardiff only served to highlight the size of the task ahead for Stale Solbakken. The Norwegian manager will have to adapt to the Championship quickly if Wolves are to establish themselves as genuine promotion contenders.

Leicester have also been tipped to challenge for promotion, but they will need to address their away form if the challenge is to materialise. The Foxes have lost both of the games on the road this season, but they will have gained confidence from the win over Blackpool in their last outing.

What to watch out for:

England Under-21 winger Ben Marshall, also captaining the Foxes, is one to watch with a burst of pace and quality on the ball.

Possible line-ups:

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

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

Recent form: Wolves – LWDL; Leicester – WLLW

Prediction: 1-2

 

 

 

Tags: Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Wolves