CHAMPIONSHIP: WEEKEND PREVIEW

Once again, Cardiff City will be on television and featuring on the Saturday lunchtime slot. After two impressive wins in front of the home City faithful, Russell Slade will now face his first test on the road, at Millwall. Cardiff will be looking to make it three wins in a row for the first time this league campaign and at the same time record their first league win away from the Welsh capital. It would also mark two TV triumphs within a week. A positive for travelling Bluebirds is that the Lions sit at the foot of the form tables with four points in their last eight games, with all points coming from draws. 

The Championship action is not just reserved for Saturday, as Fulham welcome London rivals Charlton Athletic to Craven Cottage on Friday evening. It is the first league meeting between the two teams since they met in the Premier League back in 2006. However, their last encounter was in the FA Cup in 2012, where a Clint Dempsey hat trick helped the Cottagers to a 4-0 victory over the Addicks. There may be fifteen places between the two clubs in the league standings, but form tables point to a close affair. Fulham do remain in 22nd position but they seem to be turning their season around. With just one defeat in their last five they could prove to be tricky opponents for a Charlton outfit who have only lost once in this Championship campaign. 

Second meet third on Saturday afternoon as Watford make the long trip north to play Middlesbrough. The 474 mile round trip will be a lot easier for Hornets’ fans if they gain a win, but could prove to be a tough task. Under the stewardship of Aitor Karanka, the Boro’, despite a loss last time out, have only one defeat in their last eight fixtures. 

Watford fans will not be the only ones making lengthy trips this weekend. Rotherham United fans will be travelling in the opposite direction down the country down to Sussex to face Brighton and Hove Albion. The Millers have 454 miles to travel in order to support their side. They will be in good spirits as United come into the game on the back of a four fixture unbeaten run. On the flip side, Sami Hyypia’s Seagulls have failed to record a victory in their last eight games.

Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers meet at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon with both clubs in similar form. Both have recorded two wins in their last eight league games and combined have notched up nine draws out of sixteen games. However, Wolves will be hoping for back-to-back wins for the first time since the end of August as they look to maintain their lofty league position, currently lying in fourth. The Whites will be disappointed with their current placing of 15th, but could move as high as 10th with a home win.

A potentially eye catching encounter is the match up of Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers at the City Ground. After differing starts, just three points separate Stuart Pearce and Gary Bowyer’s men. At the end of August, Forest were top as Rovers languished down in fourteenth and if the Lancashire team record their sixth win of the season, they could find themselves level with their opponents come Saturday evening.

Fulham v Charlton Athletic (7:45pm KO)

Millwall v Cardiff City (12.15pm KO) 

Birmingham City v Bournemouth

Bolton Wanderers v Brentford

Brighton and Hove Albion v Rotherham United

Derby County v Wigan Athletic

Ipswich Town v Huddersfield Town

Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Middlesbrough v Watford

Nottingham Forest v Blackburn Rovers

Reading v Blackpool

Sheffield Wednesday v Norwich City