Championship Preview
Thursday, 21st Aug 2008 22:03

With the season now in full swing, LFW’s takes a look ahead to this Saturday’s action in the Coca Cola Championship.

In what has become known as the League where anyone can beat each other, there are just 3 teams with 100% records after just two games and just 9 in total remain unbeaten.

Coventry, Preston and Birmingham fill the top three spots and just how many times did the annoying, Richard Keys mention that the Sky Blues are top of the league in last Sunday’s live Premier League games? This week, Coventry take on unbeaten Bristol City at the Ricoh Arena.

Preston travel to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday, who started with a thumping 4-1 over Burnley on the opening day, only to follow that up with a thumping 4-1 defeat away at Wolves last week. Preston will be looking to make it 3 out of 3 after successes over Palace and Ipswich in their first two games.

With all due respect, Birmingham probably have the home banker of the day as they take on Barnsley at St Andrews. The Tykes have had a wretched start, losing at QPR on the opening day and at home to Coventry last week. Sandwiched in between that, they were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Crewe.

Other teams yet to get off the mark are Southampton and Burnley. Conceding late goals have been the Saints downfall so far and things get no easier for them with a trip to Pride Park to take on Derby. Burnley’s problem so far seems to be at the back and they have shipped 7 goals in two games and scored just once. This weekend, they face a long haul down to South London to take on Crystal Palace.

Elsewhere, and Sky have chosen the clashes between Charlton and Reading at the Valley and Swansea’s visit to Plymouth as their live games.

This Saturday’s Championship fixtures in full;

Birmingham City v Barnsley

Blackpool v Sheffield United

Cardiff City v Norwich City

Charlton Athletic v Reading 12:45

Coventry City v Bristol City

Crystal Palace v Burnley

Derby County v Southampton

Ipswich Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Nottingham Forest v Watford

Plymouth Argyle v Swansea City 17:20