Football League Focus: Three games to watch this weekend

24 September 2010 11:57
As the Football League season enters its eighth round of fixtures, Daniel Jolly looks at three matches to keep an eye on this weekend.

Championship: Cardiff City v Millwall

In the early kick-off on Saturday, perennial play-off challengers Cardiff City take on newly-promoted Millwall at the Cardiff City stadium.

The Bluebirds have made a strong start to the season especially at their new home, where they are unbeaten in all competitions.

They have lost their last two games after travelling to fellow promotion hopefuls Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

Manager Dave Jones has some injury worries ahead of the visit of the London side. Influential frontman Michael Chopra is sidelined for two months with ruptured ankle ligaments with Craig Bellamy expected to join him on the sidelines. Seyi Olofinjana - who netted twice in their last home game against Hull - is also doubtful for the clash.

After four years away from the Championship, The Lions have made up for lost time with a confident start to the new campaign.

Kenny Jackett's side topped the table early on but are now without a win in four, losing their last game in embarrassing fashion, 6-1 at home to Watford.

Jackett will be able to call upon the services of loan strikers Kevin Lisbie and Theo Robinson for the trip to South Wales. Both were ineligible for the Carling Cup in midweek, as they were knocked out by Ipswich.

League One: Peterborough United v MK Dons

Peterborough welcome MK Dons to London Road as the two sides renew their rivalry once again. Seen as a highlight of the season for both sets of fans, past meetings suggest that this one will be an entertaining encounter.

Gary Johnson is looking to put a smile back on the faces of Posh fans after relegation last season, and may hand a debut to loan signing Matt Gill. The midfielder completed a loan move from Norwich this week, sealing a return to where he started his career.

Skipper Grant McCann will face a late fitness test while James Wesolowski and Ryan Bennett (both knee) are still unavailable for selection.

Dons Boss Karl Robinson will have a selection dilemma after Angelo Balanta limped out of their 3-1 Carling Cup defeat to Birmingham. Jabo Ibehre and Aaron Wilbraham are in line to replace Balanta, but Wilbraham could be preferred after rounding off an impressive display at St Andrews with a goal.

League Two: Northampton Town v Bradford City

Northampton are sure to get a rousing reception from the home fans as they return to Sixfields to take on struggling Bradford.

They upset the odds in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, as they triumphed against Premier League side Liverpool at Anfield. After an enthralling 2-2 draw, the Cobblers came through 4-2 on penalties with Ghanaian midfielder Abdul Osman netting the crucial spot-kick.

Boss Ian Sampson will be looking to translate their cup success into the league, after claiming only seven points from as many games.

Sampson will hope to welcome back defender John Johnson after he limped off in midweek, while Johnson's defensive counterpart Ben Tozer - on loan from Newcastle - is likely to retain his place.

Bradford, who were many people's tip to get promoted, have made a poor start to the season and currently lie in 19th place, just two places behind their opponents.

The statistics don't make good reading for Peter Taylor's men, with no win in their last three away games. And on Saturday they face a home side who haven't lost on their own patch in the last six.

Defender Simon Ramsden and Michael Flynn are unlikely to be risked by Taylor, despite the duo returning to training this week. New signing Lee Hendrie is set to start on the bench.

Source: DSG