Championship preview

11 September 2009 12:03
In-form Newcastle travel to Cardiff on Sunday in the pick of the Championship fixtures this weekend, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1. Chris Hughton's Magpies have racked up an impressive 13 points from five games but come up against a Cardiff side with an excellent home record - having won every game at the Cardiff City Stadium this season. Elsewhere, Roy Keane's struggling Ipswich side face a tough task when they travel to the Riverside Stadium to face Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough. The Tractor Boys have only managed a miserly two points after a dreadful start, and they take on a Boro side boosted by the return of midfielder Gary O'Neil. Second-place West Brom are hoping to have new signing Gonzalo Jara available for their clash against Plymouth at the Hawthorns. The Chilean is waiting on the outcome of a visa application before being allowed to start his Baggies career. Sheffield United head to Derby for a 1pm kick-off on Saturday. After a week in which goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was banned from playing for nine months after a failed drugs test, the Blades will be looking to put that behind them when they travel to Pride Park. Dutch midfielder Evander Sno is set to make his debut for Bristol City when they travel to the Ricoh Arena to face Coventry, having signed on a season-long loan from Ajax. Former Sheffield United and Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard is set to play his first game for Reading when South Yorkshire outift Doncaster travel to the Madejski Stadium. Ninth-placed Leicester take on 10th-placed Blackpool at the Walkers Stadium, with Nigel Pearson's side looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle. Swansea City have had a poor start to the season but could be buoyed by the return of cult hero Lee Trundle. However, the Swans face a tough afternoon as they travel to sixth-placed Preston. New Barnsley manager Mark Robins will be hoping his arrival will kick-start the Tykes' campaign. Having only accrued one point from their opening five games they play Watford at Vicarage Road requiring a much-needed result. Last time out Nottingham Forest were caught up in a heated affair with local rivals Derby, and they will be hoping they can see off Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough without any controversy. Elsewehere in the Championship, Scunthorpe face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, while Darren Ferguson's Peterborough travel to QPR.

Source: SKY_Sports