Championship preview

25 September 2009 11:04
Table-topping West Bromwich Albion look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they host Crystal Palace on Saturday. Newcastle are the only side could who could take the top-spot off the Baggies as they travel to Ipswich Town in Saturday's late kick-off. West Brom are in buoyant mood following their 5-0 demolition of Middlesbrough last week and they will look to maintain top-spot against Palace at the Hawhorns. Any sort of slip-up by Roberto di Matteo's men, and Newcastle could take advantage as they will look to pile the misery on Roy Keane's Ipswich, after their horrendous start to the new season. Middlesbrough are still licking their wounds from their thrashing by West Brom, and they face a first-ever league match at the Ricoh Arena as they tackle Coventry City. Boro's defeat last week allowed a host of clubs to close the gap on the top-three, and up to seven clubs could climb above Gareth Southgate's men this weekend. Preston and Sheffield United are just one point adrift of Boro, but they also face away trips. Alan Irvine's men go to Leicester - who could in theory also make the leap into third despite their current position of ninth, while the Blades travel to South Wales to face Swansea. While United travel to Wales, Cardiff face the opposite journey as they take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Ian Holloway's Blackpool have made a brilliant start to the new season and are looking to push into the play-off places this weekend as they host Peterborough United. Watford and Bristol City are the other sides who could not only climb into the top six but the top three. Both are on the road as Watford face the short-trip down the M4 to face Reading. Gary Johnson's Bristol City head to Pride Park to take on Derby County. Barnsley will look to continue their revival under Mark Robins as they travel to the capital to take on Queens Park Rangers. Saturday's early kick-off sees Doncaster travel to local rivals Scunthorpe United. And on Sunday you can see Nottingham Forest's trip to Plymouth Argyle live on Sky Sports 1.

Source: SKY_Sports