Saturday, August 20
Birmingham (10) v Wolves (9)
Birmingham could again be without James Vaughan as the striker is still nursing the quad injury which kept him out of the 1-1 draw at Wigan on Tuesday. Che Adams and Greg Stewart are primed for their home debuts having joined from Sheffield United and Dundee respectively. The strikers were second-half substitutes at the DW Stadium in midweek.
Prince Oniangue could make his Wolves debut at St Andrew's after he joined from Reims this week. Nouha Dicko is closing in on a recovery from a year-long absence following a knee injury and could make the squad having played for the under-23s this week. Mike Williamson (glute) and Michal Zyro and Jordan Graham (both knee) are out for boss Walter Zenga along with defender Silvio.
Last season: Wolves 0 Birmingham 0, Birmingham 0 Wolves 2
Last five league matches: Birmingham D D D W D; Wolves D W D W D
Top scorers: David Davis, Jacques Maghoma & Michael Morrison (Birmingham) 1; Joe Mason (Wolves) 2
Match odds: H 8-5 A 8-5 D 21-10
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)
Blackburn (24) v Burton (18)
Blackburn defender Shane Duffy is suspended after being sent off in the midweek defeat at Cardiff. Manager Owen Coyle will hope Elliott Ward is sufficiently up to speed after a week's training following an ankle injury which has kept him out since the opening day of the season. Defender Adam Henley and midfielder Elliott Bennett (both hamstring) and Corry Evans (groin) are all still out.
Tom Flanagan is Burton's only injury concern. The defender is nursing a slight thigh problem following Tuesday night's home win over Sheffield Wednesday which earned the Brewers their first ever points in the Championship. Boss Nigel Clough has other players with minor bumps and bruises but nothing that will affect his team selection at Ewood Park. The likes of Hamza Choudhury, Lee Williamson, Calum Butcher, Damien McCrory and Marcus Harness are options for Clough, should he wish to make any changes.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Blackburn W W L L L; Burton W D L L W
Top scorers: Anthony Stokes (Blackburn) 2, Tom Naylor & Lloyd Dyer (Burton Albion) 2
Match odds: H 11-10 A 11-5 D 23-10
Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside)
Bristol City (8) v Newcastle (17)
Bristol City defender Derrick Williams will again be missing as his shoulder complaint has not healed in time. Robins boss Lee Johnson has confirmed that both goalkeeper Frank Fielding and Korey Smith are progressing well after ankle problems, but neither are likely to be involved. On-loan Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham and Jonathan Kodjia are again expected to link up in attack despite City drawing a blank for the first time this season in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Norwich.
Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will be missing as he completes his four-match ban. Manager Rafael Benitez had to do without midfielder duo Moussa Sissoko and Mohamed Diame for Wednesday's 4-1 victory over Reading because of ankle injuries, although the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Sissoko's future on Tyneside means he is unlikely to be involved anyway.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Bristol City W L W W L; Newcastle D W L L W
Top scorers: Tammy Abraham (Bristol City) 3; Dwight Gayle (Newcastle) 3
Match odds: H 11-5 A 23-20 D 11-5
Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)
Derby (16) v Aston Villa (12)
Derby boss Nigel Pearson expects to have an unchanged squad. Midfielder Jeff Hendrick is not likely to be back after missing the midweek win at Preston through injury. Striker Darren Bent will want to start against his old club and the likes of Bradley Johnson and Nick Blackman will also be hoping for recalls. Swedish full-back Marcus Olsson is close to being fully fit and available after suffering concussion during pre-season but George Thorne and Andreas Weimann, another former Aston Villa forward, remain out with leg and knee injuries respectively.
Midfielder Mile Jedinak could make his Villa debut after completing a move from Crystal Palace this week. Nathan Baker missed the midweek draw with Huddersfield as he continues to nurse a head injury but he is expected to be available to Roberto Di Matteo. Gabby Agbonlahor is unlikely to feature as he remains out of Di Matteo's plans.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Derby D L D L W; Aston Villa D L L W D
Top scorers: Richard Keogh & Craig Forsyth (Derby) 1; Rudy Gestede (Aston Villa) 2
Match odds: H 21-20 A 13-5 D 12-5
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)
Fulham (4) v Cardiff (14)
Sixteen-year-old Fulham left-back Ryan Sessegnon could be set for his home debut after producing an impressive display on his a first league outing for Slavisa Jokanovic's side in the midweek 1-1 draw at Leeds. Defender Scott Malone dropped to the bench at Elland Road, where midfielder Jozabed Sanchez Ruiz made a brief substitute appearance following his arrival from Rayo Vallecano. David Button could keep his place in goal, despite the return to fitness of Marcus Bettinelli. Defender Ryan Fredericks (ankle) remains unavailable.
Cardiff defender Jazz Richards should return to play against the club he left last month, having missed Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Blackburn after taking kicks to his calf and shin in training. Lee Peltier replaced Richards in midweek but he was forced off with an ankle injury in the second half and will be assessed ahead of the trip. Anthony Pilkington and Lex Immers will continue to fill the striking spots after Frederic Gounongbe was dropped to the bench in midweek.
Last season: Fulham 2 Cardiff 1, Cardiff 1 Fulham 1
Last five league matches: Fulham L W W W D; Cardiff L D D L W
Top scorers: Matt Smith (Fulham) 2, Cauley Woodrow (Fulham) 2
Match odds: A 23-20 A 11-5
Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire)
Huddersfield (3) v Barnsley (7)
Huddersfield will be without Joe Lolley, who was withdrawn from the midweek draw at Aston Villa at half-time due to a knock. Nahki Wells and Sean Scannell will be pushing for a recall to the starting line-up. Defender Jason Davidson joined Dutch side FC Groningen on loan this week for the rest of the season, while midfielder Dean Whitehead, who returned as an unused substitute at Villa after completing a three-match ban, is hoping to make his first appearance of the season. Goalkeeper Joe Murphy (shoulder) is head coach David Wagner's only absentee.
Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom is expected to field an unchanged starting line-up. He has no new injury or suspension worries. Striker Sam Winnall (hamstring) is Heckingbottom's only injury absentee, and is still several weeks away from a return to action. Sessi D'Almeida and George Moncur will have to be patient as they wait for their first league starts, as will Andy Yiadom, who has also started on the bench since the opening day of the season.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Huddersfield L L W W D; Barnsley D W L W W
Top scorers: Elias Kachunga & Josh Scowen (Barnsley) 2, Marley Watkins & Conor Hourihane (Barnsley) 2
Match odds: H 10-11 A 3-1 D 5-2
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)
Nottm Forest (19) v Wigan (11)
Nottingham Forest will be without the suspended Damien Perquis following his red card in Tuesday's defeat to Brentford, and boss Philippe Montanier will choose between Michael Mancienne and Thomas Lam to replace him in defence. Britt Assombalonga is fully fit again after a knock and the club-record signing is expected to be restored to the starting line-up while Oliver Burke could also be recalled. Striker Dexter Blackstock is closing in on a return from the injury that has prevented him from playing so far this season.
Jordi Gomez and Luke Garbutt come into Wigan's squad, midfielder Gomez having returned to the club from Sunderland and defender Garbutt having sealed his loan switch from Everton just before the midweek kick-off against Birmingham. Latics picked up no new injuries in that contest, though Nick Powell appeared exhausted having completed his first 90 minutes since March, so Shaun MacDonald may be considered for a full debut. Left-backs Reece James (ankle) and Andy Kellett (knee) are long-term absentees, while Kyle Knoyle (elbow) and Donervon Daniels, who had surgery on a knee injury on Wednesday, are also out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Nottm Forest D W W L L; Wigan W L L W D
Top scorers: Britt Assombalonga (Nottm Forest) 2; Will Grigg (Wigan) 2
Match odds: H 13-10 A 15-8 D 9-4
Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight)
QPR (5) v Preston (23)
QPR will be without defender Grant Hall through suspension after he was sent off for two cautions in the midweek defeat at Barnsley. Ben Gladwin remains sidelined by an ankle problem, so Yeni Ngbakoto could come into midfield again. Defender Joel Lynch is recovering from an abdominal injury, while midfielder Ariel Borysiuk (ankle), defender Jack Robinson (shin splints) and forward Jamie Mackie (ankle) are still in the treatment room.
Winless Preston have doubts over defender Paul Huntington, who missed the 1-0 defeat to Derby in midweek due to an abdominal strain. North End will again be without Joe Garner, who is expected to complete his move to Rangers ahead of the weekend, but Simon Makienok (thigh) made his debut on Tuesday to bolster boss Simon Grayson's attacking options. Calum Woods and Stevie May (both knee) are long-term absentees for the Lilywhites.
Last season: Preston 1 QPR 1, QPR 0 Preston 0
Last five league matches: QPR L W W W L; Preston W D L L L
Top scorers: Tjaronn Chery (QPR) 3; Eoin Doyle & Callum Robinson (Preston) 1
Match odds: H 10-11 A 14-5 D 9-4
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)
Reading (20) v Brighton (1)
Reading pair Joseph Mendes, a summer signing from Le Havre, and Stephen Quinn, coming back from injury, could make their first starts of the season. Liechtenstein midfielder Sandro Wieser joined Jaap Stam's side on Thursday but the game may come too soon for him to feature. Striker Dominic Samuel remains sidelined with a knee injury picked up during pre-season.
Brighton should have goalkeeper David Stockdale fit from a shin injury. Niki Maenpaa stood in for the midweek win over Rotherham, returning a clean sheet, so manager Chris Hughton could face a selection dilemma. Defender Connor Goldson continues his recovery from medial knee ligament damage, while Uwe Hunemeier (groin) is also closing in on a return. Winger Solly March is progressing well from his long-term knee problem and could have a run-out for the Seagulls' under-23 side next week.
Last season: Brighton 1 Reading 0, Reading 1 Brighton 1
Last five league matches: Reading L L W L L; Brighton D D D W W
Top scorers: Joey van den Berg, Garath McCleary, John Swift & Roy Beerens (Reading) 1; Glenn Murray (Brighton) 3
Match odds: H 12-5 A 6-5 D 11-5
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Rotherham (22) v Brentford (6)
Izzy Brown, Rotherham's new loan signing from Chelsea, is in contention to make his debut. Jake Forster-Caskey should return to the starting XI after being ineligible for the midweek loss at his parent club, Brighton, while Kirk Broadfoot could have recovered from a hamstring problem. Lee Frecklington (calf) is expected to miss out, and, despite returning to training, neither Joe Newell nor Aimen Belaid will play a part.
Bees boss Dean Smith must decide whether to change a winning side. Forward Scott Hogan completed his third 90 minutes of the season against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, with his goal enough to secure a 1-0 victory at Griffin Park. Midfielder Lewis Macleod (ankle) will be assessed, while defender Maxime Colin is hoping to retain his place having shaken off a calf problem. Forward Lasse Vibe has been away with Denmark at the Olympics, so may need more time to recover. Midfielder Alan Judge, who broke his leg in April, remains out.
Last season: Rotherham 2 Brentford 1, Brentford 2 Rotherham 1
Last five league matches: Rotherham L L D L L; Brentford W W L W W
Top scorers: Jerry Yates (Rotherham) 2; John Egan (Brentford) 2
Match odds: H 7-4 A 7-5 D 11-5
Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire)
Sheff Wed (15) v Leeds (21)
Sheffield Wednesday's new signing David Jones is in contention for his debut after joining for an undisclosed fee from Burnley this week. The Owls will also be boosted by the return to fitness of defender Tom Lees in time to face his former club. Lees missed the midweek defeat at Burton due to a foot injury but was back in full training on Thursday. Fellow centre-half Glenn Loovens (ankle) is still out but is closing in on a return and midfielder Jose Semedo is struggling with a muscle strain that forced him off at Burton.
Leeds hope to include new signings Liam Bridcutt and Pontus Jansson in their squad. Luke Ayling will continue at right-back as Gaetano Berardi has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury. Head coach Garry Monk has no new injury or suspension problems, while Hadi Sacko, Alex Mowatt and Sol Bamba are pushing for recalls as Leeds chase their first league win of the season.
Last season: Sheff Wed 2 Leeds 0, Leeds 1 Sheff Wed 1
Last five league matches: Sheff Wed W L W D L; Leeds L D L L D
Top scorers: Gary Hooper, Eduardo Lucas Joao & Fernando Forestieri (Sheff Wed) 1, ; Chris Wood (Leeds) 2
Match odds: H 3-4 A 7-2 D 23-10
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
Sunday, August 21
Ipswich (13) v Norwich (2)
Ipswich could have striker Brett Pitman back from a thigh problem. Midfielder Conor Grant, on loan from Everton, remains sidelined with a groin injury suffered in training. Forward David McGoldrick does not require surgery on an ankle ligament injury, but is set for several weeks of rehabilitation. Midfielder Luke Hyam will miss out again as he recovers from a pre-season knee problem, as will Giles Coke (knee).
Norwich could welcome winger Jacob Murphy back from a hamstring injury. Murphy has not featured since the opening-day win at Blackburn. Goalkeeper John Ruddy (groin) is not expected to be fit, so Michael McGovern should retain his place in the starting XI after a clean sheet in the midweek 1-0 home win over Bristol City. Full-back Martin Olsson (hamstring) is also unlikely to be involved, and neither is midfielder Graham Dorrans (groin). Alex Pritchard (side strain) is still out, with Matt Jarvis (knee) a long-term absentee.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Ipswich W W W L D; Norwich W L W D W
Top scorers: Grant Ward (Ipswich) 3; Jacob Murphy, Wes Hoolahan, Jonathan Howson, Cameron Jerome & Steven Naismith (Norwich) 1
Match odds: H 11-5 A 5-4 D 9-4
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Source: PA-WIRE
