FourFourTwo’s preview of the Championship this weekend, as Cardiff and Ipswich look to extend their winning streaks, while Leeds prepare for life after Chris Wood as they face Nottingham Forest in the late kick off.
BRISTOL CITY VS ASTON VILLA (SATURDAY, 4:45AM AEST)
The big talking point: Can Conor Hourihane score in a third consecutive match for Villa? The Villa midfielder has been on fire in his recent games and he’ll look to continue his fine form against the Robins. However, he might struggle against a side who is won their last five home leagues on a Friday.
What will happen: Villa’s midfield will wreak havoc on Bristol’s defence. Robins’ captain, Bailey Wright will struggle to deal with Aston Villa’s strong attacking players. If the Robins want any chance of winning, they’re going to have to outscore their opponents.
What won’t happen: The return of Villa striker, Jonathan Kodjia. The former Bristol City player is out with a broken ankle and won’t get the chance to face his former employer.
FFT predicts: 2-2
HULL CITY VS BOLTON WANDERERS (SATURDAY 4:45AM AEST)
The big talking point: Bolton’s away record in the Championship. The Trotters haven’t tasted victory away from home since April 2015. Bolton may get the chance to break the drought this weekend, as Phil Parkinson’s team face a Hull side which has lost their last two league games. While Leonid Slutsky will rue the loss of star midfielder, Sam Clucas to Swansea. The young midfielder was unable to refuse the opportunity to return to England’s top flight.
What will happen: Hull won’t make the same costly mistakes like last week. The Tigers will look for a strong defensive performance as they aim to keep a clean sheet against a Bolton side which has struggled for goals.
What won’t happen: A convincing performance from either side. The Tigers have lost their bite and won’t necessarily be at their best against Bolton, but they should still get the job done.
FFT predicts: 2-0
BARNSLEY VS SUNDERLAND (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Sunderland’s response after their first loss of the campaign. Grayson’s men went down to Leeds at The Stadium of Light. The Black Cats have showed what they’re capable of under the new manager and will hope that last week’s performance doesn’t become a regular occurrence.
What will happen: A close encounter. Both sides promote youth so expect some eye-catching performances from Sunderland young guns, George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch. Barnsley will be relying on striker, Tom Bradshaw to find the goals in this encounter at Oakwell.
What won’t happen: A poor showing from The Black Cats. The north-east club have collected four points from their first two away fixtures this campaign. If they can continue that form on the road then a place in the playoffs in May, might not be out of the question.
FFT predicts: 1-3
BIRMINGHAM CITY VS READING (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Birmingham’s latest recruitment drive. Harry Redknapp has brought in Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson and Cohen Bramall, plus Southampton’s Sam Gallagher on loan until the end of the season. Bramall made his debut for The Blues in their midweek EFL Cup tie with Bournemouth, while this weekend could see Jenkinson make his league debut for the Midlands outfit.
What will happen: Birmingham will add to The Royals early season woes. Harry Redknapp boasts an impressive record against Reading, having only lost one of his last 13 league games against them. If he wants the trend to continue, he’ll need to rely on the club’s top goal scorer, Jacques Maghoma as well as new striker, Isaac Vassell.
What won’t happen: A repeat of last year. In this fixture, last campaign, Reading bucked the trend as they defeated The Blues 1-0 at St Andrews. The Royals will most likely be on the wrong side of the scoreline this weekend, however it depends if they decide to show up or not.
FFT predicts: 2-1
BRENTFORD VS WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Brentford winless in their last six league games. The Bees sit bottom of the table with just the one point to their name. Wolves, on the other hand have had a blistering start to their campaign and only tasted defeat for the first time in their latest game against Cardiff.
What will happen: The game will finish all square. Brentford will look to take advantage of their home field advantage as they look to kick start their campaign. The support at Griffin Park will be enough to spur on the side to a draw. Look out for both sides’ playmakers, Brentford’s Jota and Wolves’ Ruben Neves. Both players will look to make the difference for their respective sides going forward.
What won’t happen: A five-star performance in front of their own fans. Although, Brentford may have enough in the tank to ensure that they don’t extend their poor record, don’t expect them to be perfect.
FFT predicts: 2-2
BURTON ALBION VS SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Can the Brewers secure back to back wins? Burton boss, Nigel Clough holds an impressive record against Wednesday, he’s never lost a league match against them. This will come as welcome news for a side which is struggling to kick start their campaign. If this match sticks to the form book, then expect a very happy outing for the Brewers.
What will happen: Jackson Irvine will get on the scoresheet. The Australian midfielder has had a relatively slow start to the season. The 24-year-old will look to combine with strike partner, Marvin Sordell as he looks to build upon his form in front of goal. A goal against the Owls will put him in good stead for the Socceroos upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
What won’t happen: A poor display from the Owls. Carlos Carvalhal’s men will put on a balanced performance against The Brewers. Albion must be at their best if they want to break through the Yorkshire outfit.
FFT predicts: 2-2
CARDIFF CITY VS QUEENS PARK RANGERS (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Cardiff’s unblemished record. The Bluebirds sit top of the Championship table as they look to continue their winning streak against QPR. Neil Warnock will get the chance to get one over QPR. However, as it stands, he doesn’t have the best of records against his former club.
What will happen: Plenty of drama. Both sides have been entertaining from a neutral perspective, whether it be Cardiff’s attacking football or QPR’s never say die attitude. Both outfits will go into this encounter high on expectation as they look to build upon their recent results.
What won’t happen: Cardiff won’t rely on Kenneth Zohore to provide the matchwinner. The Welsh club promote an abundance of attacking talent which will reduce the workload on the Danish striker. Keep an eye out for Omar Bogle, a new arrival from Wigan Athletic who’s expected to make his league debut.
FFT predicts: 3-2
IPSWICH TOWN VS FULHAM (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: When will the wheels fall off for the Tractor Boys? Mick McCarthy’s men continue to defy the odds with their perfect start to the campaign. Will time run out against visitors, Fulham? The home side don’t have the best of records against The Cottagers, who have lost just one of their last 10 league games on the road.
What will happen: Ipswich will rely on their leading marksman, Martyn Waghorn. The striker has four goals to his name and is largely responsible for the Tractor Boys impressive league standing. They’ll be hoping that he can hit the back of the net early in this encounter as they look to inflict another defeat on the West London outfit.
What won’t happen: A flurry of Fulham goals. The Cottagers may have enough in their ranks to cause a draw but their most recent performances indicate that they might struggle to convert enough opportunities to win the game.
FFT predicts: 1-1
MIDDLESBROUGH VS PRESTON NORTH END (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Where are Boro heading? The north-east club are yet to achieve any level of consistency this campaign. They were outclassed in their most recent fixture with Nottingham Forest and have failed to dominate in the opening matches of the season.
What will happen: Relief at the Riverside. Middlesbrough haven’t lost against Preston North End in their previous 10 league encounters. However, Garry Monk should be wary of the Lancashire club who produced a strong performance in their victory over Reading last weekend.
What won’t happen: A warm reception for Preston manager, Alex Neill. The last time he faced Middlesbrough, The Lilywhite boss oversaw Norwich City as his former side beat Boro 2-0 in the 2014/15 Championship play-off final. Middlesbrough supporters won’t forgive or forget Alex Neill, for being the man responsible for their club’s heartbreak play-off defeat.
FFT predicts: 2-0
MILLWALL VS NORWICH CITY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: The Lions are barely making a whimper. Yet to win this campaign, Neil Harris’s side face a stern test in their upcoming opposition, Norwich City. The Canaries are on a three-match winning streak against Millwall and look all odds to make it four in a row this weekend.
What will happen: Steve Morison will get no luck against his former side. The Millwall striker was pivotal in their promotion campaign, however his side have struggled to deal with life in the Championship. Despite their poor start to the season, Millwall goalkeeper, Jordan Archer has been rewarded with his first call-up to the Scotland squad. The 24-year-old has been a star performer for the Lions in their opening fixtures.
What won’t happen: Nelson Oliveira in Norwich’s starting line-up. Despite leading the goal scoring charts for his club, the 26-year-old is yet to be named in Daniel Farke’s starting line-up. It seems that Farke still hasn’t forgiven the Portuguese striker for his on-field antics in their first-round encounter with Fulham.
FFT predicts: 1-3
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS DERBY COUNTY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Make Bramall Lane a fortress. The Blades have secured maximum points from their league fixtures at home this season. If they want to build upon last year’s promotion winning campaign, they’ll need to make sure that they can deliver results in their own backyard. With Billy Sharp fit and on the scoresheet, the Yorkshire based outfit stand a chance against any side.
What will happen: A battle across the middle of the park. If United want to stand a chance in this encounter, they’ll need to contain Derby’s talented midfield. The home side will also have to contend with in form Rams striker, David Nugent who’s fresh from scoring a brace in their previous league outing against Bolton.
What won’t happen: Sheffield United won’t leapfrog their opponents on the Championship table. Unless Billy Sharp is firing for the Blades, Derby will be expected to secure all three points from this encounter. Gary Rowett’s men will most likely widen the gap between themselves and United after Saturday’s tie.
FFT predicts: 0-2
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS LEEDS UNITED (SUNDAY, 2:30AM AEST)
The big talking point: Chris Wood’s departure. The towering New Zealand striker was absent from Leeds’ previous fixture with Sunderland as he finalised his £15 million transfer to Premier League outfit, Burnley. Leeds manager, Thomas Christiansen will be eager to prove that his side can survive without the influential striker. Last week’s performance won’t do his case much harm.
What will happen: Forest will continue where they left off last week. The Reds were convincing 2-1 winners in their previous league fixture with Middlesbrough and will look to make it three wins from three as they overcame Newcastle in their midweek EFL Cup tie. Forest boss, Mark Warburton will be encouraged by the emergence of Daryl Murphy as he anticipates the potential lethal partnership of Murphy and McKay.
What won’t happen: A game of clear cut chances. Both sides will need to be at their best if they plan to take the three points from this encounter. A lack of firepower up front for Leeds may prove decisive, while defensively they’ll most likely struggle to keep a clean sheet if Daryl Murphy or Barrie McKay have their say.
FFT predicts: 2-1
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