FourFourTwo’s preview of the Championship this weekend, as Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Cardiff City in the top of the table clash, while two Australians go head to head at Ashton Gate.
BURTON ALBION VS BIRMINGHAM CITY (SATURDAY, 4:45AM AEST)
The big talking point: Usain Bolt to Burton Albion? It’s possible. Chairman of Albion, Ben Robinson has suggested that he’d be interested in giving a trial to the 100m world record holder.
The Brewers sit bottom of the Championship table having lost all three of their fixtures to date, so they need all the help they can get.
What will happen: Albion will concede. After yet another sending off in their midweek fixture against Middlesbrough, The Brewers have been forced to play a man down for their last two matches. Their free-flowing attacking football may help them in the attacking third but defensive errors have been a feature for Burton Albion early in the season and any mistakes will be pounced on by a lethal Birmingham side.
What won’t happen: Burton won’t lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder. Early signs suggest Burton are in for a tough season ahead as they look to consolidate their place in the Championship.
FFT predicts: 1-3
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS BARNSLEY (SATURDAY, 9:15PM AEST)
The big talking point: The Tykes midweek performance. Barnsley ended Nottingham Forest’s 100% start to the season as they notched their first win of the season. They’ll look to regroup and match that performance come this weekend against Sheffield United.
What will happen: A nail biting encounter. The Blades will see this match as an opportunity to kick start their campaign so expect them to come out firing early in this encounter. On the other hand, The Tykes will be confident of securing another win as they look to surge up the ladder.
What won’t happen: A high scoring encounter. The Blades only have the one goal to their name this season while Barnsley’s lack of depth in attack means that they don’t have a prolific goalscorer in their ranks.
FFT predicts: 1-1
ASTON VILLA VS NORWICH CITY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Is Steve Bruce the right man for the job? The Villa boss is struggling, the Midlands outfit have only registered a point from their first four fixtures. Low on confidence, they’ll face a Norwich side who got their first win of the campaign last time out against QPR at Carrow Road.
What will happen: Villa will struggle. Steve Bruce’s men will find it difficult to deal with The Canaries attacking talent. If they don’t get a result this week, expect a response from the Villa faithful, a group who aren’t shy to voice their opinion.
What won’t happen: A Villa cleansheet. Despite the signing of renowned defender, John Terry, they’re sitting second last on the table and have been leaking goals left, right and centre.
FFT predicts: 2-3
BOLTON WANDERERS VS DERBY COUNTY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Derby County’s latest signing, Tom Lawrence. The 23-year-old English striker joins The Rams from Leicester City. The young striker arrives with a great reputation and he’ll look to endear himself to the fans in their upcoming match against Bolton.
What will happen: Derby will dominate. Fresh after securing their first victory of the campaign, The Rams will arrive at Macron Stadium with their tails up. Bolton have struggled so far, this campaign and the visit of Derby will come at the wrong time for the side predicted to face the drop.
What won’t happen: Bolton won’t roll over. The Lancashire outfit have performed admirably in their opening fixtures but luck hasn’t been on their side. Gary Rowett’s men will be tested to the limits if they want to come away with all three points from this encounter.
FFT predicts: 0-2
BRISTOL CITY VS MILLWALL (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Mr Consistency – Robins striker, Bobby Reid. Leading goal scorer, Bobby Reid increased his goal tally to 4 goals in 3 games after scoring a 98th minute equaliser for his side against Brentford. The 24-year-old striker has started the season with a bang and will surely look to add to his tally against Milllwall.
At this rate, the Bristol striker may eclipse the efforts of last year’s leading marksman, Tammy Abraham who netted an impressive 23 goals for the West Country outfit.
What will happen: Goals at either end. Both sides don’t boast the best defensive records so expect plenty of goals in this encounter. Keep an eye out for the battle between Socceroos teammates Bailey Wright and James Meredith as they go toe to toe against one another in this fixture.
What won’t happen: A strong defensive display from The Lions. James Meredith and his Millwall defence will struggle to cope with the inform, Bobby Reid.
FFT predicts: 3-1
FULHAM VS SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: The lacklustre starts from both teams. With both sides expecting to be mounting a promotion push, early signs have indicated otherwise. This weekend’s match at Craven Cottage will be a mid-table affair as one team looks to get a leg up on their opponents.
Fulham fans will be delighted by their latest arrival, Sheyi Ojo who joins The Cottagers on a season long loan from Liverpool. The 20-year-old will most likely feature in the upcoming affair against The Owls.
What will happen: A classic game of Championship football. Fulham were the league’s highest goalscorers last campaign while Sheffield Wednesday boast one of the best attacking lineups in the division. Neither side have the best defensive record so expect a thrilling encounter this weekend in West London.
What won’t happen: Lucas Piazon won’t play. The Chelsea loanee broke his leg in his side’s midweek encounter with Leeds at Elland Road.
FFT predicts: 3-2
IPSWICH TOWN VS BRENTFORD (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: The Tractor Boys’ unbeaten record. No one would have expected Mick McCarthy’s men to have won their first three opening fixtures. After a thrilling 4-3 win in their midweek fixture against Milllwall, Ipswich sit in a very healthy third place on the Championship ladder.
What will happen: Martyn Waghorn will score. The shrewd acquisition from Rangers has proved to be a relevation as he’s scored in his last two previous outings for the East Anglia side.
What won’t happen: A dull affair. With both outfits playing high octane football in their midweek fixtures, expect this match to be a fiery encounter. Brentford are looking to bounce back while Ipswich will look to continue their fairy tale run.
FFT predicts: 3-2
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS MIDDLESBROUGH (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Britt Assombalonga returns to his old stomping ground. Fresh from scoring a brace for his new club in their previous outing against Burton, Assombolanga will be hungry for more as he faces his former club.
What will happen: What Assambalonga wants, he gets. The Boro striker has a taste for goals and he’ll capitalise on any opportunity which comes his way at The City Ground this weekend. Fresh after losing their 100% record, Middlesbrough is surely one of the last teams that Forest would hope to be playing in their next match.
What won’t happen: A goal fest. If previous encounters are anything to go by, this match will be a close affair which will most likely be won by the odd goal.
FFT predicts: 1-2
PRESTON NORTH END VS READING (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Can Reading register back to back wins? After beating Aston Villa 2-1 at home in their midweek fixture, The Royals will look to grab maximum points against Alex Neil’s Preston side.
What will happen: Reading will triumph. Jaap Staam’s side will be buoyed by their victory over Villa and will travel to Deepdale in good spirits as they look to overcome an out of form Preston outfit.
What won’t happen: A shock result. This should be a comfortable match for favourites, Reading as they look to propel themselves into the top half of the Championship ladder.
FFT predicts: 0-3
QUEENS PARK RANGERS VS HULL CITY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: Will Hull bounce back after their midweek defeat to highflying Wolves? Tigers boss, Leonid Slutsky praised the West Midlands side for their performance as he labelled them the best team in the Championship.
What will happen: A response from Hull. Their midweek defeat was merely a blip in their campaign and Slutsky’s men will put things right against Ian Holloway’s, QPR. The Hoops will also be looking for a result as they look to bounce back after their loss to Norwich.
What won’t happen: Holloway naming an unchanged team. Going into their midweek encounter at Carrow Road, the QPR boss had named an unchanged line up for the third game running for the first time since 2011. Their poor display will most likely mean that changes are needed going into this match at Loftus Road.
FFT predicts: 1-3
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS CARDIFF CITY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)
The big talking point: The top of the table clash. All eyes will be on these two sides as they go head to head at Molineux. With both sides impressing so far, this match has all the signs of a blockbuster. Will Wolves attacking flair overcome Neil Warnock’s pragmatic approach?
What will happen: A tight affair. If Neil Warnock’s 50 years in football have taught him anything, it’s that you’ll take what you can get. The Welsh outfit will be conservative in their approach and will be happy with a point on their travels against a resurgent Wolves side.
What won’t happen: A dominant Cardiff performance. The Bluebirds will most likely sacrifice possession and will instead look to punish Wolves on the counter attack. With plenty of pace up front including Junior Hoilett on the wing, Cardiff know that they can inflict some serious damage their opponents.
FFT predicts: 2-2
SUNDERLAND VS LEEDS UNITED (SUNDAY, 2:30AM AEST)
The big talking point: Sunderland, yet to taste defeat. The Black Cats have shown signs of improvement under their new boss, Simon Grayson. After an impressive away performance at Norwich, the Tyneside outfit held on for a draw at Hillsborough.
A side on the up, Sunderland look revitalised under new management as they return to Stadium of Light for their encounter with Leeds.
What will happen: Pretty football from Sunderland. Under Grayson, the side have become easier to watch on the eye. The Black Cats fans will be in for a treat as they get to watch their side compete and have a real go this campaign.
What won’t happen: A Chris Wood hat trick. With plenty of transfer speculation surrounding him, the New Zealand international has been heavily linked with a move to Burnley in the Premier League. The Leeds target man will most likely be distracted by the speculation and his performance will show.
FFT predicts: 2-1
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