BARNSLEY VS IPSWICH TOWN (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Ipswich’s new signing, Martyn Waghorn from Scottish side, Rangers. The English striker will look to make an impact as he makes his Championship debut for the Tractor Boys.

What will happen: A hard fought draw. With both teams expected to be fighting for Championship survival, these matches, although early in the season should be treated as a relegation six pointer. If either side is able to gain the upper hand in this affair it will put them in good stead come the end of the season.

What won’t happen: Andre Dozzell won’t play. The 18-year-old Ipswich midfielder tore his cruciate ligament in Ipswich’s first round clash with Birmingham. The young midfielder is set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines and is expected to miss the rest of the 2017/18 season.

Injured Andre Dozzell set for a long layoff

 

BIRMINGHAM CITY VS BRISTOL CITY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: The two managers in the dugout. There will most likely be some friction between Birmingham manager, Harry Redknapp and his counterpart, Bristol City’s Lee Johnson. Birmingham’s public approach for Bristol’s Aden Flint and Joe Bryan has reportedly angered the Robins boss. Expect tempers to reach boiling point at St Andrews with Johnson’s men eager to prove their worth against Birmingham.

What will happen: Birmingham will show up to play. After a poor performance, last week, Redknapp will ensure that he’s team’s ready to showcase their talent in front of the home crowd.

What won’t happen: Bristol City won’t get the three points. History dictates that the home side will dominate this affair, The Blues have won their last three encounters with The Robins at St Andrews.

Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp

 

BRENTFORD VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Forest boss, Mark Warburton returns to Griffin Park. This will be Warburton’s first visit to his former club since his departure in 2015. But, it may not be a happy return as Brentford have won each of their last four games against Nottingham Forest, their longest ever winning streak against Forest.

What will happen: Barrie Mckay will find the back of the net for Forest. The 22-year-old striker has been in impressive form in front of goal and he’ll look to add to his goal count against The Bees at Griffin Park.

What won’t happen: A clean sheet for Forest. While they may have Mckay scoring the goals, Forest have been known to concede. Having had 72 goals scored against them in the previous campaign, Warburton will be wary if his side go behind early in this match.

Will Barrie McKay score?

 

CARDIFF CITY VS ASTON VILLA (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Kenneth Zohore, a man in demand. The Cardiff striker delivered a late winner against Burton Albion in the first round of Championship fixtures. Despite initial interest from top flight outfits, Bluebirds boss, Neil Warnock has urged the striker to stay at the Welsh club for now and reassess his future in 12 months’ time.

What will happen: Steve Bruce will maintain his impressive record against Neil Warnock. The Villa boss has won 9 out of his 11 previous meetings with Warnock. With Villa being placed as one of the early favourites to achieve promotion, they’ll need to kick-start their season in the Welsh capital.

What won’t happen: A repeat of last week at Villa Park. Steve Bruce’s decision to introduce defender, Chris Samba in the dying minutes of the match was met with scepticism by the Villa faithful. Brought on in a last-ditch attempt to score the winner against Hull City, Bruce as well as the Aston Villa supporters will hope that such drastic measures won’t be necessary this time around.

Chris Samba

 

 

DERBY COUNTY VS WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Tom Huddlestone to make his second debut for The Rams at The iPro. Having made a name for himself as a teenager at Derby, Huddlestone earned a big money move to Tottenham Hotspur. After spending a lengthy spell with Spurs and more recently Hull City, the midfielder will look to return to the form that previously won him so many admirers.

What will happen: The Rams will silence a resurgent Wolves. With an abundance of attacking talent including Chris Martin and Darren Bent. If past meetings between the sides have any indication, Derby’s attackers will end up on the scoresheet.

What won’t happen: A clean game of football. The two teams will be at each other’s throats as they look to claim a foothold over their rival. The last time these two met at The iPro, Wolves winger, Ivan Cavaleiro was given his marching orders for an off the ball incident.

Darren Bent

 

HULL CITY VS BURTON ALBION (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: The first competitive meeting between the two sides. Having never played in the same division before, the two sides will meet for the first time at the KCOM Stadium.

What will happen: Hull’s, Kamil Grosicki will get an assist or two. The Polish winger showcased his talent in their first match away at Villa Park. He’ll terrorise the Albion defence with his electrifying pace and dynamic movement across Hull’s attacking third.

What won’t happen: A clean sheet for either side. Both teams have an abundance of attacking talent which means that a clean sheet should be out of the question.

Burton Albion's Aussie star Jackson Irvine

 

LEEDS UNITED VS PRESTON NORTH END (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Leeds latest addition. Earlier this week, Leeds confirmed the signing of Manchester United defender, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson. The 20-year-old left back has joined The Lilywhites on loan for the 2017/18 campaign. Having already had a taste of Championship football last season with Wolves, Borthwick-Jackson comes to Elland Road with experience and valuable understanding of how to navigate the Championship on a week to week basis. 

What will happen: Elland Road will be rocking. After last season’s impressive showing, Leeds fans have a renewed sense of hope. Despite the unexpected departure of previous manager, Garry Monk to Middlesbrough, their fans have remained unwavering in their support. With a spike in season memberships, expect plenty of fans to be in the stands come Saturday as they roar on the infamous Yorkshire club.

What won’t happen: Back to back wins for Preston North End. The Lancashire club will look to build upon their first outing, however they will find it difficult to penetrate an experienced Leeds defence.

Leeds new signing, ex-Manchester United defender, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson

 

MILLWALL VS BOLTON WANDERERS (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Two promoted sides square off against one another. With both sides impressing last season in League 1, they’ll look to build on their respective seasons as they consolidate their place in the Championship. Saturday’s visitors, Bolton Wanderers, recently rewarded manager, Phil Parkinson with a contract extension as his side strap in for a tough season ahead.

What will happen: The Lions will roar. With Championship football returning to The Den, Milllwall supporters will be eager to see their side overcome Bolton Wanderers. All eyes will be on Millwall’s new Australian left back, James Meredith as he makes his competitive home debut for the south-east London club.

What won’t happen: A one sided game. Both sides will go into this tie desperate for the three points. With both teams not having the strongest of squads compared to other Championship outfits, this game will be marked down as a must win as it could make the difference when it comes to the battle for survival during the business end of the season.

Aussie James Meredith to make his competitive home debut for Millwall

 

 

READING VS FULHAM (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Reading unable to deliver Premier League football to The Madejski Stadium. This will be Reading’s first competitive match at home since their play-off defeat to Huddersfield Town. After a disappointing loss to QPR in the first round, Reading players will be hoping to grab the three points against Fulham.

What will happen: Reading will be reduced to 10 men. Following Tiago Illori’s red card last week, The Royals have received a total of six red cards in the Championship since August 2016. If Fulham can keep the ball and frustrate Jaap Stam’s side, then expect tempers to escalate and get the worse of his players.

What won’t happen: Yann Kermorgant’s name on the Reading team sheet. The 35-year-old French striker played an influential role in the last meeting between the two sides in the play-off semi-finals. After undergoing hip and groin surgery, the experienced striker is set to be out of action for the first month of 2017/18 campaign.

Yann Kermorgant to miss the clash

 

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY VS QUEENS PARK RANGERS (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Conor Washington, equal top scorer in the Championship. After netting twice against Reading last week at Loftus Road, the Northern Irishman will hope to build upon his goal tally at Hillsborough. After a lacklustre 2016/17 campaign, Washington will be hoping to find some consistency as he aims to lock down a place in QPR’s starting line-up.

What will happen: The Owls will open their goal scoring account. After a disappointing loss to Preston, Carlos Carvalhal’s men responded well with a 4-1 win earlier this week against Chesterfield in the EFL Cup. The midweek tie would have come as a blessing in disguise for Wednesday, as it gave them the opportunity to redeem themselves after their relatively poor performance at Preston.

What won’t happen: Undivided support from Sheffield Wednesday’s fans. Continually lifting the expectations of their fans, The Owls need a strong display at Hillsborough if they want to keep their fans happy. If they don’t deliver on Saturday it could cause further unrest within their loyal fan base.

Conor Washington will be keen to add to his tally

 

MIDDLESBROUGH VS SHEFFIELD UNITED (SUNDAY, 2:30AM AEST)

The big talking point: Middlesbrough, a team in freefall. After an opening day defeat to Wolves, Boro fans have every right to be concerned by their team’s current form. Having lost their last four league games, the north-east club are in desperate need of a lift as they face a promoted Sheffield United at The Riverside.

What will happen: A free flowing game of attacking football. While Middlesbrough promote attacking talent in their own right, they’ll have to contend with Sheffield United’s, Billy Sharp. The Blades front man has been in stellar form and was on the scoresheet in their win over Brentford at Bramall Lane.

What won’t happen: A draw. Middlesbrough will be desperate to win and will do whatever it takes to overcome The Blades.

Sheffield's frontman is in Sharp form

 

NORWICH CITY VS SUNDERLAND (SUNDAY, 10:30PM AEST)

The big talking point: Will Nelson Oliveira start up front for Norwich? After last week’s emphatic display at Craven Cottage, Oliveira was a startling omission from the Canaries squad which faced Swindon in the midweek EFL tie. Punished for his actions against Fulham, it appears that manager, Daniel Farke has taken a hard-line approach to dealing with the Portuguese striker. This approach has left Norwich fans fearing the worst as they’re all too aware that their striker could be forced out the door before the end of the current transfer window.

What will happen: Sunderland will impress at Carrow Road. Following a strong performance against Derby in the opening round, The Black Cats will look to continue where they left off against Norwich. Sunderland fans will have reason to believe as their side was able to claim all three points last time the two teams met at Carrow Road in The Premier League back in April 2016.

What won’t happen: A Sunderland away performance. During their stay in the Premier League, the north-east club didn’t have the best of away records. With the introduction of new manager, Simon Grayson, supporters should expect a stronger defensive display and more of a threat up front as new signing, Lewis Grabban looks to add to his goal tally.

Is Oliveira on the way out?