(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
By Alex Beard
Sky Sports have today announced the next set of Championship fixtures to be shown live on Sky Sports, with the battle for promotion clearly the broadcaster's focus.
Seven games have been selected, with some of the second tier's most in-form teams chosen for live coverage, including the likes of Aston Villa, Cardiff and Sheffield United.
Indeed, the Villains are the first team up on Wednesday 1 November when they travel to sixth place Preston North End. As it stands Steve Bruce's side are just one place and one point behind Alex Neil's outfit so that could be a vital clash at Deepdale.
On Wednesday 22 November Ipswich Town will host Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road. The Tractor Boys have enjoyed a strong start to the season and the Owls are just now finding their form.
There are two Championship games being shown on Saturday 25 November, with Barnsley facing Leeds at Oakwell and Sheffield United taking on struggling Birmingham at Bramall Lane in the 5:30pm kick-off.
Monday 27 November sees mid-table QPR taking on a Brentford side who've seen an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks.
The first two December games to be shown on Sky have also been announced, with Norwich City facing Wednesday at Carrow Road and Reading welcoming Cardiff to the Madejski Stadium.
Full list of games being shown on Sky Sports:
November
Preston North End v Aston Villa
Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday
Barnsley v Leeds United
Sheffield United v Birmingham City
Queens Park Rangers v Brentford
December
Norwich City v Sheffield Wednesday
Reading v Cardiff City
