A look ahead to this weekend’s Championship fixtures….

By Hugo Varley 

Another fascinating weekend of Championship football awaits us this weekend and we have previewed every single game!

Nottingham Forest (19th) vs Derby (5th) 

Nottingham Forest and Derby face off in tonight's eagerly anticipated East Midlands derby. Dougie Freedman's side have had a testing start to the season and are currently sitting in 19th place having failed to win in their last seven league games.

Derby on the other hand will come into tonight's game full of confidence as they look to extend their unbeaten run, which stretches all the way back to the end of August.

Forest will welcome back Henri Lansbury and David Vaughan from suspensions but Michael Mancienne and Robert Tesche are still out with injuries.

As for the visitors, midfielder is expected to come back into the fold after recovering from an injury.

Huddersfield (18th) vs (17th) 

The second local derby of the weekend sees Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield and Leeds face each other at the John Smith's Stadium.

New boss David Wagner is expected to watch the game from the stands with Mark Lills taking charge of the side. Huddersfield will want to build on an impressive 2-2 draw at high flying Reading in mid-week.

Although Leeds' off-field troubles are becoming more and more chaotic by the day, on the field Steve Evans appears to have done a good job at steadying the ship.

His side will come into tomorrow's lunchtime game in good spirits having recorded their first win at Elland Road since March on Tuesday.

Huddersfield are expected to be without Sean Scannell, whilst Ishmael Miller may return from injury in time for the derby.

Evans is able to welcome back from suspension, who could come in to replace Giuseppe Bellusci

(15th) vs Brentford (12th) 

Gary Bowyer will be increasingly worried at his side's inability to convert chances. Blackburn have only scored two goals in their last six games and have failed to score in their previous two games at Ewood Park.

Rovers continue to be overly reliant on striker Jordan Rhodes who has scored over half of the side's goals this season.

On the other hand, Brentford are the league's form side and will come into Saturday's game full of confidence having won four of their last five games.

The Bees' recent form was rewarded today when Lee Carsley won Championship Manager of the Month and midfielder Alan Judge was named the league's Player of the Month.

Blackburn can welcome back Corey Evans from suspension but are still without Danny Guthrie and Chris Brown.

As for the visitors, Andreas Bjelland, Josh McEachran and Jota are all expected to miss out due to injury.

Bolton (22nd) vs (21st) 

Although it may be a little early in the season to call this one a “relegation six pointer”, this match is certainly a crucial game for the two sides struggling at the bottom of the table.

Neil Lennon's Bolton have been disappointing so far this season and have not won a league match since 12th September.

The Trotter's are currently the Championship's lowest scorers having scored just ten league goals this season.

After storming to the League One title last year, Bristol City have also found the going tough in the Championship this season.

However, Steve Cotterill's side will want to kick on from Tuesday's impressive victory over Wolves at Ashton Gate.

Bolton are likely to still be without Dean Moxey and midfielder Tom Walker but Shola Ameobi and Mark Davies should return.

Apart from Scott Wagstaff being out due to a lack of match fitness, Cotterill has no new injury concerns.

Brighton (3rd) vs MK Dons (20th) 

Brighton kept their unbeaten record in tact when they battled to a hard fought draw at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Chris Hughton's side have had a wonderful start to the season and are sitting proudly just outside of the automatic promotion places.

One slight concern for Hughton however could be the fact that his side have only scored one goal in their last three games.

MK Dons have had a difficult start to life in the Championship but Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic hinted that the Dons may have started to become more accustomed to life in the second tier.

However, the fact that MK Dons have failed to win away from home since the first game of the season will continue to be of concern for manager Karl Robinson.

The home side hope to welcome back Bobby Zamora and Gorden Greer from injuries. While MK Dons are still without Ben Reeves and Matthew Upson but are able to call upon the services of Kyle McFadzean again after the defender served his one-match suspension.

Cardiff (9th) vs Reading (7th) 

Rusell Slade's Cardiff City had a storming start to the season, going unbeaten in the first seven games. However, the Welsh club seem to have lost a bit of momentum in recent weeks and have only won once in the last six games.

The Bluebirds have also failed to find the net in their last three games.

Steve Clarke's Reading are sitting just outside of the play off places and will fancy their chances at The Cardiff City Stadium having only lost two of their last ten league games.

Cardiff are without the suspended Peter Wittingham but should be able to welcome back striker Kenwyne Jones who has recovered from a shin injury.

Clarke revealed yesterday that four first team players were likely to miss out for his side but refused to reveal their identities to the press, so we can only speculate!

Charlton (23rd) vs Sheffield Wednesday (8th) 

Whilst chaos ensues at The Valley with fans venting their frustration at owner Roland Duchatelet, things are going from bad to worse on the pitch for The Addicks.

Karel Fraeye's side have not won since mid August and have lost seven of their last eight league games.

In complete contrast, Sheffield Wednesday have not lost since early September and seem to be picking up the momentum needed for a challenge at the summit of the table.

Charlton's depleted side took another hit on Tuesday night when midfielders Jordan Cousins and Johann Gudmundsson picked up injures and both look set to miss out tomorrow.

Alex Lopez could return for the visitors but defender Micheal Turner and winger Modou Sougou are both out with injuries.

Fulham (11th) vs Birmingham (6th) 

Kit Symons' Fulham will want to return to winning ways having fallen to two heavy defeats in recent weeks.

The West London club will be confident that the goals will return as they are currently the highest scoring side in the league, having scored 27 goals in just 15 league games.

Birmingham City look strong this season and are sitting comfortably just inside the play off places.

However, their fans will be disappointed at last weekend's defeat at home to local rivals Wolves

Fulham are without Andy Lonergan, Ryan Fredericks and Jazz Richards but veteran midfielder Scott Parker could return.

As for the visitors, is sweating on the fitness of Paul Robinson and David Cotterill.

Hull (1st) vs Middlesbrough (4th)

There is a mouthwatering top of the table clash at The KC Stadium tomorrow!

Steve Bruce's Hull have won their last four league games and moved to the top of the Championship after a hugely impressive victory at Griffin Park on Tuesday.

The Yorkshire side have the best defense in the league and have only conceded eight goals all season.

Middlesbrough have also played well this season and come into tomorrow's game in good form having won their last three games.

Hull are set to be without Harry Maguire, Sone Aluko and Adama Diomande.

As for the visitors, Aitor Karanka is unable to call on the services of strikers Cristhian Stuani and David Nugent.

(13th) vs Preston (16th) 

QPR sacked manager Chris Ramsey on Wednesday and appointed former boss as caretaker.

Warnock will have a tough job on his hands to reverse QPR's poor run of form, which has seen the West London club only win one out of their last five games.

After gaining promotion through the play-offs last season Preston are currently the highest placed promoted team in the Championship.

Simon Grayson's side are unbeaten in their last five league games and have not conceded during this time.

Warnock will be without defenders James Perch and Clint Hill for his return to the Loftus Road dugout.

Preston on the other hand will be without the suspended John Welsh, whilst Tom Clarke, Jermaine Beckford and Chris Humphrey are long term absentees.

Rotherham (24th) vs Ipswich (10th) 

Bottom of the table Rotherham must be low on confidence having lost four of their last six league games.

The South Yorkshire club have also conceded the most goals in the Championship this season having shipped in 28 goals in 15 games.

As for the visitors, Mick McCarthy's Ipswich have struggled after a very impressive start to the season and have only won two of their last ten league games.

Rotherham boss Neil Redfearn could welcome back striker Matt Derbyshire and midfielder Lee Frecklington.

Ipswich hope to welcome back Ainsley Maitland-Niles and forward David McGoldrick from injury.

Wolves (14th) vs Burnley (2nd) 

After just missing out on the play-offs last season, 's Wolves will be slightly disappointed at how this season has panned out so far.

Jackett's side are currently sitting in 14th place in the table and are on worrying form having lost three of their last four league matches.

Burnley have adapted very well to life back in the Championship and are sitting proudly in the automatic promotion places.

Sean Dyche's side have been greatly helped  by the goalscorering exploits of record breaking summer signing signing Andre Gray. The 24-year old striker is the Championship's top scorer on ten goals.

Wolves will be without Kortney Hause and Ethan Ebanks-Landell but could welcome back Rajiv van La Parra.

The visitors are sweating on the fitness of Dean Marney but will definitely be without defender Kevin Long and strikers Ashley Barnes and Lukas Jutkiewicz.

 

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