CHAMPIONSHIP: MID-WEEK PREVIEW

With the international break done and dusted, the usual hectic and congested Championship schedule returned on Saturday. Cardiff City Stadium went three weeks without a Bluebirds game but now our home is ready to host its second Cardiff City FC fixture in four days. 

This Tuesday evening it’s Ipswich Town who travel to the Welsh Capital. After Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten start was ended by Russell Slade’s men on Saturday, the task this time will be ending the Tractor Boys’ seven game unbeaten streak, as City look to continue moving up the table. Under the guidance of Mick McCarthy, the Suffolk side find themselves just four points off the summit and currently occupy sixth position. With a home win, Cardiff can move to within a single point of the visitors. It would be the first time City would have recorded back-to-back league wins since August, when Huddersfield and Wigan were beaten in quick succession. 

Nottingham Forest will have their work cut out for them with a tricky trip to table toppers Watford. The Hornets have the best home record in the division with 14 points from a possible 18 at Vicarage Road. They come into the game in good form after picking up all three points with an impressive 3-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Charlton Athletic’s blemish free start came to an end away at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. It was only the second time this season Bob Peeters’ men had failed to score as they went down 1-0 at the Goldsands Stadium. Like Forest, the Addicks face a team with a manager about to take charge of his second game, Neil Lennon’s Bolton Wanderers. After picking up their first away points of the season with a 1-0 win at Birmingham, could it be two away wins in four days at the Valley on Tuesday evening?

Bolton moved off the foot of the table with that 1-0 at St Andrews and also moved to within three points of Wigan Athletic in 19th place. The Latics will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and the other relegation threatened teams when Millwall visit the DW Stadium. The Lions sit one place and two points above their opponents, thanks to a late comeback to draw 3-3 with Wolves at the New Den.

As well as Wigan, both Birmingham and Brighton sit just three points away from the relegation zone. The Blues face a trip north to play Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. The Midlands-based side have one win in their last ten fixtures and lie in 21st spot. On a positive note for Birminghams fans, they occupy 13th position in the away form tables, after gaining over half of their total points away from England’s second city. Rovers on the other hand have lost just once in six outings at home and will no doubt make it tough for Lee Clark’s men to leave with anything.

Fulham have looked a revitalised team under the management of caretaker boss Kit Symons and could move out of the bottom three with a win this Tuesday night. It is three wins from four for the Cottagers and they face a 165-mile trip to Rotherham United, who are looking for their fourth win from five. The Cottagers could overtake Brighton if they drop points in their away tie at Huddersfield Town. 

Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City

Blackpool v Derby County

Bournemouth v Reading

Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday

Cardiff City v Ipswich Town

Charlton Athletic v Bolton Wanderers

Huddersfield Town v Brighton and Hove Albion

Norwich City v Leeds United

Rotherham United v Fulham

Watford v Nottingham Forest

Wigan Athletic v Millwall

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Middlesbrough