CHAMPIONSHIP: THE WEEKEND AHEAD

Nottingham Forest top the charts after their emphatic 5-3 win against bottom side Fulham on Monday night. They will be looking to maintain their position as leaders with a tricky trip to the New Den to face Millwall. The Lions, under the management of Ian Holloway, find themselves just three points off the play-offs in twelfth position. Forest are unbeaten in the first seven games with five games ending with Stuart Pearce’s men collecting all three points.

Threatening Forest’s position at the summit are Norwich, Watford and Wolves. These three teams, who occupy the rest of the top four, have a great chance to make ground on the leaders. All have home ties against teams in the bottom half. Norwich face Birmingham, Bournemouth make the trip to Vicarage Road while Wolverhampton welcome fellow Wanderers, Bolton. The Canaries are the biggest threat to Nottingham’s top spot as they lie just a single point behind. 

This weekend also sees a Yorkshire derby when Huddersfield Town make the 16-mile trip North-West to Leeds United. Chris Powell will take charge of his first game on the road after picking up just one point from his first two games at the John Smith’s Stadium. Leeds, who are still without a permanent manager, will be looking to continue their improved form, picking up seven points from the past three games. The two fixtures between the Yorkshire giants last season resulted in 11 goals so anything similar this weekend could provide an exciting game at Elland Road.

Other fixtures in the league include the Battle of the Rocks when Brighton meet Blackpool, bottom side Fulham welcome Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough play Brentford and Reading will travel to Hillsborough to play Sheffield Wednesday. Monday night football will see Wigan Athletic take on Ipswich Town at the DW Stadium.

Watford v Bournemouth

Brighton v Blackpool

Derby v Cardiff 

Fulham v Blackburn

Leeds v Huddersfield Town

Middlesbrough v Brentford

Millwall v Nottingham Forest

Norwich City v Birmingham City

Rotherham v Charlton

Sheffield Wednesday v Reading

Wolves v Bolton

 

Wigan v Ipswich