CHAMPIONSHIP: THE WEEKEND AHEAD

Both Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to put cup defeats behind them when the two sides meet this Saturday at the Cardiff City Stadium. The Bluebirds were consigned to a 3-0 home defeat by AFC Bournemouth while The Owls were crushed by a clinical Manchester City 7-0 at the Etihad on Wednesday evening. Under the leadership of Stuart Gray, Wednesday have surprised many by only being three points off the top of the table and currently lying in sixth position. City will have their work cut out, as they are 10 places below them in 16th.

Table toppers Nottingham Forest are still unbeaten in their league campaign and will be looking to extend that run when Brighton and Hove Albion visit the City Ground. The Seagulls will be looking to turn their form around, as they are winless in their last four league outings. In hot pursuit of Forest are Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, both just a single point behind the early leaders. The two will have a tricky time trying to catch Stuart Pearce’s men as both have away ties. Norwich will fancy their chances at lowly Blackpool but Wolves may find it more difficult at Reading on Sunday’s Televised game. The Canaries have not lost since their season opener against Wolves.

There are some intriguing ties involving the teams in and around the play-off places. Watford will be making the three and half hour journey up north to Blackburn Rovers. A win for the Hornets at Ewood Park could see them at the summit of the table. They lie two points behind Forest on 16 points. Fifth also meet eighth when Middlesbrough play Charlton Athletic. Three places may separate them but just a single point keeps The Addicks behind Boro. 

Birmingham City will be looking to put some space between themselves and the bottom three when Fulham visit St Andrews. Fulham are firmly rooted at the foot of the table with just one point. The Blues are two places and two points from the relegation zone and will be favourites for the three points come Saturday. One team who will be trying to keep within reach of Birmingham are Huddersfield Town. They sit two points from safety at this early stage of the season. Three points are far from guaranteed, as they will have to overcome 13th placed Millwall at the Galpharm Stadium.   

Birmingham City v Fulham

Blackburn Rovers v Watford

Blackpool v Norwich City

Bolton Wanderers v Derby County

AFC Bournemouth v Wigan Athletic

Brentford v Leeds United

Cardiff City v Sheffield Wednesday

Charlton Athletic v Middlesbrough

Huddersfield Town v Millwall

Ipswich Town v Rotherham United

Nottingham Forest v Brighton & Hove Albion

Reading v Wolverhampton Wanderers