Welcome to the eighth edition of our Championship preview series for the 2019/20 season. We will analyse the weekend’s key fixtures as well as having a crack at predicting the results.
Championship Preview: Matchday Eight
This Week’s Biggest Clashes
Leeds United v Derby County
It’s the first time these two sides have locked horns since their end-to-end Play-Off semi-final meeting last term. Since those games in May, there have been a number of changes for Saturday’s visitors. The Rams, now guided by Phillip Cocu after Frank Lampard’s departure to Chelsea, have failed to set the Championship alight and sit two points above the relegation places with just one win – an opening day victory at Huddersfield Town.
Leeds United, meanwhile, are the early pace setters at the top of England’s second-tier. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have lost only once so far this season, against Swansea City, but enjoyed a five-game unbeaten run in the League prior to doing so. Summer signing Eddie Nketiah has shone since moving to Elland Road, his goalscoring form could prove elusive in defeating the Rams.
Bristol City v Swansea City
There’s also a meeting of two promotion hopefuls at Ashton Gate as Swansea City travel to the South-West. Just two points separate the sides ahead of Saturday’s meeting and it’s difficult to call which way this will go.
Swansea will be desperate to bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in their most recent outing; however, Lee Johnson’s side will be no walkover having been unbeaten since an opening day 3-1 defeat to League leaders Leeds United.
Championship Preview: Predictions
Leeds United v Derby County
These are two teams who should be fighting for promotion: Leeds United sit atop the standings so far but Derby County are in lowly 19th. The Rams haven’t won in their previous five outings. We believe Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be too difficult a test for Phillip Cocu’s side and will win comfortably.
Leeds United 3-0 Derby County
Birmingham City v Preston North End
This should be a fairly entertaining and closely fought fixture at St Andrews. The two sides have an identical record and are separated by just goal difference. Preston are unbeaten in their last five outings and for that reason we expect them to leave the Midlands with all three points.
Birmingham City 1-2 Preston North End
Brentford v Stoke City
These two sides are unlikely to play out a draw. Brentford have drawn none of their previous four matches, while Stoke City haven’t draw in their last five outings. The Bees are precariously found two points above the relegation spots while Stoke City are rock bottom with just one point from seven matches. Brentford have picked up four points from their previous five matches and will inflict more misery on the Potters this weekend.
Score 2-0 Score
Bristol City v Swansea City
Even the bookmakers don’t know quite which way to call this fixture. Bristol City are unbeaten in five matches and have scored in each of their previous three league fixtures; however, the Swans will take confidence after taking points against promotion rivals Leeds United before the international break. The Swans have not drawn in seven matches but this game is too tight to call.
Bristol City 2-2 Swansea City
Cardiff City v Middlesbrough
Cardiff City have barely hit the heights expected of them since their relegation from the top flight. The Bluebirds sit 14th, with a virtually identical record to Middlesbrough, but are winless from their last four. Middlesbrough have won two of their last four and will narrowly edge this encounter in Wales.
Cardiff City 0-1 Middlesbrough
Luton Town v Hull City
The Hatters began life in the Championship with an entertaining 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough; however, the Graeme Jones’ side have fallen back to earth with four defeats from their six previous fixtures. Hull City have endured an indifferent start to the season, drawing and losing three games each, but three consecutive draws more recently have been a step in the right direction for Grant McCann’s men.
Luton Town 0-1 Hull City
Millwall v QPR
It’s a London derby at The Den between sides 15th and 7th respectively. Millwall are winless in five attempts whereas QPR are on a surge up the table with three victories from their last five outings. Mark Warburton’s will take the bragging rights from this hotly-anticipated meeting.
Millwall 1-3 QPR
Nottingham Forest v Barnsley
Nottingham Forest are a team slowly on the rise up the table after three wins and two draws from their last five matches. They host an inconsistent Barnsley side on Saturday who have drawn two and lost three in the same timeframe. The Yorkshire side played well despite losing 2-0 to Leeds United last weekend so we can see Daniel Stendel’s side sneaking another point here.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Barnsley
Reading v Blackburn Rovers
Reading have been a bogey side for Blackburn Rovers in recent years, the Lancashire side have failed to beat the Royals in their last four meetings (W3, D1). Two consecutive wins for Reading have been followed up with two back-to-back defeats while Blackburn won last time out against Millwall. Rovers could be travelling back to Ewood Park with a point on Saturday evening.
Reading 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham
Another two teams with aspirations of making a promotion challenge meet at Hillsborough. The Owls take on Fulham without the suspended Fernando Forestieri and with Fulham winless in four matches, this tie is likely to finish a draw.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Fulham
Wigan Athletic v Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic have enjoyed a rollercoaster return to the Championship and are currently two points adrift of the automatic spots. They travel to a Wigan side winless in seven attempts and have conceded the joint second-most-amount this term. It should be a comfortable victory for Lee Bowyer’s side.
Wigan Athletic 0-2 Charlton Athletic
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