Weekend 3 Championship Preview

Third weekend of the season and a second home game for those sides who kicked-off at home on the opening day of the season. The table will still look skewed as a result, so important that we get something from Reading as we try to consolidate our start. I think we will run them very close, it's just the Live TV Jonah that worries me. Here' how I see the rest of them panning out...

Birmingham City v Barnsley

A poor start for Barnsley gets tougher at St. Andrews. Birmingham have had a two-win start with Kevin Phillips making an immediate impact. I can see them collecting another three points to lead the table tomorrow night.
Prediction; 2-0

Blackpool v Sheffield United

The Seasiders were many pundits tip for the drop season (not mine) and they have not started well. They have another tough game on Saturday against Sheffield United who will be buzzing from their 3-0 demolition of QPR last week.
Prediction; 1-1

Cardiff City v Norwich City

Cardiff have had an relatively easy start to the season and have collected four points from two games so far. Norwich have played well in both of their matches but only have a point to show for their efforts. I'll go for the Canaries to get a result here to correct the form guide.
Prediction; 1-2

Charlton Athletic v Reading

I believe we played better at Watford than we were given credit for and that we deserved a point from the game. Left-back could be a problem if Grant Basey does not recover from a hamstring strain. That apart, we should be looking to get at Reading and give them a game for the 90 minutes. If we can do that and restrict Hunt, Doyle and Co, I think we can get a result which would take us to the top of the table, albeit only for a couple of hours. It would be good to see Todorov and/or Ambrose making the bench to increase our attacking options. I'll stick my neck out and go for an unusual Live TV win.
Prediction; 2-1

Coventry City v Bristol City

A decent start for both of these sides who remain unbeaten. Bristol won away at Blackpool on their last travels and Coventry squeaked a win at home to Norwich. If City defend well they should have enough to nick a goal. In the circumstances, I'm going for a draw.
Prediction; 1-1

Crystal Palace v Burnley

Burnley have started with two straight defeats and Owen Coyle is neck-and-neck in the sack race with Iain Dowie and Jan Poortvliet. It's not the time for a trip to Palace and I can't see then getting anything here.
Prediction; 2-0

Derby County v Southampton

No team in the division will be more desperate for a home win than the Rams. Their long-suffering 30,000 faithful were denied a fortnight ago by Doncaster Rovers but they rallied for a point at Ashton Gate last week. Saturday's fixture presents the perfect opportunity as lambs Southampton enter Pride Park. Pressure on Poortvliet to intensify.
Prediction; 3-0

Ipswich Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Ipswich continued their impressive late team rebuilding by bringing in Ivan Campo a couple of weeks ago and were close to signing Shloa Ameobi but have held-off pending a hamstring injury. They have also managed to get Ben Thatcher to join them, so presumably money's not as tight as at the Valley. They were surprisingly beaten by Preston in their opening home game and I would be very surprised if they lost two in-a-row. Wolves, however, have had a very solid start to the season and a draw would do for Mick McCarthy. Big Chris to continue scoring during the honeymoon period, but Town to share the spoils.
Prediction; 1-1

Nottingham Forest v Watford

Aidy Boothroyd will be rubbing his hands here. A fortunate three points against London rivals to maintain an unbeaten start and now promoted Forest who were walloped at Swansea last week. The Hornets are strong at the back and if Priskin, Smith and Rasiak can do any damage, it should be enough to secure the points.
Prediction; 0-1

Plymouth Argyle v Swansea City

A West Country derby of sorts. The Swans will be well supported again as they look for more early season points. Plymouth have only managed a draw from their opening home game against Wolves and I can't see them getting more than a point here and I wouldn't be surprised to see Swansea take all three.
Prediction; 1-1

QPR v Doncaster Rovers

Iain Dowie won't know whether to laugh or cry at his prospects here. Desperate for a win to stave off the sack, he'd want a winnable home game which this should be on paper. However, Rovers won impressively at Derby last time on the road and can play relaxed football at Loftus Road. A defeat at home to promoted Donny to follow last week's drubbing at Bramall Lane might trigger the first managerial sacking of the season.
Prediction; 1-1

Sheffield Wednesday v Preston North End

Both of these sides have had decent starts. Wednesday were well beaten last week but will be confident of getting at Preston quickly on Saturday. Preston meanwhile have two straight wins to defend and will know that their chances of a third will depend on maintaining parity for as long as possible in this one. I tipped PNE for the drop this year, so am still of the opinion that their start is a flash-in-the-pan. Wednesday to score early and go on to wrap things up.
Prediction; 3-1

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