Weekend 4 Championship Preview

The last match before the first international break. Everyone will have played two at home and two away, so we should get the first decent view of the early table. It normally takes about ten games for the table to take on any real end-of-season shape, although it looks to me like it's already settling itself largely along expected lines.

Barnsley v Derby County

Both of these sides will be very disappointed with their starts. Neither have won yet and both had expectations of top 6 placings not relegation scrambles. I believe both will recover but higher finishes for either will look unlikely if they aren't clear of the bottom by game 10. Derby's new side are still finding their feet but confidence will be thin and they face the prospect of a 36th league game without a win. Ouch!
Prediction; 1-0

Bristol City v Queens Park Rangers

A draw would be the right result for Addicks here but I suspect Bristol City will cement their start and could hand Iain Dowie a second heavy defeat on the road.
Prediction; 3-1

Burnley v Plymouth Argyle

The Clarets got a 3-0 morale-boosting League cup win over Oldham last night and will be keen to follow-up with their first league success at Turf Moor on Saturday. Plymouth are looking like early season strugglers and might find this tough going.
Prediction; 2-0

Doncaster Rovers v Coventry City

Who'd have envisaged this fixture a few seasons ago? Cookie Coleman's Sky Blues might be expecting to turn-up and win whilst ex-Fulham clubmate Sean O'Driscoll's side will be itching to record their first home win of the season.
Prediction; 1-1

Norwich City v Birmingham City
After a battling draw at Cardiff last week, Glenn Roeder will be firing his canaries up for their first home win to get their season properly underway. Brum however, is not the game you need at this point, particularly after three straight wins and three Kevin Phillips goals. I don't believe Birmingham are as good as they think they are but they have the squad to do it this year. Their real test will be how they respond to defeat when it comes - they might have to wait a few weeks yet.
Prediction; 1-1

Preston NE v Charlton Athletic
Addicks fans will be tempted to assume another sparkling performance and another three points. Ordinarily I would have stuck my neck out here for the win but Preston look like they have something else about them this year and are unbeaten. Barry Nicholson aside, they have largely stuck with what they had so hats off to Alan Irvine. I think this will be a close game and could turn on one incident. Let's hope we avoid a sending off, penalty, own-goal etc. If we can do that, a point should be realistic and maybe more if we get the rub of the green we didn't at Watford.
Prediction; 0-0

Reading v Crystal Palace
Oh dear! Reading scored five at home last night and Palace conceded four at Leeds. Neil Warnock didn't sound unduly upset at slipping out of the League Cup but will be demanding more resolve at Reading. Reading will be out to re-confirm their promotion credentials and should have enough to seal Palace's goaless start to the season.
Prediction; 2-0

Sheffield United v Cardiff City
I can't see beyond a convincing home win here. Cardiff have collected five points from some favourable fixtures but reality should bite on Saturday as Sheffield United confirm their promotion aspirations.
Prediction; 2-0

Southampton v Blackpool
A great opportunity for Southampton to get their first home win. Blackpool have started slowly but bought well during the pre-season and this game might come at the right time for them to spring a surprise.
Prediction; 1-2

Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday
The Swans will be buzzing after dumping Hull City out of the League Cup last night. Wednesday's only away trip ended in a four goal defeat at Burnley and they will find the Liberty Stadium just as difficult. Swansea to slide into an early-season play-off place which will make our opening day win look all the more impressive.
Prediction; 2-0

Watford v Ipswich Town
Both of these sides won 2-1 at home last night and will have further, probably unwanted, cup matches to contend with. Watford were undone by an impressive Forest last week but Tommy Smith kept them in the game until late on. A draw might just be beyond Town as it was for us.
Prediction; 1-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest
Mick McCarthy will impress upon his team the fact that they lie second behind Birmingham but have only played one at home. This is their chance to go top if not to establish a lead in the top two places. Forest were beaten 3-1 on their only away game so far at Swansea and could struggle here.
Prediction; 3-1

If things go as I see them, we will need a win at Preston to climb above them and to maintain a play-off placing. A win is also the result we need if we are to have a chance of leap-frogging Wolves when we next run out at the Valley. Hopefully there will be some radio coverage although it looks like there is a commercial wrangle still going on, so who knows...