Sheffield United Vs Charlton Athletic
This weekend marks Chris Wilder’s big return to Championship management in this fixture, returning to The Blades for his third spell, following Ruben Selles’s departure off-the-back of a not only winless, but pointless start. Despite leaving three months prior, after achieving 96 points, only to be pipped to promotion by Sunderland at Wembley, Wilder got the chop, to make way for Selles, but this decision is undoubtedly regretted by everyone surrounding Sheffield United.
Charlton at home could be the game to ignite the spark in their season, with Charlton not quite getting off to the start they would have desired upon their Championship return, currently sitting in 18th place without a win since their opening day triumph. They are additionally the league’s second lowest scorers, with only opponents Sheffield United bagging less, as new blockbuster attacking signings Harvey Knibbs and Charlie Kelman are yet to hit the ground running following their step up in division.
Both sides will be looking to finally have some positives to build upon, and I can see this being quite a scrappy game.
Leicester City Vs Coventry City
Not only is this a local fixture, which always adds a bit of spice to any fixture between these two sides, but they are also in a relatively similar position in the Championship table, with The Foxes in fourth place following their relegation back down after a single season back in the Premier League, and opponents Coventry in sixth place, who currently remain unbeaten. This fixture should produce some absolute fireworks on the pitch, given Coventry are the league’s top scorers with fifteen goals already in their five games, producing some immense attacking displays under Frank Lampard.
Leicester aren’t quite as high scoring in comparison, but still possess one of the league’s best attacks, with the combination of Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi on the wings causing any full-back nightmares but are lacking that cutting-edge striker any promotion winning side needs, following Jamie Vardy’s departure after more than a decade with the club.
Cardiff City Vs Bradford City
League One’s top of the table clash has the potential to be this weekend’s most anticipated fixture, with Bradford stunning League One on their return, flying high in second position, narrowly being fended off the top spot by their opponents Cardiff City by just goal difference! Cardiff in contrast, are performing as expected following their relegation to the third tier, remaining unbeaten in the league despite their squad’s youthful nature.
Bradford City are going into this game with a bit of an injury crisis at the back, with Curtis Tilt ruled out for at least two months, Neill Byrne and Tom McIntyre yet to get any minutes this campaign, although the latter are currently in training. Cardiff hold an immaculate defensive record, conceding just twice in League One so far, but I can foresee a great game between these two sides, and by 5PM, will Cardiff be “Pecked by the chickens? Or will Welsh football overturn English football?
Bolton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic
A classic derby day never fails to disappoint, with both Lancashire sides hoping to get one up over their fierce rivals. The 12:30 kick-off sees two sides who have had arguably bang average starts to the season face off, with Bolton drawing five out of eight of their fixtures so far (all five ending one all), who are currently sat at an underwhelming fourteenth place, whereas Wigan are a few place higher in eighth, but are in poor form, winning just one out of their last five League One games.
Located just eight miles apart, The Toughsheet Community stadium is expected to be packed out, in both the home and away end and a cracking atmosphere is expected, and hopefully the action on the pitch matches the anticipation of supporters and doesn’t end up as another one-one draw for Bolton Wanderers!
Middlesbrough Vs West Brom
It’s arguably too early to call any fixture a promotion crunch match, but as it stands, Middlesbrough Vs West Brom fits the description to a tee! Currently standing as first against fifth in the table, Sky Sports have gotten the idea this fixture will be a cracker, as they’ve moved it to their eight o’clock slot on Friday night!
Rob Edwards’ revitalised Boro side have started this campaign in flying form, winning their opening four fixtures, dropping two last Saturday against Preston North End however, but The Baggies are expected to be their biggest challenge yet, as Ryan Mason’s new look squad has performed well together so far, regardless of their big name departures towards the end of the summer transfer window, with the likes of Darnell Furlong, Tom Fellows and Torbjoern Heggem all departing for substantial fees.
