There’s a full schedule in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend, with 12 fixtures spread across three days. Here’s the preview…
Saturday noon showdown in Bristol
Getting the Saturday action under way are Bristol City and Cardiff City, with the two teams doing battle at Ashton Gate in the latest instalment of the Severnside derby.
City’s home form is impressive, having only been beaten once so far this season. The Bluebirds, on the other hand, have scored just seven goals on the road — only seven teams have scored fewer on their travels.
Cardiff have won four of their last six Championship outings here and there’s not much to choose between the pair in the standings, in fact just four points and two places separate them.
Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside
The weekend’s entertainment concludes with a derby meeting when Sunderland travel to Middlesbrough on Sunday lunchtime.
It’s the Black Cats’ first fixture since parting company with Simon Grayson, and Billy McKinlay and Robbie Stockdale have been placed in charge of the team ahead of the clash against Boro.
Garry Monk’s men will be in confident mood following two away wins in four days, while Sunderland are still looking for a second win of the campaign. The most recent encounter was the top-flight meeting back in April, where Boro claimed the honours with a narrow 1-0 victory.
Around the grounds
The weekend begins at Molineux, the home of the league leaders, Wolverhampton Wanderers, as Nuno’s side entertain Fulham live in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Four successive victories have seen Derby County move into the division’s top six and, the Rams come up against Reading at Pride Park in their bid to make it five in a row.
After slipping out of the top two following their midweek loss at Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United will be targeting a swift response, with Hull City visiting Bramall Lane. Their Steel City rivals visit Aston Villa, who climbed to fifth with three points on Wednesday night.
Rounding things off on Saturday are Brentford and Leeds United in a televised 5:30pm kick-off. The Bees are on a run of eight unbeaten league games, and a win at Griffin Park would take them to within one point of Thomas Christiansen’s team, who have lost five of their last six outings.
Sky Bet Championship: Matchday 16 fixtures (3pm kick-off unless stated)
Friday 3rd November
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham (7:45pm - live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 4th November
Bristol City v Cardiff City (12 noon)
Aston Villa v Sheffield Wednesday
Barnsley v Birmingham City
Bolton Wanderers v Norwich City
Derby County v Reading
Ipswich Town v Preston North End
Millwall v Burton Albion
Nottingham Forest v Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield United v Hull City
Brentford v Leeds United (5:30pm - live on Sky Sports)
Sunday 5th November
Middlesbrough v Sunderland (12:15pm - live on Sky Sports)
Appointments: Click here for the match officials on weekend duty