Sky Bet Championship: Weekend preview
John Verrall
The unpredictability of the Sky Bet Championship has been highlighted after only three games, and this weekend's fixtures look difficult to call once again.
No team possesses a 100 per cent record in 2015/16, with all dropping at least two points ahead of the third weekend of action in the division.
Here's a look at the Sky Bet Championship weekend schedule (all kick-off times are 3pm unless stated):
Friday 21st August
Birmingham City v Derby County (19:45pm – live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 22nd August
Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday (12:30pm – live on Sky Sports)
Bolton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest
Brighton & Hove Albion v Blackburn Rovers
Burnley v Brentford
Charlton Athletic v Hull City
Fulham v Huddersfield Town
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
Preston North End v Ipswich Town
Queens Park Rangers v Rotherham United
Reading v Milton Keynes Dons
Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers (17:15pm – live on Sky Sports)
The Championship weekend kicks off with Birmingham City against Derby County live on Sky Sports, with both sides looking to protect their unbeaten starts.
Birmingham have picked up four points from their first two games this term, while the Rams have drawn their opening three fixtures and all the action is being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Read more: Live on Sky Sports: Birmingham City v Derby County
On Saturday, there are a number of games which catch the eye and Dougie Freedman's return to the Macron Stadium should be captivating.
The 41-year-old boss was in charge at Bolton for 94 matches, and this will be his first return to his former club.
Read more: Dougie Freedman to face former club - Bolton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest
Elsewhere, early pace-setters Ipswich Town have a testing away fixture against Preston North End. Preston are the only team in the Championship yet to concede a goal and stopper Jordan Pickford, who was signed on loan from Sunderland, is out to keep his fourth consecutive league clean sheet.
Hull and Brighton are the other two teams in the division locked on seven points with Ipswich.
The Tigers have to travel to Charlton, while Brighton host Blackburn and they will have to buck the trend if they are to get the three points.
The Seagulls have not won any of their last six matches against Rovers, a run going back to 1992, but they have momentum on their side this time around after a blistering start.
Another side who will need to defy history is Rotherham, who take on a QPR team that they have not beaten since 1983.
Their task of ending their 32-year wait for a victory against their London opponents looks a tough one, especially after Chris Ramsey's men were able to come back from 2-0 down to grab three points against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek.
Following that defeat, Wolves take on Cardiff City in what will be the 51st league meeting between the pair - Wanderers lead the head-to-head record, with 24 wins compared to Cardiff's 13.
Match Official Appointments
The officials appointed to this weekend's Sky Bet Football League matches were announced earlier this week.
Click here to see what officials are where over the weekend of Sky Bet Championship action
We'll be providing match updates from all of the games in the Sky Bet Championship on Twitter, via @SkyBetChamp.