There are plenty of crucial games at both ends of the Championship this week as the promotion and relegation battles intensify.
Expect twists in the relegation battle; Hull and Watford showdown
There are plenty of crucial games at both ends of the Championship this week as the promotion and relegation battles intensify.
With
Hull City hosting
Watford in a huge game on Tuesday evening,
Cardiff have the chance to extend their lead at the top with a home fixture against
Blackburn on Easter Monday.
Rovers are on a run of eight without a win, the worst sequence in the division, and have been dragged into the relegation battle because of the improved form of those below them.
They aren't alone as there are five teams within two points of
Wolves in the drop zone and the Molineux club will be hoping to climb out of the bottom three with a win at rivals
Birmingham.
Barnsley are just a point further back in 23rd and will surely fancy their chances against a
Leicester side in freefall under Nigel Pearson having picked up just two points from their last six games.
Bristol City are the only team cut adrift as they are six points from safety and
Sheffield Wednesday will regard the trip to Ashton Gate as an opportunity to ease relegation fears of their own.
Blackpool are another team that has been sucked into the battle against the drop and their home fixture against playoff hopefuls
Crystal Palace will remind of them of better times.
The match marks the return of Ian Holloway to Bloomfield Road and the home faithful will be left bereft if former favourite Kevin Phillips is on target for the Eagles.
Resurgent
Elsewhere in the playoff positions,
Nottingham Forest travel to
Burnley in the hope of continuing their resurgent form under Billy Davies.
The televised game on Sky Sports 1 HD sees one of Davies' former clubs,
Derby County, travel to 1970s rivals
Leeds United in what promises to be a feisty game.
In the final Monday fixture,
Millwall host
Ipswich and a win for either side could lift them into the top half of the table.
As well as the crucial clash between Hull City and Watford, there are three other matches on Tuesday with the trip of
Peterborough to
Middlesbrough the pick with both teams having plenty to play for.
Like Tony Mowbray's Boro,
Brighton are another side chasing the playoff spots and they will host mid-table
Charlton confident of picking up a vital three points.
Completing the full set of Championship fixtures is the 8pm kick-off between
Bolton and
Huddersfield with the Trotters still clinging to promotion hopes while the Terriers need points to avoid the drop.
