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Championship preview

Image: Clough: Looking for Derby to maintain their impressive start to the campaign

Derby and Southampton put their perfect league records on the line, while Doncaster search for their first point.

Rams and Saints look to march on at head of table

Early leaders Derby and Southampton put their perfect Championship records on the line, while rock-bottom Doncaster go in search of their first point. Nigel Clough's Derby host Burnley at Pride Park looking to make it five wins on the bounce, while the Clarets are still searching for their first league success. Fellow joint-leaders Southampton put their 100 per cent record on the line at big spending - and pre-season favourites - Leicester, who have suffered shock defeats in their opening two home games. Middlesbrough sit in third in the early table after an unbeaten start and Tony Mowbray's men next face lowly Coventry, who have yet to muster a point on their travels. Fourth-placed Brighton take on sixth-placed Peterborough in an intriguing clash of newly-promoted sides who are holding their own in the Championship so far. Crystal Palace occupy the heady heights of fifth after three wins on the bounce and Dougie Freedman's side have also won all three league and cup outings at home this term. The Eagles put this impressive record on the line against a Blackpool outfit who will be looking to get back to winning ways after earning just one point from their last two league games.

Ambitions

Eighth-placed Cardiff sit outside the play-offs on goal difference and next travel to Portsmouth in a clash of sides with Premier League ambitions. Hull City host Reading at the KC with both teams aiming to halt a run of two successive league losses. Ipswich are in an equally worrying run of form - losing their last four league and cup games - with Paul Jewell's side shipping a staggering 12 goals in their last two defeats. But it will be tough for the Tractor Boys against a confident Leeds side who are hitting a run of form - unbeaten in three, including a 2-1 win at Doncaster in the Carling Cup in midweek. That defeat continued a miserable start for rock-bottom Doncaster, who have yet to pick up a point in the league this term. In Saturday's last tie, Millwall put their unbeaten record at The Den on the line against a Barnsley side who will be up for this challenge after dispatching Reading away last time.
Sunday's clashes
Nottingham Forest host West Ham on Sunday in an intriguing clash being show live on Sky Sports HD1 from 1pm. New Forest boss Steve McClaren is yet to taste success at the City Ground, but his side will take heart from a three-game unbeaten run, while the Hammers will be aiming to bounce back from a shock Carling Cup exit to Aldershot in midweek. Sunday's other game sees Birmingham - fresh from Thursday's impressive Europa League win over Portuguese Nacional - travel to Watford. Chris Hughton's side are yet to pick up a point on their travels but Sean Dyche's Hornets have an exact home record - with no points at Vicarage Road so far this term.