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Championship preview

Image: Jewell: Ipswich Town are the early leaders after thrashing Bristol City

The Championship continues and there are eight teams in action looking to maintain their perfect starts to the campaign.

Eight teams are looking to maintain their perfect starts

The Championship continues this weekend and there are eight teams in action looking to maintain their perfect starts to the campaign. Ipswich lead the way after putting Bristol City to the sword, although Hull City are likely to provide a stern test for Paul Jewell's side at Portman Road. Newly-promoted Southampton are second after dishing out a beating to Leeds and the Saints will be confident of maintaining their run against Barnsley. Brighton's late show saw them beat Doncaster in their season opener and it will be a South Coast derby on Saturday as they take on Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Derby County upset fancied Birmingham last weekend and they host a Watford side who surrendered a 2-0 lead to Burnley in their season opener. Peterborough made a positive Championship return last time out, although they will have their work cut out on Sunday as they tackle promotion hopefuls Blackpool. Cardiff secured the result of the weekend having toppled West Ham and you would not bet against them making it six points from six against Bristol City at home. Last season's play-off finalists Reading will provide the opposition for Sven Goran Eriksson's big-spending Leicester City in Saturday's meeting at the King Power Stadium. Leeds will be looking to banish the memory of their St Mary's Stadium shocker, although the Whites are unlikely to have everything go their way against Middlesbrough at Elland Road. Birmingham have another Midlands derby on their hands this weekend as Coventry make the trip to Chris Hughton's Blues. Nottingham Forest will have been disappointed at opening their campaign with a goalless draw, although a trip to The Den to face Millwall is never the easiest venue to claim the points. Promotion hopefuls West Ham make the trip up north on Saturday to South Yorkshire where Sam Allardyce's side will be hoping to get their season back on track at Doncaster. Crystal Palace's home fixture with Burnley concludes the mouth-watering weekend Championship programme.