Championship preview


The race for promotion and the battle to avoid the drop remains intriguingly poised in the Championship. 
There are just seven games to go in the 2008/09 campaign, for most sides, but the picture at opposing ends of the table remains unclear.

Wolves continue to lead the way, by three points, and they will be hoping to consolidate that standing on Saturday when they travel to struggling Nottingham Forest.
Any slip-up from Mick McCarthy's side will be hoping to be pounced upon by second-placed Birmingham, who entertain Norwich this weekend.

Reading remain in the hunt for a top-two finish and can take another step towards the automatic promotion places when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in front of the Sky Sports 1 cameras.

With Sheffield United and Cardiff not in action until Sunday, Burnley can strengthen their grip on a play-off place with a positive result on the road at Plymouth.

Preston will be hoping to force their way back into the top six when they travel to the capital to face rock-bottom Charlton.

Bristol City will also have eyes on the promotion-chasing pack when they take on faltering Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Swansea will hope to get back to winning ways when they make the trip to Sheffield Wednesday, while Ipswich play host to rejuvenated Watford.

Doncaster could move into the top half of the table if they can recover from back-to-back defeats and take maximum points at Coventry.

Saturday's final two games then pitch Blackpool and Southampton, and Derby and Barnsley head-to-head in proverbial relegation six pointers.
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