Championship Preview: Brighton host Nottingham Forest, Norwich City take on Sheffield Wednesday

Week two of the Championship season kicks off on Friday night with Nottingham Forest paying a visit to the AMEX Stadium to face Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Seagulls started the campaign with a 0-0 bore draw at home to Nigel Pearson’s Derby County, who missed out on a return to the Premier League last term. They then kicked off their EFL Cup journey on Tuesday evening against Colchester United, winning 4-0 thanks to goals from Sam Baldock, Elvis Manu and a brace from Jamie Murphy.

I think it’d be fair to say, some Nottingham Forest fans thought their opener against newly-promoted Burton Albion would be a walk in the park, but it proved quite the opposite.

Despite a strong performance from the visitors, Philippe Montanier was able to enjoy an opening day win with his new side. Montanier made it two wins from two on Tuesday night after running out 2-1 winners at the Keepmoat Stadium against League Two Doncaster Rovers thanks to an injury time winner from Jamie Ward.

Clough’s Burton welcome Bristol City at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Burton, Forest’s opening day opponents, welcome the first of 23 teams to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon, this time in the form of Bristol City.

The Brewers enjoyed their return to the Championship last weekend, despite defeat after giving a spirited performance. The visitors even led at one-point courtesy of Lucas Akins, who has now scored in his last three opening day fixtures. Nigel Clough’s men enjoyed midweek success in the EFL Cup, though, beating Bury after exra-time.

Bristol City travel to Burton-on-trent this weekend to play their second consecutive newly-promoted side having hosted Wigan Athletic at Ashton Gate last weekend. Lee Johnson’s men enjoyed a 2-1 win against the Latics with a particular highlight of on-loan Chelsea youngster, Tammy Abraham, notching a debut goal.

A midweek trip to Adams Park in the EFL Cup resulted in a 1-0 win against Wycombe Wanderers who had to name their manager on the bench to make up the numbers.

At Villa Park, 3:00pm this Saturday, two sides meet having both endured questionable starts to their respective seasons as Aston Villa welcome Rotherham United.

Both sides are under new management in Roberto Di Matteo and Alan Stubbs, but both are yet to make their mark, Di Matteo more so than Stubbs.

Villa followed in the footsteps of fellow relegation sufferers Newcastle United, with both clubs falling to 1-0 defeats. Villa had bouts of possession, however, but failed to break down defensive lines and therefore couldn’t find a breakthrough against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday lunchtime.

Rotherham were able to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they felt disappointed after leading 2-0 and playing with a man advantage.

Both sides fell short during the week against lower league opposition in the EFL Cup. Villa losing 3-1 away to Luton Town, whereas, the Millers failed against Morecambe 5-4, so both sides will be looking to bounce back straight away.

Ex-Netherlands, PSV, Manchester United and Lazio defender Stam is now in charge of the Royals – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Recently taken over and under new instructions, Wolverhampton Wanderers, who salvaged a point against Rotherham last week, welcome Jaap Stam’s Reading to Molineux.

Walter Zenga started life with a draw at the New York Stadium before seeing off Crawley Town in midweek. Zenga will be without key figure, Dominic Iorfa, for the visit of the Royals after being shown a red card in their season opener.

Eyebrows were raised after the appointment of Stam at Reading; however, two competitive games in, two wins isn’t a bad position to be in.

Triumph at the Madejski Stadium against Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle respectively has led to a likening from the fans, with all three goals scored so far this season being scored by the Dutchman’s new recruits.

The clash of the weekend comes, arguably, at Carrow Road where league leaders, Norwich City entertain Sheffield Wednesday, with both sides enjoying opening day wins and tipped for promotion come May.

Elsewhere; Norwich’s rivals, Ipswich Town travel to London to face Brentford, troubled Leeds United face Birmingham City, Barnsley host Derby, Blackburn look to recover from their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Norwich against Wigan and Newcastle will look to improve on Friday’s defeat against Huddersfield Town.

Fulham travel to Preston looking to make it two league wins from two, meanwhile Queens Park Rangers, who ensured Garry Monk had a miserable start to life at Leeds last week, fill the Sunday slot again with a trip to Wales to face Cardiff City.