Championship football returns this weekend after a two-week break for internationals.

The domestic season recommences this evening when Gary Rowett’s Derby County host Ian Holloway’s QPR, with the Rams currently nine points adrift of the top six, and in need of all three points in Rowett’s first home game in charge if they are to remain in play-off contention.

Saturday sees a South Yorkshire derby between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday take place at Oakwell, with both teams looking to get back to winning ways after losses in their last outing, while leaders Newcastle could take another step closer to a return to the Premier League with victory over struggling Wigan at St James’ Park.

Second place Brighton also face a side threatened by relegation, with Tony Mowbray taking his Blackburn team to the AMEX Stadium, while the side above them Burton Albion face a tricky trip to third place Huddersfield, with David Wagner’s men still harbouring ambitions of an automatic spot this season.

Elsewhere at the bottom, Mark Warburton’s Nottingham Forest could really do with all three points at Preston, while 19th place Bristol City travel to Brentford.

There’s also fifth versus fourth at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday evening as Reading host Leeds, and on what is set to be a fascinating weekend of action in the second tier, here are THREE huge clashes to keep an eye on over the next few days…

Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday

The South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell on Saturday lunchtime takes on even greater significance, as both Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday need to bounce back after damaging defeats last time out.

The Tykes went down 2-0 at Norwich to extend their winless league run to six matches, of which they have lost four, and it’s a run which has all but ended their faint hopes of reaching the play-offs this term.

However, that 11-point gap to the top six would become eight if they were to overcome Carlos Carvalhal’s Owls on Saturday, as it is his side who currently occupy the final play-off spot.

Wednesday lost 2-0 at home to fellow top six side Reading prior to the international break, which means that they have won just one of their last six league matches, including their last two without scoring.

Nonetheless, a derby normally brings the best out of the players, so expect both teams to put their recent poor form behind them at Oakwell on Saturday.

Ipswich Town vs Birmingham City

With Burton, Blackburn, and Wigan facing Huddersfield, Brighton, and Newcastle respectively, both Mick McCarthy and Gianfranco Zola will sense a real opportunity to pull clear of danger this weekend.

McCarthy’s Ipswich are currently a place above the Blues in the table, but the Tractor Boys haven’t won any of their last seven league games, and have actually won just one of their last 12.

However, of those 12, eight have been draws, but they need to start turning some of those into wins if they are not to be dragged into a relegation dogfight, starting at home to Birmingham on Saturday.

Zola’s side have also struggled in recent times, winning none of their last four and just one of their previous eight, to fall from seventh when the Italian took over to 18th in the division, just five points clear of danger.

They did hold leaders Newcastle in their last outing, and they have to take the confidence from that result into their trip to Portman Road on Saturday.

Reading vs Leeds United

Saturday evening sees fifth take on fourth at the Madejski Stadium as Jaap Stam’s Reading host Garry Monk’s Leeds United.

The Royals got the better of fellow play-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday just before the international break to open up a six-point gap over Fulham in seventh, and they boast the third-best home record in the league having won 12 of their 19 matches at the Madejski Stadium.

In fact, they haven’t tasted defeat at home since the middle of January, yet Monk’s Leeds are currently embarking on a seven-game unbeaten streak, and beat second place Brighton 2-0 at Elland Road prior to the break for internationals.

And with just two defeats in their last eight games, they also know how to pick up points on the road, so it’s all set up to be an enthralling encounter between two sides hopeful of a return to the Premier League come May.