The Championship weekend

Last updated : 02 August 2016 By Michael Morris

C:WindowsTempphp8C46.tmpThe 2016 / 17 Sky Bet Championship kicks off this coming Friday when relegated Newcastle (favourites to go straight back up) face Fulham at Craven Cottage. That game is live on Sky Sports, ko 7:45pm.

That's followed by nine games on Saturday afternoon, all kicking off at 3pm including Cardiff's trip to St Andrews to face Birmingham City.

The clubs met in the final game of last season with the match ending 1 - 1.

The six new teams to the division for this season, Newcastle, Norwich, Aston Villa, Wigan, Barnsley and Burton are all away from home on this opening weekend.

There will be the obvious media interest in teams like Newcastle and Villa but I'm keen to see how Burton get on, especially in their opening game at nearish neighbours Nottingham Forest.

The final two games of the first weekend of League action take place on Sunday. QPR host Leeds while Sheff Weds welcome Aston Villa. Both games live on Sky.

 

Fri 5 Aug

Fulham v Newcastle United - 7:45pm Live on Sky

 

Sat 6 Aug (all 3:00pm)

Birmingham City v Cardiff City                                      

Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City                                 

Bristol City v Wigan Athletic                                          

Derby County v Brighton and Hove Albion                                 

Huddersfield Town v Brentford                                      

Ipswich Town v Barnsley                                              

Nottingham Forest v Burton Albion                              

Reading  v Preston North End                                       

Rotherham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

 

Sunday 7 Aug

Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United - 12:00pm Live on Sky

Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa - 4:30pm Live on Sky