Championship preview: Contenders, pretenders and strugglers

What the report says

BBC Sport Football’s Championship preview looks at five Saturday fixtures that could help clarify the shape of the second tier, with several clubs testing their promotion or survival credentials. The article is published as the Championship resumes with a full weekend programme, while League One and League Two sides are tied up in the FA Cup.

Birmingham City, third in the table after winning five of their past six league matches, host Swansea City in what BBC Sport describes as an early examination of both teams’ ambitions. Birmingham have been strong at home and could go top with a win, while Swansea arrive after an uneven run that has included a heavy victory and two big defeats. BBC Sport also points to West Ham United’s short but eventful week under Scott Parker, who returned as manager after the dismissal of Nuno Espirito Santo and will take his side to Blackburn Rovers.

Sheffield United, now in ninth place after four wins from six, face Charlton Athletic, whose early-season momentum has faded into four straight losses. At Preston North End, new boss Graham Alexander is still seeking his first league win as his team battle near the bottom, with Southampton visiting in good away form. West Bromwich Albion, unbeaten in five since James Morrison took charge permanently, meet Millwall at The Hawthorns in a game that may offer a clearer sense of which side can be considered a genuine contender.