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Championship Picks and talking points as Matchday 15 sees first Steel City derby of the season

Ash Rose
Championship Picks and talking points as Matchday 15 sees first Steel City derby of the seasonRobbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
A look ahead to this weekend's Championship action.

The Championship heads into the 15th game week of the season, with Sunderland still at the top of the pile, two points ahead of Sheffield United.

Leeds sit in third after suffering a midweek setback by losing away at Millwall, with the Lions making it four wins in a row to move into the table's top six. 

Here's a look this week's biggest story in the division and a look ahead to the weekend's action. 

The talking point 

There is only one place to start, and that's with the surprise sacking of Coventry City manager Mark Robins following the club's 2-1 defeat to Derby County on Wednesday night. 

It comes as a shock to see Robins removed from his post, seeing as the Sky Blues had won their last two fixtures and, despite underperforming this season, were only one victory from returning to the top half of the table.

The former striker had been in charge of the club since 2017 and was the longest-serving manager in the Championship before his dismissal. Robins took over a club in Leagu

Two and has taken Coventry to two promotions, an EFL Trophy win, and was a spot-kick away from making a return to the Premier League in 2023 after losing the Play-off Final to Luton in a penalty shootout. 

However, the club have decided to part ways after stating that 'the performance of the team over an extended period has just not been good enough.' 

Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield is the favourite to replace him, with Frank Lampard and former midfielder Lee Carsley also said to be in the frame. 

The pick of the weekend 

Sheffield United vs. Sheffield Wednesday 

One of the biggest derbies outside the top flight has its first instalment of the season on Sunday, as the United play Wednesday in Sheffield's Steel City derby. 

It's the first meeting between the rivals since the 2018-19 season, where it saw two goalless draws play out between the two. 

Wednesday haven't won at Bramall Lane since February 2009, but come into this game off the back of a 2-0 win over Norwich that sees them sitting 15th in the table. 

Their hosts also won in mid-week, beating Bristol City to record a third victory on the bounce and keep the pressure on Sunderland at the top of the table. 

This weekend's fixtures 

Friday 8 November 

  • Watford vs. Oxford United

Saturday 9 November 

  • Cardiff City vs. Blackburn Rovers 
  • Middlesbrough vs. Luton Town 
  • Stoke City vs. Millwall 
  • Derby County vs. Plymouth Argyle 
  • Leeds United vs. Queens Park Rangers 
  • Norwich City vs. Bristol City 
  • Portsmouth vs. Preston North End 
  • Sunderland vs. Coventry City 

Sunday 10 November

  • Sheffield United vs. Sheffield Wednesday
  • Hull City vs. West Bromwich Albion 
  • Burnley vs. Swansea City 

How to watch the Championship on DAZN in Canada 

Canadian subscribers can watch the EFL with their DAZN account. 

 

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