Image: “newcastle united vs middlesbrough” (CC BY 2.0) by nyaa_birdies_perch The Championship is a notoriously competitive domestic league. The Premier League may have all the glitz and the glamour, but the second tier of English football is very tough and things change every week. The 2016-17 Championship campaign is proving to be hugely exciting and entertaining. Newcastle United… Read more →
An impressive performance helped Huddersfield to a 3-1 win over Championship leaders Brighton on Thursday evening – but what have we learnt from the game? Contrasting intentions Right from the first 60 seconds, in which Rajiv Van La Parra flew past the rash Bruno at speed and Huddersfield piled five men in the box, it… Read more →
In the FA Cup this weekend, Lincoln look to oust another Championship club, though leaders Brighton will provide a stern test. Middlesbrough hope to avenge their previous League Cup defeat to Accrington Stanley while Newcastle, often underachievers in the FA Cup, could start to buck the trend with a win at League One Oxford. Lincoln… Read more →
A dramatic encounter at the AMEX on Friday night saw Brighton go top of the league with a 2-1 win over play-off contenders Sheffield Wednesday. But what have we learnt from the game? Strong spirit at Brighton Brighton this season are the football equivalent of Indiana Jones: even when things don’t appear well, onlookers retain an inner confidence that they will… Read more →
This weekend’s FA Cup action sees Martin Allen and Sam Allardyce return to their former clubs, Brentford and Bolton Wanderers respectively. The Football Lab discusses whether those two bosses will have a successful return and also looks at Championship high-flyers Brighton, who entertain League One MK Dons. Bolton v Crystal Palace Sam Allardyce spent eight… Read more →
Brighton & Hove Albion have reached the Championship play-offs in three of the last four seasons. In that time, their average home attendance has remained above 25k. With excellent facilities, a ruthless team and strong characters throughout the club, they surely have all the essentials to get into the Premier League. Twitter account @BrightonFanbase assess their chances of doing so. Brighton finished… Read more →
Sheffield Wednesday had finished their league season in poor form but if they or their fans were nervous about their play-off semi-final with Brighton, it did not show. A rocking Hillsborough saw the Owls produce a fine performance of slick, attacking football to secure a 2-0 win over their toothless south-coast visitors. The decision to… Read more →
Here are The Football Lab’s previews for all 12 of Tuesday night’s Championship matches. Bristol City and Rotherham look to continue their climb away from relegation danger. Chris Hughton returns to St Andrews as manager of promotion-chasing Brighton, Burnley and Cardiff look to build on good form while a disappointing 2016 means Hull and Derby must… Read more →
The Football Lab has often spoken highly of Dean Smith and has praised the talent he and Richard O’Kelly have inherited at Brentford. However, there have been certain signs in the last month or so that something is not quite right at Griffin Park. That is, not because of the four straight defeats in early January – every… Read more →
Here are The Football Lab’s predictions for tonight’s games in the Championship. Brighton look to end their recent goalscoring problems against Ipswich, who have had some good results lately but are yet to prove themselves against the division’s elite. Meanwhile, Slavisa Jokanovic takes charge of Fulham for the first time, the visitors to Craven Cottage being… Read more →