Championship Matchday 2 Preview

The Championship's opening weekend wasn't exactly what we've come to expect from one of the most frantic leagues in world football.

Just 20 goals were scored over the second tier's first matchday, with five of those coming in Bournemouth's 3-2 win over Blackburn.

However, with just a little over a month separating the end of last season and the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign, it's perfectly understandable that some teams may take a little longer than usual to find their feet.

With 14 of the Championship's 24 teams in midweek Carabao Cup action, any rustiness from a stuttered pre-season should be just about wearing off, meaning matchday two promises to be a more lively occasion. So to whet your appetite, here's 90min's preview of the upcoming weekend's clashes.

1. Blackburn vs Wycombe Wanderers

Despite a spirited effort Blackburn suffered opening day defeat at Bournemouth / Rachel Holborn - BRFC/Getty Images

Despite a spirited opening day performance at Bournemouth, Tony Mowbray's side left the Vitality Stadium empty-handed.

New signing Daniel Ayala is unlikely to feature from the off for Rovers having not played a competitive game since New Year's Day, though Adam Armstrong is expected to be reinstated to the starting XI.

Similarly to Rovers, Wycombe suffered late heartbreak in their opening day clash with Rotherham. Gareth Ainsworth will yet again be without Adebayo Akinfenwa, though Dominic Gape is available following a one-match suspension.

2. Brentford vs Huddersfield

Huddersfield and Brentford both suffered narrow opening day defeats / William Early/Getty Images

Brentford showed plenty of endeavour and willingness in last weekend's defeat at Birmingham, but they lacked a real cutting edge.

A stubborn Huddersfield side represent another big test for Thomas Frank's men, with some already beginning to question record signing Ivan Toney's credentials in the Championship.

Huddersfield kicked off their campaign with an opening day loss at the hands of Norwich, with their inability to put the ball in the net yet again proving their Achilles heel. Their quest for goals could be helped by the return of Danny Ward, with the frontman looking set to return after sitting out the defeat to the Canaries.

3. Coventry vs QPR

Mark Warburton's men showed no signs of struggling without the goals of Jordan Hugill and Eberechi Eze on the opening day / James Chance/Getty Images

Coventry were desperately unlucky to come away from Ashton Gate without a point last weekend.

However, there's good news on the injury front with Declan Drysdale available for selection having missed the defeat to Bristol City through suspension. If Mark Robins' men can continue the form which saw them lose just once at home last season they'll have a great chance of survival.

Many tipped QPR to struggle without top scorers Eberechi Eze and Jordan Hugill, though they looked superb in their win over Nottingham Forest. A debut goal for Lyndon Dykes will have delighted Mark Warburton, and the Scotland international is expected to retain his place up top.

4. Luton Town vs Derby County

Wayne Rooney's side got off to the worst possible start at home to Reading / Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Luton's win over Barnsley last weekend was far from convincing, and boss Nathan Jones will expect a much better performance at home to Derby.

The Hatters have no fresh injury concerns, with Martin Cranie and Harry Cornick both expected to return to the starting XI having missed the midweek Carabao Cup clash with Reading.

Martyn Waghorn remains sidelined for the visitors, meaning Jack Marriott is likely to start. Meanwhile, new signing Kamil Jozwiak is in contention to start, as Phillip Cocu's side go in search of their first points of the season following a dismal showing at home to Reading last weekend.

5. Middlesbrough vs Bournemouth

Neil Warnock will be missing this weekend having tested positive for coronavirus / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Middlesbrough confirmed this week that Neil Warnock has tested positive for coronavirus, meaning the veteran boss will be absent for their first home game in this season's Championship. Sam Morsy looks set to make his league debut for Boro with George Saville potentially missing out.

Bournemouth's thrilling opening day win over Blackburn is exactly what new boss Jason Tindall would have wanted, as his side notched their first points of the season following numerous high-profile departures.

The Cherries will be without a whole host of first-team players for the trip to Teesside, including Josh King, Diego Rico and Adam Smith.

6. Norwich vs Preston

Norwich recorded an opening day win at Huddersfield / Ben Early - AMA/Getty Images

Saturday's win over Huddersfield may not have been pretty but Daniel Farke won't care about that. The home side have no fresh injury concerns as they welcome Championship football back to Carrow Road.

Alex Neil's side can feel thoroughly hard done by to have come away from their clash with Swansea empty-handed. A daunting trip to a Norwich side who've lost very few of their top-flight players is not ideal, though Neil can boast a near-fully fit squad for the clash.

7. Nottingham Forest vs Cardiff

Neil Harris takes his Cardiff side to Nottingham Forest on Saturday / Cardiff City FC/Getty Images

Nottingham's Forest's opening day display at QPR was nothing short of abysmal, with Sabri Lamouchi's men failing to record a single shot on target. Danger man Joe Lolley returns for the clash with Cardiff, though Lamouchi has confirmed Tiago Silva will play no part.

Joe Ralls and Lee Tomlin are both expected to be fit for the Bluebirds, however, the trip will come too soon for Isaac Vassell and Gavin Whyte who both remain sidelined.

8. Reading vs Barnsley

Gerhard Struber won't have been impressed with his side's performance at home to Luton / George Wood/Getty Images

Veljko Paunovic is expected to name the same starting XI that performed so well away at Derby last weekend, though the return to fitness of summer signing Ovie Ejaria could see him work his way into the Reading boss' thinking.

Barnsley's struggles last season came about because of a shocking start to the campaign, and their opening day loss at home to Luton will have Tykes fans worrying history is about to repeat itself. Both Luke Thomas and Patrick Schmidt produced brilliant performances in the midweek win over Boro in the Carabao Cup, and they could be in line for a start this weekend.

9. Rotherham vs Millwall

Millwall couldn't force their way past a stubborn Stoke side last weekend / Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

New signing George Hirst could be set to make his Millers debut this weekend as Rotherham look to build on their opening day win over Wycombe. They will, however, be without the injured Curtis Tilt and Clark Robinson.

For the visitors, Troy Parrott is a doubt, as is Mahlon Romeo, and Bart Bialkowski is set to deputise for Frank Fielding in goal.

Gary Rowett's side looked unconvincing in their opening day draw with Stoke and could have quite easily ended up on the losing side.

10. Sheffield Wednesday vs Watford

Garry Monk's side are already chipping away at their 12-point deduction / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Garry Monk's side are already on their way to wiping out the 12-point deduction handed to them for their breach of financial rules.

The partnership between Jordan Rhodes and Josh Windass could be key in their bid for survival, and a clash against a depleted Watford side offers the perfect chance to notch back-to-back league wins.

Despite their opening day win over Boro, Watford are clearly suffering from the amount of first-team absentees at the club. Whether there are genuine injuries or players pushing for a move away, the Hornets are severely depleted and yet again look set to be without Troy Deeney, Roberto Pereyra, Will Hughes, Andre Gray, Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu.

11. Stoke vs Bristol City

Michael O'Neill was pleased with his side's opening day draw at Millwall / James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images

Boss Michael O'Neill can be pleased with his side's point at Millwall last weekend, especially with key men Joe Allen and Ryan Shawcross out injured. The pair are again expected to miss out with Thibaud Verlinden joining them on the sidelines.

Last weekend's match winner Tomas Kalas is a doubt for the visitors, having picked up a shoulder injury in the midweek Carabao Cup victory over Northampton. Last season's top scorer Famara Diedhiou is likely to start despite not signing a new deal with the club, with a move away from Ashton Gate looking increasingly likely.

12. Swansea vs Birmingham

Birmingham defended brilliantly to overcome Brentford last weekend / Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Swansea were outplayed for large spells of their clash with Preston last weekend, but they provided the clinical finishing required to take all three points. Steve Cooper is likely to name the same starting XI that started at Deepdale, with no injury news to report of.

Aitor Karanka's side did everything an Aitor Karanka side should do at home to Brentford last week, taking an early lead before soaking up everything last season's play-off finalists had to offer. It was a brilliant performance and Birmingham will be full of confidence coming into this one.

Their only slight worry ahead of the weekend trip to Swansea is the fitness off Lukas Jutkiewicz. The frontman is struggling for match fitness, but he managed to see out almost the full 90 minutes last weekend despite being in clear discomfort.