Key Championship Fixtures & Where to Watch Them Ahead of the League's Return

The Championship is following in the Premier League's footsteps with a return to action on 20 June, following three months without football.

Standings are tantalisingly poised, with just six points separating sixth from 13th, and just three points between 22nd and 17th, meaning there's everything to play for in the nine remaining league fixtures.

Let's take a look at a selection of fixtures that could prove decisive when the league gets back underway.

20 June: Brentford vs. Fulham

Kick Off Time: 12:30

Where to Watch: Sky Sports Football

The Championship restart gets off to an absolutely cracking start, as fourth place Brentford welcome third place Fulham.

The hosts will move within a point of their opponents with victory, while the visitors would sit just three points behind the automatic promotion places if they win.

Brentford are the league's joint top scorers, while Fulham possess the top marksman in the division in the shape of Aleksandar Mitrovic, giving this west London derby the potential to be a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

20 June: Hull vs. Charlton

Kick Off Time: 15:00

It's straight in at the deep end for Hull and Charlton, who return to action with a relegation six-pointer.

Hull have slid down the table since January, having lost Kamil Grosicki and Jared Bowen, while Charlton slipped into the bottom three for the first time all season after defeat to Middlesbrough in March.

Just two points and one place separate the two sides, and Hull will replace Charlton in the relegation zone if the visitors win.

26 June: Brentford vs. West Brom

Kick Off Time: 19:45

Where to Watch: Sky Sports Football

Brentford welcome another promotion rival just six days after the visit of Fulham, as second place West Brom make the trip to Griffin Park.

The pair are the joint top scorers in the Championship, having both found the net 64 times this season.

West Brom are just one point behind leaders Leeds, and have a 10 point buffer over Brentford. However, should things go Brentford's way during the opening two rounds of fixtures, this gap could be considerably eaten up before we hit July.

27 June: Preston vs. Cardiff

Kick Off Time: 12:30

Where to Watch: Sky Sports Football

A potentially key fixture in the play-off race sees this season's surprise package Preston host Cardiff. The Lilywhites haven't played top flight football since 1961, but currently occupy the final top six spot.

This could be all change by the time the pair meet in the second round of fixtures, with Cardiff one of an assortment of sides breathing down North End's necks.

The Blue Birds sit two points behind Preston - and are one of five sides who could replace Alex Neil's side in the play-offs during the Championship's first weekend back should results go their way.

27 June: Leeds vs. Fulham

Kick Off Time: 15:00

Where to Watch: Sky Sports Football

Fulham face a fellow promotion rival for a second successive week when they visit Elland Road to take on table-topping Leeds.

With Brentford and West Brom meeting the day before, this weekend could prove to be potentially pivotal in the race to secure Premier League promotion.

Should results go their way, Scott Parker's side could move just a point behind Leeds with victory. However, wins for Leeds and West Brom would see a real points chasm begin to open up between the top two and the chasing pack, all but ending the automatic promotion race.

1 July: Nottingham Forest vs. Bristol City

Kick Off Time: 19:45

Depending on how their opening three fixtures play out, Nottingham Forest could go into their encounter with Bristol City very much in the hunt for automatic promotion, or attempting to cling onto their place in the play-offs.

Forest currently sit fifth: 10 points behind the top two, and five points clear of seventh. Seventh spot is currently occupied by Bristol City.

It could be all change by the time the two meet, but the fixture represents a real opportunity for the Robbins to make up ground on a play-off rival.

2 July: Hull vs. Middlesbrough

Kick Off Time: 15:00

Where to Watch: Sky Sports Football

The Tigers have their fair share of squeaky bum time fixtures to enjoy/endure before the season is out, with a Thursday evening visit of relegation rivals Middlesbrough.

Things have not quite gone to plan for Jonathan Woodgate since taking the reins of his former side in the summer. They have spent much of the season in the relegation zone, but pulled themselves clear with a vital win over fellow strugglers Charlton before the league was suspended.

Both Hull and Middlesbrough are currently level on points, two clear of the relegation zone, but that could be all change by the time the pair meet in July.

11 July: Barnsley vs. Wigan

Kick Off Time: 15:00

Another key fixture in the battle to avoid the drop sees bottom side Barnsley host 20th place Wigan, who are currently two points clear of the relegation zone.

Barnsley had looked marooned in the bottom three, but a hat-trick of victories in February has given them hope - although they are still seven points from safety.

Should they recapture some of that February form, the Tykes could be within touching distance of Wigan when the pair meet.

18 July: Hull vs. Luton & Charlton vs. Wigan

Kick Off Time: 15:00

Hull travel to Wigan and then welcome Luton four days later in a potentially pivotal week in their bid to stay in the Championship. Wigan visit relegation rivals Charlton on the same day.

Which also happens to be the penultimate day of the season.

Luton currently sit second from bottom, six points from safety, but have had quite the lockdown period behind the scenes.

Boss Graeme Jones departed in April, and he has been replaced by Nathan Jones - the man who guided the Hatters to promotion from League Two and had them on course to seal promotion to the Championship, before leaving to take the Stoke City job. Stoke themselves are just three points clear of the drop zone.

22 July: Bristol City vs. Preston

Kick Off Time: TBC

Just a single point currently separates Preston in the final play-off place and Bristol City in seventh. Excitingly, the pair meet on the final day of the season.

The Championship is so unpredictable, and it will likely be all change by then, with Millwall, Swansea, Cardiff, Blackburn, Derby and QPR (down in 13th) all still in the play-off chase.

Proceedings are so finely poised that it could all boil down to the last round of fixtures, leaving a potentially thrilling final day encounter.