Whereas technically the Championship returned after its World Cup hiatus with Sunderland’s 3-0 win over Millwall final Saturday, this weekend will see the second tier again in all its glory.
The vast majority of groups have performed 21 instances, that means there’s one other 25 rounds of video games for completely all the pieces to vary at each ends of the desk.
Right here’s what to look out for in the course of the second a part of the season.
Sunderland beat Millwall final weekend, and the Championship will get again up and working in full this weekend
BATTLE OF THE ROSES AT THE TOP
The automated promotion race shall be fascinating. Burnley went by means of a summer season of huge upheaval following their relegation from the Premier League however have emerged the stronger for it.
Vincent Kompany has banished recollections of Dyche-ball and made the Clarets a pleasure to observe, with the Championship’s high scorers demolishing near-neighbours Blackburn of their final sport.
However one of many few groups to have overwhelmed Burnley up to now are simply three factors behind them on the high.
Sheffield United smashed them 5-2 at Bramall Lane simply earlier than the World Cup pause, with resurgent striker Oli McBurnie on the double.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley are high of the desk, however are being challenged by rivals Blackburn
The Scot had gone nearly a 12 months with out scoring till he discovered the online at Luton in late August.
Since then, he hasn’t stopped with eight targets in 13 video games, working properly in tandem with Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye, who’s simply again from Qatar.
Then there’s Blackburn, 5 factors off the highest in third. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s facet could properly have shaken off early-season inconsistencies however are maybe too reliant on the targets of Chile striker Ben Brereton Diaz to get them again to the Premier League for the primary time since 2012.
BOUNCEBACKABILITY
No surprises to see yo-yo golf equipment Watford and Norwich subsequent within the standings as they search for an prompt Premier League return.
Watford have already modified supervisor this season – clearly – with Slaven Bilic changing Rob Edwards after he’d overseen simply 11 video games. Edwards has since changed Nathan Jones at Watford’s bitter rivals Luton.
Bilic has definitely improved outcomes although the Hornets do nonetheless stay fallible.
Slaven Bilic has received Watford into rivalry for promotion since arriving at Vicarage Highway
Norwich are often storming off with the title by now however promotion is much from assured this time with Dean Smith’s staff dropping far too many factors.
The type of United States worldwide Josh Sargent has been a serious plus level however there’s floor to make up.
THE SQUEEZED MIDDLE
Better of luck to anybody predicting the play-off quartet this time. Simply 4 factors cut up Queens Park Rangers in sixth and Middlesbrough in fifteenth and it’s all to play for.
QPR are reeling from Michael Beale’s departure to Rangers and can really feel like they’re ranging from scratch having performed a few of their finest soccer in years.
Millwall will fancy cracking the highest six this time, Swansea are coming collectively underneath Russell Martin and Preston have change into a bit extra entertaining after their opening eight video games witnessed simply three targets.
QPR are nonetheless coming to phrases with Michael Beale’s departure after he joined Rangers
Coventry have been served with a stadium eviction discover by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group at a time after they’re solely two factors off the play-offs with two video games in hand.
Birmingham’s takeover by ex-Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez could have collapsed however they’re not having a foul season both.
WHO’S IN TROUBLE?
Huddersfield urgently want some factors on the board to keep away from being lower adrift on the backside having modified managers twice because the begin of July.
The previous Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is the brand new man in cost at Wigan – his first managerial place – and must carry them out the underside three.
There was a greater feeling round West Brom previous to the World Cup with three straight wins after Carlos Corberan had changed Steve Bruce. However they continue to be in hassle.
Carlos Corberan has improved outcomes at West Brom, however his facet nonetheless discover themselves in hassle
