Danny Mills spent much of his career playing in the Premier League, most notably with Manchester City and Leeds United. He has remained in the game as a pundit and sat down with bwin this week for an exclusive interview where he discussed a variety of topics.
Saturday lunchtime’s Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough has more at stake than just bragging rights with both teams firmly in the mix to finally return to the Premier League. Just one point separates the two teams after Sheffield Wednesday gained ground in midweek with a home win against Stoke while Leeds were held to a 1-1 draw at Preston.
Huddersfield have enjoyed a revival in recent weeks and have the chance to leapfrog Middlesbrough in Wednesday night’s televised Championship clash. The Terriers have picked up eight points from their last four games and are now just one behind Boro, who have lost four of their last five matches.
Cardiff are three points behind Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship table after 11 rounds of fixtures but still appeal due to their strong home form. The Bluebirds have secured four victories and a draw with Fulham from five league games in Wales, beating QPR 3-0 in the last match at this venue.
Huddersfield began to turn their season around with two straight wins before the international break and can pick up a decent point when visiting Blackburn. Rovers are six points and seven places above Town in the Championship table, but are coming off a sticky patch and may settle for steadying the ship.
Nottingham Forest have built up some strong momentum in the Championship this term and are taken to prove too hot for Wigan at DW Stadium. The Latics have done well to win their last couple of games at this venue against Charlton and Birmingham, but this is rated a tougher test.
Leeds are sure to be fired up for Saturday’s Championship clash with Derby, having been knocked out of the play-offs by the Rams last season. United were surprisingly beaten 4-2 at Elland Road in mid-May after coming out on top in three previous meetings during that campaign.
Both Derby and Cardiff are not doing as well as expected in the Championship and each manager may settle for a draw when they meet. The Rams are yet to win at Pride Park after three league matches on home turf, while the Bluebirds have only picked up one point from the same number of away games.
As the international break ends and crowds flock back to Premier League and EFL stadiums, we’ve quantified exactly which sets of fans have the most entertainment to look forward to. Every venue has been ranked, both overall and within their current division, to inform the discerning spectator.
A new era has begun for both Derby and West Brom and Saturday’s Pride Park clash will help to show which is in better shape to push for a return to the Premier League. Both teams went close last season but missed out in the Championship play-offs and now have new managers in charge.
Home advantage proved decisive in both games when Huddersfield and Fulham met in the Premier League last season and that trend could continue in the Championship. The Cottagers are still trying to play a passing game, but those tactics look questionable on a pitch also used for rugby league.
Reading and Cardiff drew twice when last meeting in the Championship a couple of seasons ago and we’re expecting a similarly even contest. The Royals have brought in promising reinforcements in a bid to avoid another relegation battle, while the Bluebirds are eyeing a quick return to the Premier League.
Huddersfield begin life back in the Championship with a tricky test against Derby but home advantage can help them to hit the ground running. The Terriers obviously face a test of character after being relegated from the Premier League, but we feel they have the mental fortitude to thrive at this level.
Luton will be fired up for their Championship debut following back-to-back promotions but could get a reality check when entertaining Middlesbrough. The visitors only just missed out on making the play-offs again last term and were in the Premier League as recently as three seasons ago.