Championship / Andrew French / 13 January 2011 /

After his 'winter break' Andrew French is back to preview the best of this weekend's Championship action, including Cardiff's tough-looking trip to Carrow Road.

Norwich v Cardiff

I admire ambition, but I did wonder what Burnley thought might tempt Norwich manager Paul Lambert to drop seven league places and eight points down the Championship table to join them. It must have been heartening for the Canaries - particularly the players - to see Lambert swiftly say no thanks, and that will doubtless give them a lift ahead of their big top-three clash with Cardiff at Carrow Road. Norwich haven't got the most outstanding home record, but they have only lost once at Carrow Road against top-half sides. Cardiff claimed a draw at Stoke in the cup at the weekend, but before that they had lost four consecutive away games and shipped 10 goals in the process. I'm not sure Cardiff are back to their best despite their cup display, and I think Norwich could justify their manager's faith in them.

Back Norwich at [2.38] to beat Cardiff

Coventry v Sheff Utd

It must feel like playing Championship Manager in real life for Mickey Adams. The new Sheffield United manager is a lifelong Blades fan, and suddenly he's in charge of the club. He was doing a fine job at Port Vale, and has a CV that shows both success and experience. The fact he was also Coventry manager adds a bit of spice to this one. Adams has a job on his hands, turning United back into a side that operates at the top end of the table - they showed plenty of spirit to come back from two down against Doncaster to get a point in their last league game, and they made Aston Villa sweat at times in the cup. Coventry are in a lean spell, without a win in six league games, and although they beat Crystal Palace in the cup at the weekend that doesn't tell me they are over the worst. With Adams needing to get points on the board, and clearly not wanting to lose at his old club, I can see them the Blades going home with something.

Lay Coventry at [2.3] v Sheff Utd

Millwall v Ipswich

There are better places to be going for your first game in charge of a new team, as I think Paul Jewell will discover when he takes his Ipswich team to The New Den. Millwall had been through a sticky patch at home earlier in the season (a run of one win in seven), but they have turned that back around (how often do you see that in the Championship!) and have won their last three in front of their own fans, scoring eight and conceding none. They were beaten 4-1 at home by Birmingham in the FA Cup, but cup games are often best ignored in terms of form. Jewell inherits an Ipswich side that has won just twice in 10 league games, and lost three of the last four on the road. Last weekend's 7-0 drubbing at Chelsea will have dented confidence, and despite it being restored in midweek with a terrific first leg League Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal, the Tractor Boys need to improve their league form significantly to get something this weekend.

Back Millwall at [1.88] to beat Ipswich

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