Championship / Richard Walker / 14 August 2008 /

Richard Walker can't blame most English football fans for taking their eyes off The Championship this weekend as the Premiership returns. But that' s not to say there isn't money to be made in English football's second tier this Saturday.

Be honest, unless - like me - you're a fan of leagues and divisions lower than the top-flight, this weekend of Championship action is in danger of passing you by much like the first float at a Bank Holiday carnival: you feel guilty for not having noticed it but are soon consumed by the "more important" stuff.

That I'm alluding to the fanfare and flag-waving associated with the start of the Premiership season is obvious but, lest we forget, 22 of the 24 second-tier teams will do battle at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon in the same division - and that alone should be a marketing fillip for the Football League.

Bristol City and Derby County take to the field for a 5.20pm serving, and let's hope we're not left with the cold skin of the already-eaten custard to absorb. We shouldn't be, I reckon this'll be unadulterated 100 miles per hour Championship football at its best.

I've made no secret of telling friends - those that'll listen long enough these days, tired as they are of my footballing soliloquies - that I feel Derby are not only sure-fire promotion candidates but, with the crafty Paul Jewell at the helm, hold the key to winning this contrary division.

Something as inane as a 3-1 League Cup win over Lincoln City this midweek might just spark their belief into life and I'm taking them not to lose at Ashton Gate in front of the Sky cameras; so lay Gary Johnson's City to roughly a [2.3] liability. That's not to say I don't think there'll be goals. Quite the opposite. A price of around [2.25] to back Over 2.5 goals seems fair to me and I'd point you in that direction.

Away from the cameras and leafing through the 11 Saturday games that precede that intriguing televised offering, Ipswich Town's trip to Burnley stands out for me - largely from the visitor's point of view.

Contrary to their scintillating home form of last term, they succumbed 2-1 against Preston North End at Portman Road last weekend - and I've got this strange feeling they might put this to bed pretty quickly. Add to that they're likely to give a début to new signing Ivan Campo - the former Bolton Wanderers fans' favourite - and the recipe's just about a right for an away win.

Not convinced? A paper-thin Burnley got hammered 4-1 by likely relegation candidates Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day, and are still short of one or two key men. Back Jim Magilton's Suffolk side to win at Turf Moor at around the [3.0] mark and, again, go for goals with Over 2.5 a must-play, in my eyes, at around the [2.1] mark to back.

In a game between two sides that started their 46-game slog with a victory, newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers host Cardiff City. The Bluebirds are often poor travellers while Sean O'Driscoll's side use the wide open spaces of their new Keepmoat Stadium. Back Donny to celebrate their impressive rise up the divisions by ringing in a home victory. The odds are around [2.55] to back a home win - and Rovers don't mind a 1-0 either, by the way. A small consideration to back that low-scoring single goal success would pay roughly [8.6] when backed.

Finally, for this high-octane weekend of Championship action, how about our focus shifting to two teams who didn't fare so well first time up. Norwich City play host to Blackpool and I envisage Simon 'Larry' Grayson's boys making life a little uncomfortable for Mr Personality, Glenn Roeder.

Memories of top-flight life are fading fast at Carrow Road and, reading their current squad list is more like a 'Who?' than a 'Who's Who'. So lay the Canaries to around [2.04]. I can genuinely see a draw or the Seasiders stowing three points on the team coach and speeding off back to Lancashire.

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