Rivalries renewed in bumper Championship midweek

Former England international team-mates Scott Parker and Wayne Rooney lock horns on Tuesday

The Championship season might only be seven games old but already the nip-and-tuck nature of the division is prevalent once again.

League leaders West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland both lost at the weekend while Blackburn and Leeds were the only top-six sides to pick up victory.

Tightly contested promotion and relegation battles are starting to take shape and there is a bumper midweek round of fixtures upon us.

A few rivalries will be renewed, so here's the pick of what you've got to look forward to on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Farke visits familiar friends

Daniel Farke has won his previous two games against Norwich as Leeds manager

Daniel Farke is no stranger to Carrow Road having spent four years in the dugout there, including guiding Norwich City to the Premier League in 2019 and 2021.

The German's first return to his old club served up plenty of drama last season as Leeds came from two goals behind to win 3-2.

Leeds also beat Norwich 1-0 at Elland Road in January, meaning the Canaries are still yet to get the better of their former manager.

Norwich's new head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has never faced Farke and both sides are aiming to make it three wins in a row, so something has to give in Norfolk.

Parker faces old pal Rooney

Scott Parker and Wayne Rooney have one victory apiece as opposition head coaches in two previous meetings

These two go way back. Scott Parker replaced Wayne Rooney as a substitute to make his England international debut against Denmark in November 2003.

They went on to play together for the Three Lions at Euro 2012 but on Tuesday the two will face-off as opposing managers for just the third time when Burnley host Plymouth Argyle.

The last time the pair met was in the 2021-22 Championship season when Parker was in charge of Bournemouth and Rooney was at Derby, with each coming out on top in their home fixtures.

After a difficult start to his Argyle tenure, Rooney has steadied the ship at Home Park, picking up two wins in the past three games, including an impressive 3-1 victory against Luton on Friday.

Burnley's quest to bounce straight back into the top flight has started well, with four wins from seven, and this promises to be a fascinating encounter at Turf Moor.

Unbeaten Rovers aiming high

John Eustace's Blackburn and Sheffield United are the only two teams still unbeaten in the Championship

Blackburn Rovers are one of only two sides to remain unbeaten in the Championship this season, picking up four wins and three draws.

Head coach John Eustace returns to the club where it all started for him as a player to take on a Coventry side without a win in five games and lingering just above the drop zone.

Victory for Blackburn could put them top of the table, depending on West Brom's result against Middlesbrough and the outcome of Sunderland's game with Derby.

Mark Robins led his Sky Blues side to a ninth-place finish last season and they were on the cusp of promotion the previous year, but fell short on penalties in the play-off final.

It's been a difficult start to this campaign but the glimmer of hope for Coventry is that Rovers are yet to win away from home.

Coventry are also unbeaten in their past seven league meetings with Blackburn and have won the previous two home head-to-heads 1-0. Will the visitors end their mini-Sky Blue hoodoo on Tuesday?

Pelach and Pompey looking for first win

Narcis Pelach and John Mousinho are still looking for their first wins of the season at Stoke and Portsmouth respectively

Narcis Pelach's start to life as Stoke City boss has not gone to plan so far.

The Potters followed up a 3-1 defeat at home by Hull City in Pelach's first game in charge with a disappointing 2-0 loss at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

It means Stoke have now lost three games in a row and sit just two places and one point above the relegation zone.

Their opponents on Wednesday are also struggling upon their return to the Championship for the first time in 12 years.

Portsmouth have endured a tough set of opening fixtures, playing all three of the teams relegated from the Premier League and three of last season's Championship top eight in the first seven games.

Pompey are still seeking their first win of the campaign, while Pelach is still in search of both a first point and his first victory as Stoke head coach.

Midweek fixtures

Tuesday, 1 October (19:45 BST unless stated)

Burnley v Plymouth Argyle

Cardiff City v Millwall

Coventry City v Blackburn Rovers

Luton Town v Oxford United

Norwich City v Leeds United

Queens Park Rangers v Hull City

Sunderland v Derby County

West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough (20:00)

Wednesday, 2 October (19:45 BST unless stated)

Preston North End v Watford

Sheffield United v Swansea City

Stoke City v Portsmouth

Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday (20:00)