Soccer
Championship Picks and talking points for Matchday 26 - Derby day in Lancashire
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The relentless festive programme in the Championship continues this weekend, with a full fixture list from the second tier.
The holiday period has been full of drama at both ends of the table, with some notable managerial changes mixed in to add to the fun.
Here's a look a what to watch out for this weekend.
The talking point
As usual, at this time of the year, it's the managerial merry-go-round that's taking all the headlines. And this weekend, we will see yet another new boss take charge of his first game.
Following Alex Neil's bow with Millwall on New Year's Day, Mark Robins makes his Championship return as the new manager of Stoke City. Robins, who was sacked as manager of Coventry last month, takes over with the Potters in 19th place, and his first game will see Wayne Rooney-less Plymouth visit the bet365 Stadium.
Upon his appointment, Robins targeted Premier League football and is relishing the job at hand at Stoke. He said: "They are die-hard Stoke City supporters, and the Stoke supporters - I'm really looking forward to working for them. I think it's a really good fit for me."
The pick of the weekend
Blackburn Rovers vs. Burnley
One of the league's underrated derbies, there's a proper rivalry between Lancashire sides Blackburn and Burnley.
Scott Parker's side will head into the game unbeaten since the loss to Millwall at the start of November, but their failure to find the net on a more regular basis - they've had three goalless draws in their last six - is halting their promotion charge. To help aid that cause, former Claret Ashley Barnes has rejoined the club this week and could make his second debut at Ewood Park.
Rovers sit outside the top six, after nicking a point off Leeds on New Year's Day and could fuel their play-off hopes with a win over their rivals.
This weekend's fixtures
Saturday, January 4 (3 p.m. unless stated)
- Blackburn Rovers vs. Burnley (12.30 p.m.)
- Stoke City vs. Plymouth Argyle (12.30 p.m.)
- Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion (12.30 p.m.)
- Bristol City vs. Derby County
- Hull City vs. Leeds United
- Middlesbrough vs. Cardiff City
- Norwich City vs. Coventry City
- Preston North End vs. Oxford United
- Sheffield Wednesday vs. Millwall
- Watford vs. Sheffield Untied
Sunday, January 5
- Sunderland vs. Portsmouth
Monday, January 6
- Queens Park Rangers vs. Luton Town (8.00 p.m.)
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