As the English Championship continues to heat up, Matchday 5 promises an exciting slate of fixtures from 19th to 26th August 2025.
Friday night’s clash sees Derby County hosting Bristol City at Pride Park. Both teams are looking for crucial points early in the season; Derby, after a slow start, will be eager to capitalize on home advantage against a Bristol side that has shown promise in recent weeks.
The Saturday fixtures kick off early with Charlton Athletic welcoming Leicester City at 11:30. Leicester, one of the pre-season favourites for promotion, will aim to maintain their unbeaten run against a Charlton side still searching for their first victory of the season.
Simultaneously, Hull City faces Blackburn Rovers, and Swansea City takes on Watford. Both matches will be vital for teams looking to establish momentum as the battle for playoff positions begins to take shape.
The 14:00 kick-offs feature several intriguing matchups: Birmingham City will host Oxford United, while Coventry City faces Queens Park Rangers in a clash that could have implications for relegation. Norwich City’s encounter with Middlesbrough is also pivotal, with both teams keen to avoid slipping into the lower half of the table.
Preston North End will look to build on their strong start against Ipswich Town, while Sheffield United hosts Millwall in a bid to propel themselves into the playoff spots. Southampton, facing Stoke City, will be aiming for a return to winning ways to solidify their promotion credentials.
West Bromwich Albion’s clash with Portsmouth and Wrexham versus Sheffield Wednesday round off a packed Saturday, with each team having its own narrative in the early stages of the season. As we approach the end of August, the Championship remains as competitive as ever, making every fixture a potential turning point.