Championship Preview: Simon Grayson faces former employers Leeds United

Whenever rivals meet there is always passion. However when your former manager is now in charge of your rivals, the game becomes even more important. This will be the case when Leeds travel to play rivals Huddersfield, as ex-Leeds manager Simon Grayson is now in charge of the Terriers.

We look ahead to this match, the other standout games and the players to watch this week in the Championship…

Huddersfield manager Simon Grayson

MATCH OF THE WEEK

Huddersfield v Leeds United

A West Yorkshire derby with added spice given both are just a few good results away from the play-offs and Simon Grayson, the ex-Leeds manager, will be facing his former employers for the first time since his departure.

Huddersfield will be looking to put their 3-0 away defeat at Middlesbrough behind them, which now means they have taken just one point from their last three games.

The loss leaves the Terriers in eleventh, but just four points away from the play-off places.

Meanwhile Leeds come off the back of two impressive home wins against Leicester and Crystal Palace.

Luciano Becchio scored in both games to take his goal tally to 12 for the season and proved how crucial he is to their promotion ambitions.

Leeds are currently in fifteenth but only six points outside the play-off positions.

OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES

Leicester v Derby – Despite both counting Nottingham Forest as their main rival, these two have a strong mutual disliking of each other. Leicester have slipped to fourth following a 1-0 midweek loss at Leeds. Meanwhile, Derby’s form is inconsistent with four points from the last 12 available.

Cardiff v Sheff Wed – With ten points from their last four games, Cardiff have surged back to the top of the league. Dave Jones will return to the Cardiff City Stadium, where he had so much success, with a team which has lost its last five games and conceded 12 goals in the process. Crucial match for both, but for different reasons.

CRUNCH MATCH

Burnley v Blackburn

With just 11 miles between them, three points from the East Lancashire derby would taste that little sweeter.

The last time these two teams met was in the 2009/2010 Premier League season when Blackburn won 1-0 at Turf Moor. The Clarets will be desperate to avenge that defeat.

Burnley’s form is inconsistent with ten points from their last six games since new manager Sean Dyche took charge.

Blackburn are also experiencing difficulties under new manager Henning Berg, losing their last two games to Bolton and Millwall.

Players and fans will be fired up for this Sunday clash.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Charlie Austin

With 21 goals from 21 games this season for Burnley, Austin is the most prolific striker in the division. The frontman is quick, has a good work-rate and an outstanding ability to sniff out chances.

He scored last time out as the Clarets secured a 1-1 draw against Barnsley. It took only five minutes for Austin to get himself on the score sheet, as he headed home from a corner.

The striker had not scored in his previous three matches, so the goal should give him confidence going into a tough run of fixtures.

Burnley, who currently lie in fourteenth, have a home fixture against rivals Blackburn and then face a tricky away fixture at Nottingham Forest. Austin will be looking to increase his goal tally and push the Clarets closer to the play-off places, which are just five points away.

FIXTURES

Friday 30th November 2012

Birmingham v Middlesbrough 7.45pm

Saturday 1st December 2012

Huddersfield v Leeds United 12.30pm

Bolton v Ipswich 3pm

Bristol City v Wolves 3pm

Crystal Palace v Brighton 3pm

Millwall v Charlton 3pm

Nottingham Forest v Hull 3pm

Peterborough v Blackpool 3pm

Watford v Barnsley 3pm

Leicester v Derby 5.20pm

Sunday 2nd December 2012

Burnley v Blackburn 12.30pm

Cardiff v Sheff Wed 3pm

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  2-4 to Leeds. MOT and the run continues!