We take a look at the forthcoming televised action in the npower Championship and League 1
Live on TV this weekend is a triple whammy of Football League action that will leave most football fans watering at the mouth.
Kicking it off at 5.20pm on Saturday evening is an interesting encounter between npower League 1 sides MK Dons and Preston North End. The match at stadium:mk offers a showdown between two teams in very different runs of form.
The Dons currently sit third in the table and appear to have an automatic place in their sights as they're only three points behind second-placed Sheffield Wednesday with a far superior goal difference. Manager Karl Robinson will hope his side can continue their unbeaten home run this season which has lasted an impressive 10 games.
The home side have also won the last five games on the bounce which will undoubtedly breathe even more confidence into a team that has scored 23 times at home this campaign.
On the other hand Preston come into the match on the back of a run that has seen the Lilywhites pick up only one win in their last 11 games. It is this poor run that spelt the end for manager Phil Brown after only eleven months at the helm.
Despite an encouraging start to the campaign, form began to wane which ultimately led to the former Hull boss to be dispatched by new club Chairman Peter Ridsdale. But it does give caretaker managers Graham Alexander and David Unsworth an opportunity to impress if they can get the right result.
It isn't all doom and gloom for Preston fans as their team still have realistic hopes of making the Play-Offs, sitting just five points out of the coveted places. A nice three points could be just what is needed for a team that has really struggled in recent weeks.
Next up on Sunday is a 1pm kick off in the npower Championship which is destined to be a hotly contested affair. Fratton Park is an intimidating place for any visiting teams but throw in the fierce rivalry between the two sides it's certain to be cranked up a few notches.
The last time these clubs locked heads was a very one sided FA Cup match in February 2010 where Pompey ran out 4-1 winners at St Mary's - something Southampton will be keen to put right this time around.
The history books also show a one sided record but this certainly favours the Saints who have won 19 games, drawn eight and lost only nine against their rivals. And manager Nigel Adkins will be looking for any kind of confidence boost as his side have won just once in their last four games.
Defeats to lowly Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers plus a dramatic draw with Blackpool, courtesy of equaliser three minutes into injury from striker Ricky Lambert, have seen their commanding lead cut to just three points. It means the Saints need to start finding their form quickly if they are to stay ahead of West Ham United who sit second in the table.
But Portsmouth will be no easy game as Pompey have lost only once in their last six outings - picking up solid wins over Nottingham Forest, Coventry City and Burnley. They have also only lost twice in front of their fans this season, winning six and drawing two.
Last up is Monday night's npower Championship encounter between two teams that also harbour promotion hopes this season. A 7.45pm kick off at Selhurst Park sees Crystal Palace play host to Birmingham City which will be the 47th time they have met since January 1915.
Birmingham just edge it in the history books with 19 wins, 10 draws and 17 defeats and recent results show how tight the games have been. You have to go back to 1989 for the last time either side won by more than two goals which shows this could be another close encounter.
Fast forward to the present and Palace are still not the most prolific scorers at home. This season they have notched just nine goals at home but have proved to be a tough nut to crack for any visiting attackers. Three wins, six draws and just one defeat shows that Birmingham may have it all to do if they want go home with the three points.
The Blues have two games in hand on most teams in the Championship and will be keen to maximise them to help improve their current league position of 13th. Birmingham will be hoping the three days' rest from their European exploits against Malmo on Thursday will be enough to recuperate for a further domestic challenge.
Boss Chris Hughton has seen his side pick up just eight points out of a possible 18 which could be seen as the ill-fated hangover from the extra games.
For the full list of televised games please click here
