The Championship continued on Saturday afternoon with fifty eight minute Bristol City substitute Callum O’Dowda providing the assist for the only goal to defeat their hosts Birmingham City. Alan Judge was introduced from the substitute bench for Brentford at half time but could not prevent his side going down to a three two defeat by visitors Swansea City at Griffin Park. Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph was seeking to redeem the demons of last weekend but visitors Blackburn Rovers, with Derrick Williams starting and the fit again Darragh Lenihan on the bench, held them to a one all draw at the Riverside Stadium. Millwall included Aiden O’Brien in their starting eleven for the visit of Hull City to the New Den and he scored in their two all draw. Alan Browne started and substitute Graham Burke got three minutes for Preston North End who scored the only goal to defeat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Richie Towell started and scored for Rotherham United who earned a point from a two all draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Anthony Forde also started but Ryan Manning remained unused on the bench. James McClean was a seventieth minute substitute for Stoke City who defeated bottom side Ipswich Town by two goals to nil at the bet365 Stadium. Richard Keogh was in the Derby County side which scored the only goal for victory at Wigan Athletic. The late kick-off saw Reading, who dispensed with manager Paul Clement earlier this week, go down to a two nil defeat by visitors Sheffield United who included a quartet of players who may be involved in Mick McCarthy’s first international squad of his second period at the helm. John Egan and Enda Stevens have been in recent squads while David McGoldrick is expected to return to the fold with recently flagged target Jack O’Connell also under consideration. Ireland Assistant Manager Robbie Keane was in attendance at the Madejski Stadium.
League One leaders Portsmouth included Ronan Curtis in their starting eleven for their two nil victory over visitors Southend United.