Cardiff City v Bradford – KO 15:00, Saturday 20

The high-flying Bluebirds take on second-placed Bradford in an early League One six-pointer.

Cardiff defender Will Fish told the media that the fixture “won’t define our season,” whatever the result — but that won’t stop supporters from building the game up as an opportunity for Brian Barry-Murphy’s men to make a statement.

The Bluebirds are sitting pretty at the top of League One, having played one game fewer than their nearest rivals.

Despite their undefeated start to the season in all competitions, Barry-Murphy revealed Cardiff owner Vincent Tan is demanding more goals from his youthful side.

He said: “He’s a tough boss. He wants things done the way he expects. Obviously, he’s enjoying the games, but he wants more — as we all do.

“He always wants more goals and fewer conceded, which is obviously my job. If I do it well enough, he’ll be happy. If I don’t, he won’t be.”

Bradford travel to the Cardiff City Stadium after a remarkable start to the season, which has surprised even the most loyal Bantams supporters.

They’ve lost just one game in all competitions and secured an impressive 3-0 away win over Championship side Stoke City.

 

Birmingham v Swansea – KO 12:30, Saturday 20

Swansea City are riding high after their dramatic midweek win over Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup.

Alan Sheehan’s side currently sit just one point and one place outside the Championship play-off positions, and following this week’s giant-killing, the Swans boss isn’t looking to manage expectations.

He said: “I’m not one to put water on the fire. I’m probably more a guy who puts petrol on it.

I’m not going to dampen what people want to believe because I won’t shy away from it. We want to improve on last year.

“We’re building something — I do believe that.”

Those ambitions are shared by recent £6m acquisition Adam Idah, who spoke to the media about what drew him to a move to South Wales.

He said: “I spoke to Darren [O’Dea], who was at Celtic, and to the manager — and that’s the big aim: to get back to the Premier League.

It’s always something I said I wanted to do — to go back there, because it’s the best league in the world. Coming to a club like Swansea is a great step for me to do it.”

The Swans travel to Birmingham, who have had a mixed start to their first season back in the second tier, currently sitting mid-table in the Championship.

 

Norwich v Wrexham – KO 15:00, Saturday 20

Wrexham travel to Norwich with under-fire boss Phil Parkinson insisting there have been no discussions about his future, despite his side’s tough start to life back in the Championship.

Languishing in 21st place — just two points above the relegation zone — it’s not quite the Hollywood return to the second tier fans would have hoped for.

Parkinson says he is “unaware” of any speculation surrounding his future at the Stok Cae Ras.

He said: “There were no discussions at all after the game.

“We were just frustrated as a staff and had a chat with the players — but it was only a brief one, and we picked things up again on Monday morning.”

Norwich, meanwhile, are also hoping to make a push for the top six, currently sitting 10th with seven points from their opening five games.

 

Newport v Gillingham – KO 15:00, Saturday 20

Newport County face a tough task this weekend as they look to reverse their poor start to the season against undefeated Gillingham.

The Exiles are only above the drop zone on goal difference going into the fixture, with many fans growing frustrated — something chairman Huw Jenkins says he “understands.”

The visitors are currently second in League Two and have conceded the joint-fewest goals in the division.

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