Championship predictions: Steve Bruce up against it against Daniel Farke’s Norwich while Britt Assombalonga heads back to Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa chief has come under fire from his own fans following a dismal start to the season - and is in for another tough test at home to improving Canaries
IN his own words, Steve Bruce has had an "awful week" after poor defeats at Cardiff and Reading.
Aston Villa's travelling supporters made their feelings known at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night with a chorus of boos after the Royals netted their second goal.
Should the Midlands giants slip to defeat at home to Norwich, the heat really could be on for Brucie.
Our EFL reporter TOM BARCLAY casts his predictions on the big game at Villa park as well as the rest of the Championship fixtures this weekend - with odds provided by division sponsors .
FRIDAY
Burton v Birmingham
NIGEL CLOUGH'S men keep shooting themselves in the foot with red cards, having had two in their opening three league games which have all been defeats.
But Brum look short of goals and I fancy the Brewers to get their first point against Harry Redknapp's side.
Prediction: 1-1.
SATURDAY
Sheffield United v Barnsley
HOME form will be crucial for Chris Wilder's men this campaign - and winning these type of matches is crucial.
Billy Sharp is the only Blade to net this season and he could well be at it again against a leaky-looking Tykes backline.
Prediction: 1-0.
Aston Villa v Norwich
STEVE BRUCE needs a result badly - but his side look really poor at the moment.
Add in the fact he is missing injured strikers Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan, and this could be a very difficult afternoon for the 56-year-old indeed.
Prediction: 0-1.
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Bolton v Derby
GARY ROWETT pulled off a big signing this week in the form of Tom Lawrence, who was fantastic on loan at Ipswich last term.
Bolton have been solid so far on their return to the second tier, but a bit of debut magic from Lawrence would not come as a surprise.
Prediction: 0-1.
Bristol City v Millwall
NEIL HARRIS must be tearing his hair out. After unlucky results against Nottingham Forest and Bolton where his side looked very solid, the Millwall boss then saw the team ship FOUR at home to Ipswich.
It does not get any easier at Ashton Gate, with midfielder-turned-striker Bobby Reid looking lethal in front of goal this season.
Prediction: 2-1.
Fulham v Sheffield Wednesday
NEITHER side have had a good start to the campaign with both yet to win in the league.
Fulham were hit with the blow of losing Lucas Piazon to a broken leg but have brought in exciting winger Sheyi Ojo on loan from Liverpool, and I think they will have just enough here.
Prediction: 2-1.
Ipswich v Brentford
WHO would have tipped Ipswich to have won all of their first three games?
Probably not even boss Mick McCarthy, who admits his side have had some good luck so far, while Brentford have had the opposite. Both sides look capable of finding the back of the net right now.
Prediction: 2-2.
Nottingham Forest v Middlesbrough
BRITT ASSOMBALONGA returns to the City Ground for the first time since his big-money switch to Boro this summer.
He arrives having found the net for the first time for his new club - twice, in fact, against Burton - but Forest have looked equally lively in front of goal so far this term.
Prediction: 1-1.
Preston v Reading
NORTH END look very solid under Alex Neil, if not particularly prolific.
Jaap Stam's Reading divide opinion with their possession obsession and I cannot see encounter taking up too much space on the highlights reel.
Prediction: 0-0.
QPR v Hull
I LIKE the look of Leonid Slutsky's side from what they have offered up so far.
But they suffered a huge blow with the loss of Abel Hernandez to long-term injury and so could struggle against a stubborn Ian Holloway team.
Prediction: 2-1.
Wolves v Cardiff
AT least one of these sides will lose their 100 per cent record on Saturday.
Neil Warnock's Bluebirds have looked outstanding defensively so far but Wolves' results over Middlesbrough, Derby and Hull mean they are the most impressive team in the division so far.
Prediction: 2-1.
Sunderland v Leeds
SIMON GRAYSON has been a breath of fresh air at Sunderland.
He comes up against his old side Leeds and with James Vaughan and Lewis Grabban proving a handful up top, the good times can keep on rolling.
Prediction: 1-0.