Three clubs, six derbies as Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham collide in second tier

After two seasons together at the bottom level, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham were reunited – this time in the third tier – for a couple of seasons in the mid-1990s.

And now, after more than three decades, they are together again.

“Three Welsh teams in the Championship… it’s enormous for the country,” said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

“There’s a mini-league going on [in Wales].”

Wrexham came out on top last season, finishing four places above Swansea in 11th.

Bookmakers make Parkinson’s men favourites to finish as Wales’ top club once more, with the Red Dragons tipped to push for a play-off place, Swansea in the middle of the pack and Cardiff among those with the longest promotion odds in the division.

Brian Barry-Murphy reckons his team are capable of surprising the doubters – though the Cardiff head coach brushed off questions about the fight to be Welsh football’s leading club before Monday’s mouthwatering curtain-raiser against Wrexham.

“We just want to do really well this season and try to get off to a good start on Monday,” he said.

Barry-Murphy was then reminded that when he took charge last summer, he described Cardiff as the biggest club in Wales.

“Cardiff feels like the biggest club in the world to me,” he said in response.

“When I’m here the energy from the supporters is incredible.

“Hopefully on Monday you’ll see an atmosphere that befits the stadium and the club and we’ll try to do our part by producing a performance that gives us a chance to win.”