Coventry vs. Watford (Saturday, 12.30pm)
© Reuters
Coventry City and Watford will both be aiming to bounce back from defeats earlier in the week when they meet at St Andrew's on Saturday.
The Sky Blues were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday to get dragged back into the Championship relegation mix, while the Hornets lost by the same scoreline against Queens Park Rangers on Monday to slip to fifth.
We say: Coventry City 1-2 Watford
Xisco will hope that a change in system breathes new life into his players as on their day the Watford squad should have far too much quality for a team like Coventry. However, the Sky Blues have held their own in the Championship this season and will not be beaten easily.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Bournemouth vs. Birmingham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Bournemouth begin life without Jason Tindall with a home fixture against Birmingham City in the Championship.
While the Cherries have recorded four successive defeats in the second tier, Blues head into Saturday's encounter on the back of three games without a win.
We say: Bournemouth 2-0 Birmingham City
With the chasing pack closing in on Bournemouth, Woodgate knows that he needs to get a reaction out of his side. Despite Blues having a strong record away at the top clubs this season, we are backing the Cherries to run out comfortable winners against their relegation-threatened opponents.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barnsley vs. Derby (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Barnsley welcome Derby County to Oakwell on Saturday, with the hosts looking to put an end to a five-match winless run in the Championship.
Wayne Rooney's side will be looking to return to winning ways in this match, after a 3-0 loss to Rotherham United on Wednesday put an end to their run of three consecutive wins in the league.
We say: Barnsley 1-1 Derby County
We see this game being very closely fought, between two sides keen to put a win on the board for different reasons.
While Derby may come in with more confidence, the loss of Bielik is a major one, and this could allow Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt more space to dictate the game from midfield. We predict Kazim-Richards and Woodrow will each secure a point for their side with goals in this encounter.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Bristol City vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Bristol City welcome Cardiff City to Ashton Gate for the Severnside derby on Saturday, with both sides struggling to find form in the Championship.
Cardiff have begun to show positive signs recently since Mick McCarthy's appointment as manager, coming back in their last two games to seal draws, while the home side have lost consecutive league games leading up to this encounter.
We say: Bristol City 1-2 Cardiff City
We can see Cardiff getting a much-needed win in this game, taking advantage of a Bristol City side lacking form, as the Bluebirds look to ensure that they avoid slipping any closer to the battle at the bottom of the Championship.
We expect Kieffer Moore to feature on the scoresheet once again, helping drive his side to a narrow victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Luton vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Huddersfield Town square off against Luton Town on Saturday afternoon looking to end a five-match winless streak in the Championship.
The Hatters, who sit a point ahead of the next visitors to Kenilworth Road, are in 13th position after suffering back-to-back defeats.
We say: Luton Town 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Despite both teams occupying mid-table positions, we expect a nervy affair at Kenilworth Road. With Huddersfield needing to find something extra in both areas of the pitch, the Hatters are most likely to prevail in this contest, potentially by the narrowest of scorelines.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Middlesbrough vs. Brentford (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Brentford face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten Championship record to 20 matches.
While the Bees sit within four points of leaders Norwich City, Boro are two points outside of the top six after three games without success.
We say: Middlesbrough 1-2 Brentford
Taking their cup fixtures into consideration, there may be a time when Brentford's schedule catches up with them. However, we do not expect it to be this weekend, and the Bees' extra quality in the final third could prove decisive in this contest.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Millwall vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Millwall welcome Sheffield Wednesday to The Den on Saturday in Championship action, with the visitors looking to continue their good run of form, having won four of their last five league matches.
Meanwhile, Millwall come into this game having drawn their last three Championship games, most recently holding league leaders Norwich City to a goalless draw.
We say: Millwall 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Although Millwall are very difficult to beat, especially at The Den, they come up against a Sheffield Wednesday side full of confidence and carrying major momentum as they look to overcome their points deduction and escape the drop zone. We can see the visitors coming out of a cagey affair with a narrow win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Preston vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Rotherham United will be aiming to move out of the Championship relegation zone when they travel to Preston North End on Saturday.
The Millers are 22nd and just two points adrift of safety following a recent upturn in form, while the hosts sit in mid-table obscurity in 11th.
We say: Preston North End 1-1 Rotherham United
Rotherham are gathering momentum in their fight against relegation, and they will be confident of taking something from this game, particularly given Preston's woes at home. The Lilywhites need a result to keep their playoff hopes alive, though, so we think it will end level at Deepdale.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
QPR vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Blackburn Rovers will have the Championship top six in their sights when they travel to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Rovers are currently in eighth and just three points off the playoff positions, while QPR sit in 17th position, four points above the relegation zone.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
Both teams will be eager to continue their recent good form so a tightly-contested match should await. However, Blackburn's tight defence, combined with QPR's poor record on home turf, makes us think that the visitors will take the points here.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Stoke vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Stoke City will be looking to resurrect their playoff hopes when they host high-flying Reading in the Championship on Saturday.
Having started 2021 in seventh position, the Potters have suffered a poor run of form and have slipped down to 10th, while the Royals are currently in fourth spot.
We say: Stoke City 0-1 Reading
This game could prove decisive for both teams in terms of the rest of the season and that may lead to a tense match decided by one goal. Reading will have taken confidence from their win over Bournemouth, and the Royals are keen to continue their 'payback month', so we are backing the visitors for the win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Wycombe vs. Nott'm Forest (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Wycombe Wanderers play host to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon sitting 12 points adrift of safety in the Championship standings.
Meanwhile, Forest make the trip to Adams Park on the back of an excellent 2-1 win at Coventry City, a result which has moved the club into 19th position.
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-3 Nottingham Forest
While Wycombe can ill-afford any more defeats at this stage of the season, they are also aware that draws against their relegation rivals are not enough. With that in mind, we think Forest will take advantage, particularly in the second half when the home side will have to throw caution to the wind.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
