Bristol City vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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With the two sides currently level on points in the Championship standings, the latest edition of the Severnside derby will see Bristol City host Cardiff City at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon.
The Robins are aiming to respond following back-to-back defeats in the league, while the Bluebirds will be looking to build on a much-needed success over Stoke City last time out.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Cardiff City
Despite some unacceptable results since the turn of the calendar year, Bristol City have shown the ability to rise to the big occasion at Ashton Gate, and we feel that the Robins could repeat the trick on Saturday.
Cardiff's win over struggling Stoke last time out was much needed, but we believe it does not signal a long-term change in fortunes for the Bluebirds during the remainder of the season.
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Huddersfield vs. Leeds (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Both aiming to continue pleasing runs in their respective fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United will square off in a West Yorkshire Derby at the John Smith's Stadium.
The visitors currently sit second but only lead Ipswich Town on goal difference, while their hosts have a two-point lead over the relegation zone and made a winning start under new management last weekend.
We say: Huddersfield Town 1-3 Leeds United
Given their recent form and the need for results to stay above the drop zone, Huddersfield Town are bound to make it tough for their West Yorkshire rivals on home turf, but Leeds should have too much quality for the Terriers, and we back Farke's free-scoring side to continue their winning run at the weekend.
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Birmingham vs. Southampton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Aiming to move away from relegation fears near the foot of the Championship standings, Birmingham City will welcome promotion-chasing Southampton to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Saturday afternoon.
Blues were deservedly beaten at Ipswich Town last weekend, whereas the Saints exited the FA Cup at the hands of Premier League Liverpool on Wednesday night.
We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Southampton
Birmingham are weaker without manager Mowbray in the dugout, but Blues always make a good fight of it against the division's biggest teams at St Andrew's.
Southampton desperately need a positive result to get back on track for automatic promotion, and we believe that the Saints will narrowly get over the line in the Second City.
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Leicester vs. QPR (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Leicester City play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from suffering successive defeats in the Championship.
At a time when the Foxes hold a six-point lead at the top of the standings, QPR have finally moved outside of the relegation zone after back-to-back wins.
We say: Leicester City 3-1 Queens Park Rangers
Given the contrasting league form of the two teams, QPR will feel that they have the opportunity to become the latest team to overcome the Foxes. However, Maresca's side can only have benefitted from defeating Bournemouth, leading us to predict a hard-earned home victory.
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Millwall vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Looking to fight their way out of trouble at the foot of the Championship standings, Millwall will welcome mid-table dwellers Watford to The Den on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions produced a standout performance and result at the home of Southampton last time out, while the Hornets were bested by Huddersfield Town at Vicarage Road.
We say: Millwall 1-0 Watford
A sold-out Den will give returning coach Harris a resounding reception on Saturday afternoon, and we feel that a hostile home crowd could push Millwall towards victory.
Watford's season has stalled in recent weeks, and we are expecting another tough Championship contest for the Hornets this weekend in the capital.
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Norwich vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Aiming to burst into the top six of the league standings, an in-form Norwich City will host stuttering Sunderland at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
The Canaries shared the spoils with Blackburn Rovers during their last match, while the Black Cats' struggles continued at home to Swansea City.
We say: Norwich City 3-1 Sunderland
Despite dropping two points at Blackburn last weekend, Norwich are still in brilliant form and should be confident of potentially breaking into the top six on Saturday.
Sunderland are in a real rut as they battle on without their star man Clarke and a permanent manager, so we are not expecting much from the Black Cats at Carrow Road.
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Plymouth vs. Ipswich (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Ipswich Town will be looking to make it five successive wins in the Championship when they travel to face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.
At a time when the visitors sit level on points with second-placed Leeds United, Plymouth are 15th in the table, albeit just five points above the bottom three.
We say: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Ipswich Town
On the back of returning to winning ways last time out, the pressure has eased somewhat on Plymouth. Nevertheless, with Ipswich back to showing their ruthless touch from earlier in the season, the visitors should do enough to earn another win here.
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Preston vs. Hull City (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Preston North End and Hull City square off at Deepdale on Saturday with both teams very much involved in the Championship promotion race.
While the in-form home side are eighth in the standings, the visitors are in sixth position after putting together an impressive run of their own.
We say: Preston North End 2-1 Hull City
This has all the makings of one of the most competitive fixtures in the EFL this weekend, it difficult to predict a winner with any great certainty. Although a draw would not come as a surprise, we feel that Preston are most likely to continue on their way and move level on points with their opponents.
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Rotherham vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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The bottom two teams in the Championship table will do battle in a South Yorkshire Derby at the New York Stadium on Saturday, as Rotherham United welcome Sheffield Wednesday.
Rooted to the foot of the division, the hosts are 13 points adrift of their 23rd-placed visitors, who are now within three points of safety thanks to an impressive upturn in form in recent weeks.
We say: Rotherham United 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Rotherham are devoid of any momentum and much remaining hope in the fight for survival, while the Owls boast more quality and have far more fight at the bottom end of the Championship.
We can only envisage Sheffield Wednesday extending their impressive run with a dominant display against a struggling Millers side.
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Stoke vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Stoke City play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon with the club having dropped into the Championship relegation zone.
At a time when the Potters sit in 22nd position in the standings, Middlesborough are in 13th spot, albeit seemingly with little to play for unless they put together a sustained winning streak.
We say: Stoke City 1-2 Middlesbrough
At some point, the feeling may be that Stoke's array of talent will finally return to form, and facing a side like Boro represents the ideal opportunity. However, we are backing Carrick's inconsistent side to take advantage of playing with less pressure to prevail at the bet365 Stadium.
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Swansea vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Swansea City and Blackburn Rovers square off in South Wales on Saturday afternoon each looking for a win that will ease their lingering relegation concerns.
Although these teams sit in 17th and 16th spot in the Championship standings respectively, they are only four points above the bottom three.
We say: Swansea City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
While Swansea could build on the win at Sunderland, Blackburn can only benefit from how they pushed Newcastle all the way in midweek. Depending on how fresh that they feel after extra time and penalties, we are backing Rovers to come out on top and move closer to securing safety in the second tier.
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Ben Knapton
