Plymouth vs. Bristol City (Wednesday, 12.30pm)
![Wayne Rooney Manager of Plymouth Argyle thanks their fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road Stadium, London, on 24 August 2024 [on August 25, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/wayne-rooney.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Wayne Rooney Manager of Plymouth Argyle thanks their fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road Stadium, London, on 24 August 2024 [on August 25, 2024]")
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Bristol City will look to claim a third consecutive victory when they travel to Home Park for a New Year's Day clash against Plymouth Argyle.
Meanwhile, the Pilgrims are hoping for improved fortunes in the new year after finishing 2024 with a nine-game winless run.
We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Bristol City
Bristol City will be in high spirits after claiming back-to-back home victories, and while they have struggled to enjoy that sort of success in recent away games, we think they will do enough to condemn struggling Plymouth to a seventh defeat in eight matches.
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QPR vs. Watford (Wednesday, 12.30pm)
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Watford will kick off the new year with a short trip to Loftus Road for Wednesday's Championship clash with Queens Park Rangers.
The Hornets are sitting in seventh place in the Championship table, while QPR will head into the match in 17th position.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Watford
QPR will begin the new year with a tricky test, but they will take plenty of confidence from their recent run of three consecutive home victories.
With that in mind, we think the R's will make full use of home advantage again to claim a narrow victory over Watford at Loftus Road.
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Millwall vs. Oxford Utd (Wednesday, 1.00pm)
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Gary Rowett will look to continue his perfect start as Oxford United boss when he faces his former employers Millwall in a New Year's Day clash at The Den.
Meanwhile, Alex Neil will take charge of his first game as Millwall boss after being officially appointed as Neil Harris's successor on Monday.
We say: Millwall 1-1 Oxford United
Oxford have enjoyed the benefits of the new manager bounce, having recorded back-to-back home wins in Rowett's first two matches in charge.
However, the U's will now face a Millwall side who will be hoping to experience their own new manager bounce, and with that in mind, we think the visitors will have to settle for a share of the spoils in Wednesday's away clash.
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Burnley vs. Stoke (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
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Scott Parker's Burnley will hope to get back to winning ways in the new year when they welcome Stoke City to Turf Moor on Wednesday in their 25th Championship game of the season.
Parker's side are three points from first in third place with 48 points but were held to a 0-0 stalemate on Sunday by Middlesbrough, while Stoke are in 18th place with 25 points and are yet to appoint a permanent manger following the sacking of Narcis Pelach on December 27.
We say: Burnley 2-1 Stoke City
Given Burnley have not been particularly strong in front goal, it would not be surprising if Wednesday's match was low scoring.
However, it is difficult to overlook the hosts' strong form of late, and while Stoke did win last time out, they should come into their clash at Turf Moor as second favourites.
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Cardiff vs. Coventry (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
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Aiming to record back-to-back wins in the second tier, relegation-threatened Cardiff City will welcome Coventry City to South Wales on New Year's Day for a Championship battle.
The Bluebirds enjoyed a much-needed victory at promotion-chasing Watford on the weekend, whilst the Sky Blues played out a goalless draw with Millwall.
We say: Cardiff City 1-1 Coventry City
After a shock success at Watford on Sunday, Cardiff will be looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time since the middle of October.
The Bluebirds will fancy their chances of doing so against a Coventry side who are without the services of both Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark, but we believe that a share of the spoils will be the order of the day in South Wales.
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Leeds vs. Blackburn (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
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Leeds United's home match against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road in the Championship on Wednesday could be the catalyst for both to push for promotion to the Premier League.
The hosts lead the way by two points in the second tier and have 51 points following their 1-0 victory against Derby County on Sunday, while their opponents are in fifth place with 38 points but lost 1-0 against Hull City on December 29.
We say: Leeds United 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
Though Leeds did lose in the reverse fixture, their excellent form of late should make them strong favourites on Wednesday.
Additionally, Blackburn have not been prolific in the final third this campaign, and they could be overcome by the hosts' fervent home support.
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Luton vs. Norwich (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
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In their 25th match of the Championship season, Luton Town will hope to distance themselves from the relegation zone when they host Norwich City at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday.
The home side have 25 points and are sixth last in 19th place, four points and three places ahead of the league's three relegation spots, while the visitors are in 12th place with 30 points from 24 matchweeks and drew 1-1 with Queens Park Rangers on December 29.
We say: Luton Town 2-1 Norwich City
Considering Norwich created numerous opportunities in the final third against QPR, they should be confident of at least regularly threatening Luton's goal.
However, the visitors' away record is alarming while the hosts' form at home is impressive, and it would not be surprising if Luton narrowly defeated the Canaries.
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Portsmouth vs. Swansea (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
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Swansea City will attempt to claim a third consecutive victory when they travel to Fratton Park for Wednesday's Championship meeting with Portsmouth.
The Swans begin the new year in ninth place in the Championship table, while relegation-threatened Pompey are languishing in 23rd position.
We say: Portsmouth 1-1 Swansea City
Pompey may have lost their final two matches of 2024, but they will now return to Fratton Park where they are unbeaten in four games, and we think they will do enough to extend that undefeated streak by holding Swansea to a draw in the New Year's Day fixture.
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Sheff Weds vs. Derby (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
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Looking to bounce back following defeats last time out, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County will clash at Hillsborough in the Championship on New Year's Day.
The Owls suffered a 3-1 loss at the home of Preston North End on Sunday, whilst the Rams were beat by Leeds United, who are marching towards the Premier League.
We say: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Derby County
Seeing in the New Year in front of their passionate Hillsborough faithful, Sheffield Wednesday should be confident of putting Derby to the sword during this encounter.
The Rams have been notoriously poor on their Championship travels since returning to the division in August, and we feel that narrative will continue into 2025.
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West Brom vs. Preston (Wednesday, 3.00pm)
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Looking to secure their maiden points of 2025, West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End will lock horns at The Hawthorns for a Championship match on New Year's Day.
The Baggies have struggled on the road since a shock change in coaching staff over the festive period, whilst supporters of the Lilywhites have enjoyed plenty of Christmas cheer.
We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Preston North End
After a gritted and determined display at Sheffield United on the weekend, West Brom should be confident of starting 2025 with three points at The Hawthorns.
Preston have been impressive over the past week at Deepdale but are significantly poorer on the road, so we believe that the new calendar year will begin with a narrow defeat for the Lilywhites.
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Hull City vs. Middlesbrough (Wednesday, 5.30pm)
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Having boosted survival hopes by winning their last game of 2024, Championship strugglers Hull City will aim to take that momentum into a clash with playoff contenders Middlesbrough on New Year's Day.
The teams convene at the MKM Stadium with Boro sitting sixth and Hull just outside the drop zone.
We say: Hull City 0-1 Middlesbrough
Hull are among the lowest scorers in the Championship, and they will surely be seeking reinforcements during the January transfer window.
As a result, one goal might be enough for Middlesbrough to head home with maximum points, ending a frustrating run of draws.
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Sunderland vs. Sheff Utd (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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After both failed to end 2024 on a high, Championship promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United will convene at the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day.
While United lost top spot by drawing at home to managerless West Bromwich Albion, the Black Cats conceded late on in Stoke to suffer a rare loss.
We say: Sunderland 1-1 Sheffield United
Sunderland have scored 114 league goals in New Year's Day matches: only Bolton Wanderers (123) and Newcastle United (117) have netted more in Football League history.
Given Sheffield United's solid defensive record, that trend may be tough to maintain at the start of 2025, but one strike should be enough to take at least a point.
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Ben Knapton
