Stoke vs. Middlesbrough (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Stoke City and Middlesbrough square off at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night with both clubs having endured disappointing starts to the season.
The teams have just one win between them from their opening three fixtures, leaving them in 16th and 19th position in the Championship standings respectively.
We say: Stoke City 1-2 Middlesbrough
At some point, the likelihood is that forward lines with plenty of quality will eventually find some form, and that could be the case on Wednesday. However, we feel that there is a greater vulnerability about Stoke, leading us to predict a narrow victory for the visitors.
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Sheff Utd vs. Sunderland (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Sheffield United play host to Sunderland in the Championship on Wednesday evening with both teams having endured a mixed start to the campaign.
However, while the teams have just two victories between them from their opening three matches, they occupy ninth and sixth position respectively in the standings.
We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland
While Sunderland sit higher in the table, losing points from winning positions on two occasions will not do anything positive for their confidence. With that in mind, we are backing the Blades to come through this contest with the win, even if they are made to work for it by the visitors.
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Reading vs. Blackburn (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Reading host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Wednesday.
The visitors went top of the table after beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 on Sunday, while Reading were thrashed 4-0 by Rotherham United on Saturday.
We say: Reading 1-3 Blackburn Rovers
We can envisage the visitors running riot given their higher confidence levels and superior results of late.
Diaz and Gallagher are in great goalscoring form at present and, with Joao still out injured, Reading lack a reliable source of goals while appearing to be leaky in defence.
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West Brom vs. Cardiff (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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West Bromwich Albion play host to Cardiff City on Wednesday evening still looking for their first win in the Championship this season.
In sharp contrast, the Bluebirds make the trip to The Hawthorns having prevailed on two occasions in three games, leaving them in fifth place in the standings.
We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Cardiff City
Despite their strong start, goals are not Cardiff's strong point, and that may not stand them in good stead against a team such as West Brom who are playing on home territory. While the Baggies are having their own issues in the final third, we still feel that they will have enough quality to claim all three points.
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Ben Knapton
